Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1849)

From childhood's hour I have not been As others were — I have not seen As others saw — I could not bring My passions from a common spring —

It was many and many a year ago, In a kingdom by the sea, That a maiden there lived whom you may know By the name of Annabel Lee;

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 some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.