VOA Learning English Presents 'A Visit from St. Nicholas'

Some believe it was written by Henry Livingston, a map maker in New York who wrote and published funny poems in his spare time.

Sebagian orang percaya puisi itu ditulis oleh Henry Livingston, seorang pembuat peta di New York yang menulis dan menerbitkan puisi lucu di waktu luangnya.

We give you the staff of Learning English reading Clement Clarke Moore's poem, popularly known as “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

Kami persembahkan para staf Learning English membacakan puisi karya Clement Clarke Moore, yang populer dengan judul “’Twas the Night Before Christmas”.

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

Malam itu malam sebelum Natal, di seluruh rumah tak satu makhluk pun bergerak, bahkan seekor tikus pun tidak.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there.

Kaus kaki digantung dengan hati-hati di dekat cerobong asap, dengan harapan Santo Nikolas segera datang.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.

Anak-anak meringkuk nyaman di tempat tidur mereka, sementara bayangan permen buah plum menari-nari di kepala mereka.

And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap.

Dan ibu dengan kerudungnya, serta aku dengan topiku, baru saja bersiap untuk tidur panjang di malam musim dingin.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Ketika di halaman terdengar suara gaduh, aku melompat dari tempat tidur untuk melihat apa yang terjadi.

Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

Secepat kilat aku berlari ke jendela, membuka daun jendela lebar-lebar dan mengangkat kacanya.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave lustre of mid-day to objects below.

Cahaya bulan di atas salju yang baru turun membuat benda-benda di bawah tampak terang seperti tengah hari.

When, what to my wondering eyes did appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.

Lalu di depan mataku yang terheran-heran, muncullah sebuah kereta luncur mini dan delapan rusa kutub kecil.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be Saint Nick.

Dengan seorang kusir tua bertubuh kecil yang lincah dan cekatan, aku langsung tahu itu pasti Santo Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

Lebih cepat dari elang rusa-rusanya datang, dan ia bersiul, berteriak, serta memanggil nama mereka!

Now, Prancer and Vixen!

Ayo, Prancer dan Vixen!

On Donder and Blitzen!

Maju, Donder dan Blitzen!

To the top of the porch!

Ke atas beranda!

To the top of the wall!

Ke atas tembok!

Now dash away!

Sekarang melesatlah!

Dash away all!"

Melesatlah semuanya!

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.

Seperti daun kering yang terbang di depan badai dahsyat, saat menemui rintangan, melayang ke langit.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

Lalu, dalam sekejap, aku mendengar di atas atap suara lompatan dan hentakan setiap kuku kecil.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around, Down the chimney Saint Nicholas came with a bound.

Saat aku menarik kepala dan berbalik, Santo Nikolas meluncur turun lewat cerobong asap dengan sekali lompat.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.

Ia mengenakan pakaian bulu dari kepala hingga kaki, dan pakaiannya kotor oleh abu dan jelaga.

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

Sebuntel mainan tersampir di punggungnya, dan ia tampak seperti pedagang keliling yang baru membuka buntelannya.

His eyes -- how they twinkled!

Matanya — betapa berbinar-binar!

His dimples how merry!

Lesung pipinya, betapa ceria!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

Pipinya seperti mawar, hidungnya seperti buah ceri!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

Mulut kecilnya yang lucu melengkung seperti busur, dan janggut di dagunya seputih salju.

He had a broad face and a little round belly, That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

Wajahnya lebar dan perutnya bulat kecil, yang bergoyang saat ia tertawa seperti semangkuk jeli!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!

Ia montok dan gemuk, benar-benar peri tua yang riang, dan aku tertawa melihatnya, tanpa bisa menahan diri!

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

Kedipan matanya dan gerakan kepalanya segera membuatku tahu bahwa aku tak perlu takut.

He spoke not a word, and went straight to his work, Filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.

Ia tak berkata sepatah kata pun dan langsung bekerja, mengisi semua kaus kaki, lalu berbalik dengan cepat.

And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

Dan sambil menaruh jarinya di samping hidung, serta mengangguk, ia naik ke atas cerobong asap!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

Ia melompat ke kereta luncurnya, bersiul memanggil rusa-rusanya, dan mereka semua terbang seperti bulu bunga thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight, "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Tetapi aku mendengarnya berseru sebelum menghilang dari pandangan, “Selamat Natal untuk semua, dan selamat malam untuk semua!”