Raven and The Philosophy Of Composition

<h2 id='Raven' class='c005'>The Raven</h2></div> <div class='figcenter id001'> <ANTIMG src='images/i_033.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /></div> <div class='lg-container-l c008'> <div class='raven'> <div class='line'><span class="firstchar"><ANTIMG src='images/i_035.jpg' alt='O' /><span class="hidden">O</span></span>nce upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,</div> <div class='line'>Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore—</div> <div class='line'>While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,</div> <div class='line'>As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.</div> <div class='line'>“’Tis some visitor,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door—</div> <div class='line in4'>Only this and nothing more.”</div> </div> <div class='raven'> <div class='line'><span class="firstchar"><ANTIMG src='images/i_037.jpg' alt='A' /><span class="hidden">A</span></span>h, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,</div> <div class='line'>And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.</div> <div class='line'>Eagerly I wished the morrow;—vainly I had sought to borrow</div> <div class='line'>From my books surcease of sorrow—sorrow for the lost Lenore—</div> <div class='line'>For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore—</div> <div class='line in4'>Nameless here for evermore.</div> </div></div> <div class='figcenter id002'> <ANTIMG src='images/i_039.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> <div class='ic005'> <p><em>Copyright 1906 by The Harwell-Evans Co.</em></p> </div> </div> <div class='lg-container-l c008'> <div class='raven'> <div class='line'><span class="firstchar"><ANTIMG src='images/i_041.jpg' alt='A' /><span class="hidden">A</span></span>nd the silken, sad, uncertain rustling of each purple curtain</div> <div class='line'>Thrilled me—filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;</div> <div class='line'>So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating</div> <div class='line'>“’Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door—</div> <div class='line'>Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door;—</div> <div class='line in4'>This it is and nothing more.”</div> </div> <div class='raven'> <div class='line'><span class="firstchar"><ANTIMG src='images/i_043.jpg' alt='P' /><span class="hidden">P</span></span>resently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,</div> <div class='line'>“Sir,” said I, “or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;</div> <div class='line'>But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,</div> <div class='line'>And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,</div> <div class='line'>That I scarce was sure I heard you”—here I opened wide the door;—</div> <div class='line in4'>Darkness there and nothing more.</div> </div></div> <div class='figcenter id002'> <ANTIMG src='images/i_045.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> <div class='ic005'> <p><em>Copyright 1906 by The Harwell-Evans Co.</em></p> </div> </div> <div class='lg-container-l c008'> <div class='raven'> <div class='line'><span class="firstchar"><ANTIMG src='images/i_047.jpg' alt='D' /><span class="hidden">D</span></span>eep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,</div> <div class='line'>Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before;</div> <div class='line'>But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,</div> <div class='line'>And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, “Lenore!”</div> <div class='line'>This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, “Lenore!”</div> <div class='line in4'>Merely this and nothing more.</div> </div> <div class='raven'> <div class='line'><span class="firstchar"><ANTIMG src='images/i_049.jpg' alt='B' /><span class="hidden">B</span></span>ack into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,</div> <div class='line'>Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.</div> <div class='line'>“Surely,” said I, “surely that is something at my window lattice;</div> <div class='line'>Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore—</div> <div class='line'>Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;—</div> <div class='line in4'>’Tis the wind and nothing more.”</div> </div></div> <div class='figcenter id002'> <ANTIMG src='images/i_051.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> <div class='ic005'> <p><em>Copyright 1906 by The Harwell-Evans Co.</em></p> </div> </div> <div class='lg-container-l c008'> <div class='raven'> <div class='line'><span class="firstchar"><ANTIMG src='images/i_053.jpg' alt='O' /><span class="hidden">O</span></span>pen here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,</div> <div class='line'>In there stepped a stately Raven of the saintly days of yore.</div> <div class='line'>Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;</div> <div class='line'>But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door—</div> <div class='line'>Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door—</div> <div class='line in4'>Perched, and sat, and nothing more.</div> </div> <div class='raven'> <div class='line'><span class="firstchar"><ANTIMG src='images/i_055.jpg' alt='T' /><span class="hidden">T</span></span>hen this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,</div> <div class='line'>By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,</div> <div class='line'>“Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,” I said, “art sure no craven,</div> <div class='line'>Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore—</div> <div class='line'>Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night’s Plutonian shore!”</div> <div class='line in4'>Quoth the Raven, “Nevermore.”</div> </div></div> <div class='figcenter id002'> <ANTIMG src='images/i_057.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> <div class='ic005'> <p><em>Copyright 1906 by The Harwell-Evans Co.</em></p> </div> </div> <div class='lg-container-l c008'> <div class='raven'> <div class='line'><span class="firstchar"><ANTIMG src='images/i_059.jpg' alt='M' /><span class="hidden">M</span></span>uch I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,</div> <div class='line'>Though its answer little meaning—little relevancy bore;</div> <div class='line'>For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being</div> <div class='line'>Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door—</div> <div class='line'>Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,</div> <div class='line in4'>With such name as “Nevermore.”</div> </div> <div class='raven'> <div class='line'><span class="firstchar"><ANTIMG src='images/i_061.jpg' alt='B' /><span class="hidden">B</span></span>ut the Raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only</div> <div class='line'>That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.</div> <div class='line'>Nothing further then he uttered—not a feather then he fluttered—</div> <div class='line'>Till I scarcely more than muttered “Other friends have flown before—</div> <div class='line'>On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.”</div> <div class='line in4'>Then the bird said, “Nevermore.”</div> </div></div> <div class='figcenter id002'> <ANTIMG src='images/i_063.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> <div class='ic005'> <p><em>Copyright 1906 by The Harwell-Evans Co.</em></p> </div> </div> <div class='lg-container-l c008'> <div class='raven'> <div class='line'><span class="firstchar"><ANTIMG src='images/i_065.jpg' alt='S' /><span class="hidden">S</span></span>tartled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,</div> <div class='line'>“Doubtless,” said I, “what it utters is its only stock and store</div> <div class='line'>Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster</div> <div class='line'>Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore—</div> <div class='line'>Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore</div> <div class='line in4'>Of ‘Never—nevermore.’”</div> </div> <div class='raven'> <div class='line'><span class="firstchar"><ANTIMG src='images/i_067.jpg' alt='B' /><span class="hidden">B</span></span>ut the Raven still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling,</div> <div class='line'>Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird and bust and door;</div> <div class='line'>Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking</div> <div class='line'>Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore—</div> <div class='line'>What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore</div> <div class='line in4'>Meant in croaking “Nevermore.”</div> </div></div> <div class='figcenter id002'> <ANTIMG src='images/i_069.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> <div class='ic005'> <p><em>Copyright 1906 by The Harwell-Evans Co.</em></p> </div> </div> <div class='lg-container-l c008'> <div class='raven'> <div class='line'><span class="firstchar"><ANTIMG src='images/i_071.jpg' alt='T' /><span class="hidden">T</span></span>his I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing</div> <div class='line'>To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom’s core;</div> <div class='line'>This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining</div> <div class='line'>On the cushion’s velvet lining that the lamp-light gloated o’er,</div> <div class='line'>But whose velvet violet lining with the lamp-light gloating o’er,</div> <div class='line in4'>She shall press, ah, nevermore!</div> </div> <div class='raven'> <div class='line'><span class="firstchar"><ANTIMG src='images/i_073.jpg' alt='T' /><span class="hidden">T</span></span>hen, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer</div> <div class='line'>Swung by Seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor.</div> <div class='line'>“Wretch,” I cried, “thy God hath lent thee—by these angels he hath sent thee</div> <div class='line'>Respite—respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore;</div> <div class='line'>Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!”</div> <div class='line in4'>Quoth the Raven, “Nevermore.”</div> </div></div> <div class='figcenter id002'> <ANTIMG src='images/i_075.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> <div class='ic005'> <p><em>Copyright 1906 by The Harwell-Evans Co.</em></p> </div> </div> <div class='lg-container-l c008'> <div class='raven'> <div class='line'><span class="firstchar"><ANTIMG src='images/i_077.jpg' alt='“P' /><span class="hidden">“P</span></span>rophet!” said I, “thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil!—</div> <div class='line'>Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,</div> <div class='line'>Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted—</div> <div class='line'>On this home by Horror haunted—tell me truly, I implore—</div> <div class='line'>Is there—is there balm in Gilead?—tell me—tell me, I implore!”</div> <div class='line in4'>Quoth the Raven, “Nevermore.”</div> </div> <div class='raven'> <div class='line'><span class="firstchar"><ANTIMG src='images/i_079.jpg' alt='“P' /><span class="hidden">“P</span></span>rophet!” said I, “thing of evil! prophet still, if bird or devil!—</div> <div class='line'>By that Heaven that bends above us—by that God we both adore—</div> <div class='line'>Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,</div> <div class='line'>It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore—</div> <div class='line'>Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore.”</div> <div class='line in4'>Quoth the Raven, “Nevermore.”</div> </div></div> <div class='figcenter id002'> <ANTIMG src='images/i_081.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> <div class='ic005'> <p><em>Copyright 1906 by The Harwell-Evans Co.</em></p> </div> </div> <div class='lg-container-l c008'> <div class='raven'> <div class='line'><span class="firstchar"><ANTIMG src='images/i_083.jpg' alt='“B' /><span class="hidden">“B</span></span>e that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!” I shrieked, upstarting—</div> <div class='line'>“Get thee back into the tempest and the Night’s Plutonian shore!</div> <div class='line'>Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!</div> <div class='line'>Leave my loneliness unbroken!—quit the bust above my door!</div> <div class='line'>Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!”</div> <div class='line in4'>Quoth the Raven, “Nevermore.”</div> </div> <div class='raven'> <div class='line'><span class="firstchar"><ANTIMG src='images/i_085.jpg' alt='A' /><span class="hidden">A</span></span>nd the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting</div> <div class='line'>On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;</div> <div class='line'>And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming,</div> <div class='line'>And the lamp-light o’er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;</div> <div class='line'>And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor</div> <div class='line in4'>Shall be lifted—nevermore!</div> </div></div> <div class='figcenter id002'> <ANTIMG src='images/i_087.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> <div class='ic005'> <p><em>Copyright 1906 by The Harwell-Evans Co.</em></p> </div> </div> <p class='c009'>Here ends The Raven, a poem, and The Philosophy of Composition, a prose essay; the poem and the essay by Edgar Allan Poe, the photogravure illustrations from paintings by Galen J. Perrett, the initials and decorations by Will Jenkins, the typography designed by J. H. Nash. Of this first Quarto Photogravure Edition one thousand copies have been issued, printed on Arches handmade paper. Published by Paul Elder and Company and done into a book for them at the Tomoye Press, New York City. Finished this Tenth Day of July, in the year Nineteen Hundred and Seven.</p> <div class='pbb'> <hr class='pb c004' /></div> <div class='tnotes'> <div class='chapter'> <h2 class='c005'>TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES</h2></div> <ol class='ol_1 c003'> <li>The book used a gothic font. The font was chosen to approximate the feel of the original. </li> <li>Added Table of <SPAN href='#Contents'>Contents</SPAN>. </li> <li>The punctuation for some lines in The Raven differs from other published versions, i.e., “!” instead of “?” or “.” instead of “!”. </li> <li>Silently corrected typographical errors. </li> <li>Retained anachronistic and non-standard spellings as printed. </li> </ol></div> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />