Жах у музеї

           Fromtheupperendasubsidiaryglobebulgedforwardbubble-like;itstriangleofthreestaring,fishyeyes,itsfoot-longandevidentlyflexibleproboscis,andadistendedlateralsystemanalogoustogills,suggestingthatitwasahead. Mostofthebodywascoveredwithwhatatfirstappearedtobefur,butwhichoncloserexaminationprovedtobeadensegrowthofdark,slendertentaclesorsuckingfilaments,eachtippedwithamouthsuggestingtheheadofanasp. Ontheheadandbelowtheproboscisthetentaclestendedtobelongerandthicker,andmarkedwithspiralstripes—suggestingthetraditionalserpent-locksofMedusa. Tosaythatsuchathingcouldhaveanexpressionseemsparadoxical;yetJonesfeltthatthattriangleofbulgingfish-eyesandthatobliquelypoisedproboscisallbespokeablendofhate,greed,andsheercrueltyincomprehensibletomankindbecausemixedwithotheremotionsnotoftheworldorthissolarsystem. Intothisbestialabnormality,hereflected,Rogersmusthavepouredatonceallhismalignantinsanityandallhisuncannysculpturalgenius. Thethingwasincredible—andyetthephotographprovedthatitexisted. 

           Rogersinterruptedhisreveries.“ 

           Well—whatdoyouthinkofIt? Nowdoyouwonderwhatcrushedthedogandsuckeditdrywithamillionmouths? Itneedednourishment—andItwillneedmore. Itisagod,andIamthefirstpriestofItslatter-dayhierarchy. Iä!Shub-Niggurath!TheGoatwithaThousandYoung!” 

           Jonesloweredthephotographindisgustandpity.“ 

           Seehere,Rogers,thiswon’tdo.