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"The Raven"
by Edgar Allan Poe
by Edgar Allan Poe Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
"'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door;
Only this, and nothing more." Ah, distinctly I remember, it was in the bleak December,
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagery I wished the morrow; vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow, sorrow for the lost Lenore,
Nameless here forevermore. And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me -- filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating,
"'Tis some visitor entreating entrance, entrance at my chamber door.
This is is, and nothing more." Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
"Sir," said I, "or madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is, I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
That I scarce was sure I heard you." Here I opened wide the door; ---
Darkness there, and nothing more. Deep into the darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortals ever dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word,
Lenore?, This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word,
"Lenore!" Merely this, and nothing more. Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping, something louder than before,
"Surely," said I, "surely, that is something at my window lattice.
Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore.
Let my heart be still a moment, and this mystery explore.
'Tis the wind, and nothing more." Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately raven, of the saintly days of yore.
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;
But with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door.
Perched upon a bust of Pallas, just above my chamber door,
Perched, and sat, and nothing more. Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,
"Though thy crest be shorn and shaven thou," I said, "are sure no craven,
Ghastly, grim, and ancient raven, wandering from the nightly shore.
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore."
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore." Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning, little relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door,
Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
With such a name as "Nevermore." But the raven, sitting lonely on that placid bust, spoke only
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing further then he uttered; not a feather then he fluttered;
Till I scarcely more than muttered, "Other friends have flown before;
On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before."
Then the bird said, "Nevermore." Startled at the stillness broken by the reply so aptly spoken,
"Doubtless," said I, "what it utters is its only stock and store,
Caught from some unhappy master, whom unmerciful disaster
Followed fast and followed faster, till his songs one burden bore, ---
Till the dirges of his hope that melancholy burden bore
Of "Never---nevermore." But the raven still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling,
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of the bird, and bust and door;
Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore --
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore
Meant in croaking "Nevermore." Thus I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
To the fowl, whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core;
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamplight gloated o're,
But whose velvet violet lining with the lamplight gloating o're
She shall press, ah, nevermore! Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
Swung by seraphim whose footfalls tinkled on the tufted floor.
"Wretch," I cried, "thy God hath lent thee -- by these angels he hath
Sent thee respite---respite and nepenthe from they memories of Lenore!
Quaff, O quaff this kind nepenthe, and forget this lost Lenore!"
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore!" "Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil!--prophet still, if bird or devil!
Whether tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate, yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted--
On this home by horror haunted -- tell me truly, I implore:
Is there -- is there balm in Gilead? -- tell me -- tell me I implore!"
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore." "Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil!--prophet still, if bird or devil!
By that heaven that bends above us -- by that God we both adore --
Tell this soul with sorrow laden, if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden, whom the angels name Lenore---
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden, whom the angels name Lenore?"
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore." "Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!" I shrieked, upstarting--
"Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!
Leaven no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken! -- quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!"
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore." And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming.
And the lamplight o're him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted---nevermore!
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106 Comment(s) posted so far
On Oct 14, 2007 TheaDidia wrote:
On Oct 14, 2007 lexiann123 wrote:
beautiful poem...I'm now inspired.
On Oct 14, 2007 ticticc13 wrote:
On Oct 14, 2007 samcactus101 wrote:
Nice... is this some kind of poem? I
LOVE the custom contents you used for the story, very antique & unique..
I didn't quite understand the story,, I never understood poetry,, but with pictures, its slightly more interesting..
On Oct 14, 2007 MinnieMinPin wrote:
Cool! Well done!
On Oct 14, 2007 tinhen wrote:
There are seriously people who have never heard of The Raven? Seriously?! Fantastic job, a_g. He's got the most expressive face.
On Oct 14, 2007 smp6185 wrote:
I looooooove this poem. Your pictures fit perfectly. Very very nice. If you ever need an idea or get bored, you should do the black cat!! lol, that's my fave.
Happy Simming.
On Oct 14, 2007 thewebguys777 wrote:
The poem is wonderfully portrayed in the Sims 2! It looks fantastic! But how did you get the cieling in that room??? Wow!
On Oct 14, 2007 Zayury wrote:
On Oct 14, 2007 Saiorse wrote:
Thank you for doing one of my favourite poems. Your characters and sets are absolutely breath-taking.
On Oct 14, 2007 wrote:
i looove this poem!
you did a great job in capturing the emotions and i love the raven! you should also do annabel lee! i love that poem as well.!
On Oct 14, 2007 Wigwog wrote:
I love the Raven by Edgar Allen Poe! It was well done and the Ravens Mask, where did you get that? I might need it for a story I'm doing!
On Oct 14, 2007 Masquerade37 wrote:
Beautiful rendition of the poem! I've always loved your pictures, and this is such a great collection of them!
On Oct 14, 2007 Elven_Ranger wrote:
Ive always loved that poem, and it was great to see it with such beautifully rendered pictures
On Oct 14, 2007 Alyosha wrote:
WOW... nicely interpreted!! Well done!
On Oct 14, 2007 Arwen Istar wrote:
That is very beautifully done! It portrays the exact atmosphere I always imagined when reading the poem.
On Oct 14, 2007 xtamadea wrote:
wow... wow... WOW!!!!! *speechless:P*
On Oct 14, 2007 rebekah eliz24021994 wrote:
wow that helps a lot because i dont read a lot of victorian poetry
On Oct 14, 2007 Devalyn wrote:
I always liked this poem, though it's the first time I read the original one, I knew it in hungarian translation - now I see it was a very good translation
the rhytm and rhiming sounds exactly like in the original poem.
On Oct 14, 2007 evi wrote:
Excellent!
On Oct 14, 2007 Dirtdevill wrote:
Wow, this is amazing! It's a verry original & refreshing idea to make a story with a poem! I kept staring and staring at your pictures, the rooms, the outfits and your sims, they are really georgious!
I love it so much, thank you for sharing!
On Oct 14, 2007 thekewlestnerd wrote:
Very cool and a creative idea for a story! Love it!
On Oct 14, 2007 DarkBorderR wrote:
What a beautiful story!
On Oct 14, 2007 ferret9005 wrote:
Most evecellent adaptation.
On Oct 14, 2007 melis1 wrote:
I love Tristan he is cute
! and I also like the poem! You're a cool creator! 
On Oct 14, 2007 odnavgorode wrote:
very beautifully
On Oct 14, 2007 caclark wrote:
nice
On Oct 14, 2007 sallyhails wrote:
I love The Raven & you portrayed it beautifully, all the screenshots are amazing, thank you for sharing it all with us
On Oct 14, 2007 trilbyfay wrote:
That was very well done, excellent screen shots.
On Oct 14, 2007 vanessa190371 wrote:
interesting
On Oct 14, 2007 AnnieBoo wrote:
Awwww....I was teaching my pupils that the other day!! Be sure I'll ask them to come over to read and then undesrtand better what The Raven means....
Thanks, hun!! You are the best of the best!!!
Annie
On Oct 14, 2007 CorneliaSrownal wrote:
wow this is so amazing! the setting is all brilliant!
besides I never read E.A.Poe in english (I am german) and it was very laborious, but I liked it very much!! 
On Oct 14, 2007 simari wrote:
Wow! Amazing job with the shots and settings. Very creative costume. It's just amazing. Loved it
On Oct 14, 2007 K@ wrote:
That's great! Amazing screenshot, illustrations - gorgeous!
On Oct 14, 2007 iron mum wrote:
Very well done.
I like the idea of a female sim being the raven.
On Oct 14, 2007 MinnieID wrote:
Very nice pictures, and great idea.
On Oct 14, 2007 ScooterXP wrote:
I love ur story cause poe is just the best
! I liked ur idea of making the raven a woman although the raven appeares to suppose to be male. Good job 
On Oct 14, 2007 hp_simmer wrote:
Amazing, the shots were wonderful!
On Oct 14, 2007 kidnumber48 wrote:
I can't believe samcactus101 said,"Is this some kind of poem?" That made me laugh! So they've worked that much out?!! I liked your interpretation of the poem. You've brought a great poem bang up to date. I've been watching Edgar Allan Poe's Tales of Mystery and Imagination on Zone Horror recently. Perhaps you should remake Mr Valdimar. That's a really horrible story.
On Oct 14, 2007 trolzgirl wrote:
great custom content
and a fantastic story
On Oct 14, 2007 TanyaAnnB1971 wrote:
Brilliant! And I love the raven costume set
On Oct 14, 2007 cariadbach wrote:
On Oct 14, 2007 D2Diamond wrote:
Very nice. Can you to the Tell Tale Heart?
On Oct 14, 2007 erisema wrote:
That was totally AWESOME.... the mood, the images.... everything just fit that poem to the tee!
Hope there are more on the way. Thanks!
On Oct 14, 2007 mara_47 wrote:
that was HOT! lol great job.
On Oct 14, 2007 agaumer wrote:
I'm a huge E.A.P. fan (one of my cats is named EAP but I digress) and I love your interpretation of "The Raven". The cc is perfect and helps create an incredible, engaging environment for the screens, very well done
The Raven costume is absolutely gorgeous 
On Oct 14, 2007 Salt n pepa wrote:
it sound like a poem but it still gud
On Oct 14, 2007 mini me3393 wrote:
Edgar Allen Poe was an incredible poet. I remember back in 8th grade this one kid in my english class had this whole poem memorized and recited it on Halloween. Your story followed the poem beautifully. Very nice job! ^^
On Oct 14, 2007 CASSIA238 wrote:
I loved the story!
This is one of my all time favorite poems!
I loved the poem so much my mom bought me the book of Edgar Allen Poe The raven years ago! You did a awesome job! Thank you so much!
On Oct 14, 2007 babsbunny72 wrote:
Fantastic!!!!
On Oct 14, 2007 plyangel456 wrote:
Great job putting the pictures and the poem together so well. Thanks for sharing!!!
On Oct 14, 2007 goodie2shoes wrote:
Wow! I never really understood the poem, but now I do
....Kinda! 
You acted it out perfectly! Edgar Allen Poe was amazing, wasn't he? And so are you for being able to reinact this! 
On Oct 14, 2007 oph3lia wrote:
This is brilliant, as usual Aikea, everything you touch turns out so well
On Oct 14, 2007 binky13 wrote:
Such a wonderful story for this poem. Just yesterday I was reading 'The Raven' to some friends.
On Oct 14, 2007 wrote:
Brilliant!! I love this poem. Everything you touch is gold, beautiful shots! Terrific job, just inspired.
On Oct 14, 2007 RIDance wrote:
I don't understand why you chose a woman, as she could certainly come up with more intelligent responses to his questions than "never more". Were you trying to make it symbolize his lost love? But your shots are set up wonderfully and I like how you decorated the room. It really reflects the mood of the man: lonely.
On Oct 14, 2007 Weezer_Rocks wrote:
Lovely. The Raven used to be my favorite poem back when I was eight or nine (my moom was in college at the time and let me read it out of one of her english lit textbooks). Wonderful intepretation. The sad thing is, I never realized the main character dies until I was in high school. Guess since it wasn't spelled out when I first read it I didn't get that until someone else told me... so seeing the character fall at the end actually makes sense now, yay.
On Oct 14, 2007 carmypies wrote:
You put my screenshot to shame (http://www.thesimsresource.com/screenshots/view.php?id=64892). Lovely job!
On Oct 14, 2007 aikea_guinea wrote:
carmypies!! You were the original inspiration! I saw your screencap back in March and thought it would be cool to attempt to do the entire poem!
On Oct 14, 2007 Junior_bad wrote:
beautifull story
compliment!! 
nice pictures 
On Oct 14, 2007 VictoriaGrace wrote:
On Oct 15, 2007 jadedqueenie wrote:
just awesome! amazing work
On Oct 15, 2007 SimanthaRat wrote:
Its been a long time since I read this poem by Poe. Amazing and still timeless. Beautifully re-created.
Sam
On Oct 15, 2007 mssoftbrn wrote:
Nice.. great job!!
On Oct 15, 2007 tdyannd wrote:
Amazing. Love the poem, love Poe, love love love your screenies.
On Oct 15, 2007 GFitz wrote:
One of my favorites. I always loved Poe's works. And you interpreted it brilliantly.
On Oct 15, 2007 lillith_666 wrote:
On Oct 15, 2007 wrote:
One of my favorite poems, brought to life by one of my favorite couples
Twas amazing!!! Truely an excellent thing to behold!!!!
On Oct 15, 2007 florie1977 wrote:
On Oct 15, 2007 rhammond1974 wrote:
How wonderful! I love Poe. Just in time for Halloween too. I really love your set for the pics! Very detailed!
On Oct 16, 2007 wrote:
Very beautiful poem!
I love the wonderful poets work, very interesting! The rooms and clothing were all very detailed and pretty. The raven was also very beautiful!
On Oct 16, 2007 kitfu11 wrote:
I love Poe and "The Raven"!
Excellent pics!
On Oct 16, 2007 Lily Fairy2 wrote:
Loads of people have heard of this Poem but I never have!! It was brilliant anyway, the pictures were fab and the costumes were brill too. I hope to see more from you in the near future!
On Oct 16, 2007 Kismyname wrote:
Amazing! Wonderful interpretation of the classic.
On Oct 16, 2007 wrote:
GREAT
On Oct 16, 2007 SongChild99 wrote:
"The Raven" has been one of my favorites since the first time I read it, years ago back in 5th grade..I think. Your interpretation is brilliant and your sets capture the man's mood perfectly.
On Oct 18, 2007 emmy27 wrote:
WOW I LOVED IT THE PICTURES AND THE POEM WERE AMAZING
On Oct 18, 2007 ShaneeC1 wrote:
Beautifully done. Being my favorite poem from ages upon ages, I loved your interpretation for it. Edgar Allen Poe's creations have always been fascinating on their own, but this truely brings out the quality of it.
Thanks for the read. ^.^
On Oct 19, 2007 Eluna wrote:
On Oct 19, 2007 stacyrings wrote:
Great images to go with a great poem. Very well done.
On Oct 21, 2007 OpheliaNival wrote:
The charisma in your pictures goes so great with the poem.
On Oct 28, 2007 AshGreg wrote:
AWSOME STORY CANT WAIT TO SEE THE NEXT ONE
On Oct 30, 2007 LIUBlueJeans wrote:
Amazing. Your pictures were awesome and really brought life to this eerily wonderful poem. I've loved Poe for YEARS!
On Nov 1, 2007 blossombob7 wrote:
Very nice. Always nice to take time to sit and read some Poe every then and again. Great work.
On Nov 19, 2007 wrote:
I like everithing about this story: the setting, the charecters, the clothes and the poem itself!
On Dec 6, 2007 rythmgitr wrote:
Those pics are awesome. I could never do anything like that in a million years. *worships* . My favorite writting of Poe was always Anabell Lee, that'd be too graphic for on here though, considering it's er... ending. I am truely amazed by this. -Sheyza
On Dec 9, 2007 whoselinelover wrote:
This is absolutely amazing! Great job with all your pictures!! I love Edgar Allan Poe.
On Dec 28, 2007 Linasmultrollet wrote:
the scenery is sooo well done! Really great
On Jan 4, 2008 queenie28 wrote:
Beautifully done with the screenshots!
The Raven is one of my favorite poems from Edgar Allen Poe. I remember I had to study it in high school. Great job!
On Jan 6, 2008 Aleeza wrote:
Brilliant!
I love this poem and you did a fantastic job on it
Love your pictures
On Jan 9, 2008 Nanamouskoury wrote:
Very nice rendition of a classic. Thanks for sharing
On Jan 20, 2008 jadespacemonkey wrote:
This is extraorordinary.....
On Jan 28, 2008 Aloha Kay wrote:
WOW! I've always admired your screencaps and was not really all that shocked to see you do Poe. lol Seems to fit your style so well. Fantastic.
)
In responce to RIDance, I love the way it was done. I know the bird is presented as male in the story but thinking to all the plays I've seen, this is a common occurance, to have a person, particularly a woman dress as a bird or cat in a performance. (Please excuse my ramblings . . . I'm studying to teach Literature.
On Jan 30, 2008 freshsfs2003 wrote:
Wow! what a great way to display this poem. I love the poem and I love what you did with it!
On Feb 15, 2008 kiwiana girl wrote:
Awesome.
On Mar 7, 2008 Marilyn McElroy wrote:
Beautiful! Your images are as haunting and melancholy as the poem.
You've reminded me that I have the Coplete Works of Poe somewhere in my storage of books from college. I need to get it out and read it again.
THANKS AG
On Mar 8, 2008 ikbodz wrote:
Absolutely Beautiful Thanks
On Mar 12, 2008 wrote:
I Love this poem. Edgar Allen Poe was an amazing poet. You captured the darkness and the feeling with your sims very nicely done!
On Mar 19, 2008 NenaAngelita91a wrote:
Wow beautiful poem. Excellent images go well with the poem.
Good job!!!
On Apr 27, 2008 Lunarrainbow wrote:
it was very good but where did you get the hair for the guy
On May 16, 2008 chadam_lives wrote:
I simply adore this poem. You portrayed it lovely. Good Job!
On May 24, 2008 artrui wrote:
absolute 5.0! Thanks for sharing!
!
!
!
!
On Jun 21, 2008 Icey06 wrote:
I'm in LOVE with the way you conducted this well.
You're an inspiration with not only your creations but with
you're sense of of telling a story darkness and the feeling with your sims very emtotions
Also using this great poem (my favourite one no less) to enhance your work. Truly Brilliant
On Oct 4, 2008 etheea wrote:
On Nov 16, 2008 damnanoir wrote:
beautiful piece... POE would love it... if he was alive XD
On Mar 17, 2011 fabrizioammollo wrote:
Awesome lyric! It's so creepy and moving...
I like very much the pictures you choose to diplay it!