  We consider the spin-averaged nucleon forward Compton scattering amplitude in
heavy baryon chiral perturbation theory including all terms to order ${\cal O}
(q^4)$. The chiral prediction for the spin-averaged forward Compton scattering
amplitude is in good agreement with the data for photon energies $\omega \le
110$ MeV. We also evaluate the nucleon electric and magnetic Compton
polarizabilities to this order and discuss the uncertainties of the various
counter terms entering the chiral expansion of these quantities.
