Dear students,
here’s the verse (a shortened version) for you to learn by heart for the pre-test before the Phonetic Competition. You’ll get a mark for reciting it. And the best reciter will take part in the Phonetic Competition ‘Christmas Miracles» from our group.
‘t was the night before Christmas
And here’s the script (also a shortened version):
Twas the night before Christmas (script)
«A Visit from St. Nicholas» (also known as «The Night Before Christmas»)
(сокращённый вариант)
by: Clement Clarke Moore
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
His eyes-how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight,
«Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!»
snug — уютный
sugar-plum — круглый леденец
lustre — глянец, блеск, отражённый свет
courser — скаковая ложадь
droll — смешной
bow — дуга
down — пушок на растениях
thistle — чертополох