Падение дома Ашеров

           IV. 

           Andallwithpearlandrubyglowing 

           Wasthefairpalacedoor, 

           Throughwhichcameflowing,flowing,flowing 

           Andsparklingevermore, 

           AtroopofEchoeswhosesweetduty 

           Wasbuttosing, 

           Invoicesofsurpassingbeauty, 

           Thewitandwisdomoftheirking. 

           V. 

           Butevilthings,inrobesofsorrow, 

           Assailedthemonarch’shighestate; 

           (Ah,letusmourn,fornevermorrow 

           Shalldawnuponhim,desolate!) 

           And,roundabouthishome,theglory 

           Thatblushedandbloomed 

           Isbutadim-rememberedstory 

           Oftheoldtimeentombed. 

           VI. 

           Andtravellersnowwithinthatvalley, 

           Throughthered-littenwindowssee 

           Vastformsthatmovefantastically 

           Toadiscordantmelody; 

           While,likearapidghastlyriver, 

           Throughthepaledoor, 

           Ahideousthrongrushoutforever, 

           Andlaugh—butsmilenomore. 

           Iwellrememberthatsuggestionsarisingfromthisballad,ledusintoatrainofthoughtwhereintherebecamemanifestanopinionofUsher’swhichImentionnotsomuchonaccountofitsnovelty(forothermen*havethoughtthus),asonaccountofthepertinacitywithwhichhemaintainedit. Thisopinion,initsgeneralform,wasthatofthesentienceofallvegetablethings. But,inhisdisorderedfancy,theideahadassumedamoredaringcharacter,andtrespassed,undercertainconditions,uponthekingdomofinorganization. Ilackwordstoexpressthefullextent,ortheearnestabandonofhispersuasion. Thebelief,however,wasconnected(asIhavepreviouslyhinted)withthegraystonesofthehomeofhisforefathers.