Падение дома Ашеров

           Theymusthavebeen,andwere,inthenotes,aswellasinthewordsofhiswildfantasias(forhenotunfrequentlyaccompaniedhimselfwithrhymedverbalimprovisations),theresultofthatintensementalcollectednessandconcentrationtowhichIhavepreviouslyalludedasobservableonlyinparticularmomentsofthehighestartificialexcitement. ThewordsofoneoftheserhapsodiesIhaveeasilyremembered. Iwas,perhaps,themoreforciblyimpressedwithitashegaveit,because,intheunderormysticcurrentofitsmeaning,IfanciedthatIperceived,andforthefirsttime,afullconsciousnessonthepartofUsherofthetotteringofhisloftyreasonuponherthrone. Theverses,whichwereentitled“TheHauntedPalace,”ranverynearly,ifnotaccurately,thus:— 

           I. 

           Inthegreenestofourvalleys, 

           Bygoodangelstenanted, 

           Onceafairandstatelypalace— 

           Radiantpalace—reareditshead. 

           InthemonarchThought’sdominion— 

           Itstoodthere! 

           Neverseraphspreadapinion 

           Overfabrichalfsofair. 

           II. 

           Bannersyellow,glorious,golden, 

           Onitsroofdidfloatandflow; 

           (This—allthis—wasintheolden 

           Timelongago); 

           Andeverygentleairthatdallied, 

           Inthatsweetday, 

           Alongtherampartsplumedandpallid, 

           Awingedodorwentaway. 

           III. 

           Wanderersinthathappyvalley 

           Throughtwoluminouswindowssaw 

           Spiritsmovingmusically 

           Toalute’swell-tunèdlaw; 

           Roundaboutathrone,wheresitting 

           (Porphyrogene!) 

           Instatehisglorywellbefitting, 

           Theruleroftherealmwasseen.