At the time of its writing in 1995, this composition in Standard Pilish, a retelling of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven", was one of the longest texts ever written using the π constraint , in which the number of letters in each successive word "spells out" the digits of π (740 digits in this example). For length this poem was subsequently outdone by the nearly-4000-digit Cadaeic Cadenza, whose first section is just Near A Raven with the first three words altered, but since this version is fairly well-known by itself (for example, it was reprinted in Berggren, Borwein and Borwein's "Pi: A Source Book"), we have decided to give it its own web page.

The two postscript lines at the end are part of the mnemonic.



Poe, E.

Near a Raven

Midnights so dreary, tired and weary.

Silently pondering volumes extolling all by-now obsolete lore.

During my rather long nap - the weirdest tap!

An ominous vibrating sound disturbing my chamber's antedoor.

"This", I whispered quietly, "I ignore".

Perfectly, the intellect remembers: the ghostly fires, a glittering ember.

Inflamed by lightning's outbursts, windows cast penumbras upon this floor.

Sorrowful, as one mistreated, unhappy thoughts I heeded:

That inimitable lesson in elegance - Lenore -

Is delighting, exciting...nevermore.

Ominously, curtains parted (my serenity outsmarted),

And fear overcame my being - the fear of "forevermore".

Fearful foreboding abided, selfish sentiment confided,

As I said, "Methinks mysterious traveler knocks afore.

A man is visiting, of age threescore."

Taking little time, briskly addressing something: "Sir," (robustly)

"Tell what source originates clamorous noise afore?

Disturbing sleep unkindly, is it you a-tapping, so slyly?

Why, devil incarnate!--" Here completely unveiled I my antedoor--

Just darkness, I ascertained - nothing more.

While surrounded by darkness then, I persevered to clearly comprehend.

I perceived the weirdest dream...of everlasting "nevermores".

Quite, quite, quick nocturnal doubts fled - such relief! - as my intellect said,

(Desiring, imagining still) that perchance the apparition was uttering a whispered "Lenore".

This only, as evermore.

Silently, I reinforced, remaining anxious, quite scared, afraid,

While intrusive tap did then come thrice - O, so stronger than sounded afore.

"Surely" (said silently) "it was the banging, clanging window lattice."

Glancing out, I quaked, upset by horrors hereinbefore,

Perceiving: a "nevermore".

Completely disturbed, I said, "Utter, please, what prevails ahead.

Repose, relief, cessation, or but more dreary 'nevermores'?"

The bird intruded thence - O, irritation ever since! -

Then sat on Pallas' pallid bust, watching me (I sat not, therefore),

And stated "nevermores".

Bemused by raven's dissonance, my soul exclaimed, "I seek intelligence;

Explain thy purpose, or soon cease intoning forlorn 'nevermores'!"

"Nevermores", winged corvus proclaimed - thusly was a raven named?

Actually maintain a surname, upon Pluvious seashore?

I heard an oppressive "nevermore".

My sentiments extremely pained, to perceive an utterance so plain,

Most interested, mystified, a meaning I hoped for.

"Surely," said the raven's watcher, "separate discourse is wiser.

Therefore, liberation I'll obtain, retreating heretofore -

Eliminating all the 'nevermores' ".

Still, the detestable raven just remained, unmoving, on sculptured bust.

Always saying "never" (by a red chamber's door).

A poor, tender heartache maven - a sorrowful bird - a raven!

O, I wished thoroughly, forthwith, that he'd fly heretofore.

Still sitting, he recited "nevermores".

The raven's dirge induced alarm - "nevermore" quite wearisome.

I meditated: "Might its utterances summarize of a calamity before?"

O, a sadness was manifest - a sorrowful cry of unrest;

"O," I thought sincerely, "it's a melancholy great - furthermore,

Removing doubt, this explains 'nevermores' ".

Seizing just that moment to sit - closely, carefully, advancing beside it,

Sinking down, intrigued, where velvet cushion lay afore.

A creature, midnight-black, watched there - it studied my soul, unawares.

Wherefore, explanations my insight entreated for.

Silently, I pondered the "nevermores".

"Disentangle, nefarious bird! Disengage - I am disturbed!"

Intently its eye burned, raising the cry within my core.

"That delectable Lenore - whose velvet pillow this was, heretofore,

Departed thence, unsettling my consciousness therefore.

She's returning - that maiden - aye, nevermore."

Since, to me, that thought was madness, I renounced continuing sadness.

Continuing on, I soundly, adamantly forswore:

"Wretch," (addressing blackbird only) "fly swiftly - emancipate me!"

"Respite, respite, detestable raven - and discharge me, I implore!"

A ghostly answer of: "nevermore".

" 'Tis a prophet? Wraith? Strange devil? Or the ultimate evil?"

"Answer, tempter-sent creature!", I inquired, like before.

"Forlorn, though firmly undaunted, with 'nevermores' quite indoctrinated,

Is everything depressing, generating great sorrow evermore?

I am subdued!", I then swore.

In answer, the raven turned - relentless distress it spurned.

"Comfort, surcease, quiet, silence!" - pleaded I for.

"Will my (abusive raven!) sorrows persist unabated?

Nevermore Lenore respondeth?", adamantly I encored.

The appeal was ignored.

"O, satanic inferno's denizen -- go!", I said boldly, standing then.

"Take henceforth loathsome "nevermores" - O, to an ugly Plutonian shore!

Let nary one expression, O bird, remain still here, replacing mirth.

Promptly leave and retreat!", I resolutely swore.

Blackbird's riposte: "nevermore".

So he sitteth, observing always, perching ominously on these doorways.

Squatting on the stony bust so untroubled, O therefore.

Suffering stark raven's conversings, so I am condemned, subserving,

To a nightmare cursed, containing miseries galore.

Thus henceforth, I'll rise (from a darkness, a grave) -- nevermore!