'Twas the Night Before Christmas
Era la Víspera de Navidad

'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 Saint Nicholas soon would be there.

Era la víspera de Navidad, y todo en la casa era paz.
No se oía ni un ruidito, ni siquiera chillar a un ratón.
Junto al fuego colgaban los calcetines vacíos,
Seguros que pronto vendría Santa Claus.

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 our brains for a long winter’s nap.

Sobre la cama, acurrucaditos y bien abrigados, los niños dormían,
Mientras dulces y bombones danzaban alegres en sus cabecitas.
Y mamá con pañoleta, y yo con gorro de dormir,
Nos disponíamos para un largo sueño invernal.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

De pronto en el prado surgió un alboroto,
Salté de la cama y fui a ver qué pasaba.
Volé como un rayo hasta la ventana,
Abrí las persianas y tiré del postigo.

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.

La luna sobre la nieve recién caída
Le daba a los objetos brillo de mediodía.
Cuando para mi asombro vi pasar a lo lejos,
Un diminuto trineo y ocho pequeños renos.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be Saint Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and he called them by name!

Conducía un viejecito, vivaracho y veloz,
Y supe en seguida que debía ser Santa Claus.
Más rápido que las águilas, sus corceles volaban,
Y silbaba y gritaba y a sus renos ¡por su nombre llamaba!

"Now Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! On Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

¡Vamos Destello! ¡Vamos Danzarín! ¡Vamos Cabriolero y Brujo!
¡Corre Cometa! ¡Corre Cupido! ¡Corran Trueno y Chispa!
¡A la cima del techo! ¡A la cima del muro!
¡Vamos apúrense! ¡Apúrense! ¡Apúrense todos!

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and Saint Nicholas, too.

Como las hojas que vuelan antes de un fuerte huracán,
Que cuando se topan con un obstáculo remontan al cielo,
Así volaron los corceles hasta posarse en la casa,
Con el trineo lleno de juguetes y Santa Claus también.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney Saint Nicholas came with a bound.

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.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

Abrigado con pieles, de la cabeza los pies,
Santa Claus se encontraba todo sucio de hollín.
Llevaba en sus espaldas un saco de juguetes,
Y parecía un buhonero abriendo su paquete.

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.

¡Cómo brillaban sus ojos! ¡Qué felices sus hoyuelos!
Sus mejillas como rosas, ¡su nariz como cereza!
Su graciosa boca con una mueca sonriente,
Y la barba de su mentón tan blanca como la nieve.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

Sujetaba firme entre los dientes la boquilla de una pipa,
Y el humo rodeaba su cabeza a modo de guirnalda.
Tenía una cara amplia y su panza redonda,
Temblaba al reirse ¡como un pote de gelatina!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know that I had nothing to dread.

Era gordinflón y rollizo, como un duende gracioso,
¡Y apenas lo ví me reí sin querer!
Al ver su modo de parpadear y mover la cabeza,
Pronto me di cuenta que no había nada que temer.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, and then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

No dijo una palabra y volvió a su trabajo,
Llenó bien los calcetines, luego su cuerpo sacudió.
Y colocando su dedo a un costado de la nariz,
E inclinando la cabeza ¡por la chimenea salió!

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, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Saltó a su trineo y a sus ayudantes silbó
Y arrancaron volando como la pelusa de un cardo.
Pero llegué a escucharle mientras desaparecía,
"¡A todos Feliz Navidad y que pasen un buen día!".

Thomas Clarke Moore