Once upon a midterm dreary, while Nancy pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten bills
While she nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one not gently rapping, rapping at the chamber’s floor
‘Tis some visitor, the Speaker muttered, tapping at the chamber floor
Only this, and nothing more.”

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
And each separate dying career wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly she wished the morrow; – vainly she sought to borrow
From her colleagues surcease of sorrow – sorrow for the lost Majority -
For the rare and stunning setback whom the voters hit with a two by four -
Nameless here for evermore.

And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each blue curtain
Thrilled them – filled them with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of her heart, she stood repeating,
“‘Tis some lame duck entreating entrance at my chamber door -
Some late lame duck  entreating entrance at my chamber door; -
This it is, and nothing more.”  Read more...