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En 1882 un profesor americano Clement Clarke Moore escribió un poema para sus hijos como regalo de Navidad
Era la víspera de Navidad, y todo en la casa era paz. No se oía ni un ruidito, ni siquiera chillar a un ratón.
'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house. Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
Junto al fuego colgaban los calcetines vacíos, seguros que pronto vendría Santa Claus.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care. In the hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
Sobre la cama, acurrucaditos y bien abrigados, los niños dormían, mientras dulces y bombones danzaban alegres en sus cabecitas.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds. While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.
Y mamá con pañoleta, y yo con gorro de dormir, nos disponíamos para un largo sueño invernal.
Mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap. Had just settled down for a long winter's nap.
De pronto en el prado surgió un alboroto, salté de la cama y fui a ver qué pasaba.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter. I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Volé como un rayo hasta la ventana, abrí las persianas y tiré del postigo.
Away to the window I flew like a flash. Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
La luna sobre la nieve recién caída le daba a los objetos brillo de mediodía.
The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow. Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below.
Cuando para mi asombro vi pasar a lo lejos, un diminuto trineo y ocho pequeños renos.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear. But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.
Conducía un viejecito, vivaracho y veloz, Y supe en seguida que debía ser Santa Claus.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick. I knew in a moment, it must be St. Nick.
Más rápido que las águilas, sus corceles volaban.
More rapid than eagles, his reindeer they came.
Y silbaba y gritaba y a sus renos ¡por su nombre llamaba!
And he whistled and he shouted and he called them by name.
– ¡Vamos Destello! ¡Vamos Danzarín! ¡Vamos Cabriolero y Brujo! ¡Corre Cometa! ¡Corre Cupido! ¡Corran Trueno y Chispa!
"Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer and Vixen, On Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen
¡A la cima del techo! ¡A la cima del muro! ¡Vamos apúrense! ¡Apúrense! ¡Apúrense todos!
To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall. Now, dash away, dash away, dash away all!"
Como las hojas que vuelan antes de un fuerte huracán, que cuando se topan con un obstáculo remontan al cielo.
As dry leaves before the wild hurricane fly. When they meet with an obstacle, climb to the sky.
Así volaron los corceles hasta posarse en la casa, Con el trineo lleno de juguetes y Santa Claus también.
So up to the house-top the reindeer they flew. With a sleigh full of toys and St. Nicholas too.
En un parpadear, sobre el techo escuché los pequeños cascos de los renos patear y al volver la cabeza, entre cenizas y troncos, por la chimenea de golpe cayó Santa Claus.
And then in a twinkling, I heard on the roof. The prancing and the pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my head and was turning around. Down through the chimney he came with a bound.
Abrigado con pieles, de la cabeza los pies, Santa Claus se encontraba todo sucio de hollín.
He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot. And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
Llevaba en sus espaldas un saco de juguetes y parecía un buhonero abriendo su paquete.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back. And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
¡Cómo brillaban sus ojos! ¡Qué felices sus hoyuelos! Sus mejillas como rosas, ¡su nariz como cereza!
His eyes, how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry. His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry.
Su graciosa boca con una mueca sonriente y la barba de su mentón tan blanca como la nieve.
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow. And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.
Sujetaba firme entre los dientes la boquilla de una pipa y el humo rodeaba su cabeza a modo de guirnalda.
The stump of a pipe, he held tight in his teeth. And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
Tenía una cara amplia y su panza redonda. Temblaba al reírse ¡como un pote de gelatina!
He had a broad face, and a little round belly. That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.
Era gordinflón y rollizo, como un duende gracioso
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf.
y apenas lo ví ¡me eché a reír sin querer!
And I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself.
Al ver su modo de parpadear y mover la cabeza, pronto me di cuenta que no había nada que temer.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head. Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
No dijo una palabra y volvió a su trabajo, Llenó bien los calcetines, luego su cuerpo sacudió.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work. And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
Y colocando su dedo a un costado de la nariz e inclinando la cabeza ¡por la chimenea salió!
And laying his finger aside of his nose. And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.
Saltó a su trineo y a sus ayudantes silbó y arrancaron volando como la pelusa de un cardo.
He sprung to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle. And away they all flew, like the down of a thistle.
Pero llegué a escucharle mientras desaparecía:
But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight.
¡A todos Feliz Navidad y que pasen un buen día!
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all... a good night.
