Гіпноз

           AndasIlooked,Ibeheldtheheadrise,theblack,liquid,anddeep-sunkeneyesopeninterror,andthethin,shadowedlipspartasifforascreamtoofrightfultobeuttered. Theredweltinthatghastlyandflexibleface,asitshonebodiless,luminous,andrejuvenatedintheblackness,moreofstark,teeming,brain-shatteringfearthanalltherestofheavenandearthhaseverrevealedtome. 

           Nowordwasspokenamidstthedistantsoundthatgrewnearerandnearer,butasIfollowedthememory-face’smadstarealongthatcursedshaftoflighttoitssource,thesourcewhencealsothewhiningcame, I,too,sawforaninstantwhatitsaw,andfellwithringingearsinthatfitofshriekingepilepsywhichbroughtthelodgersandthepolice. NevercouldItell,tryasImight,whatitactuallywasthatIsaw; norcouldthestillfacetell,foralthoughitmusthaveseenmorethanIdid,itwillneverspeakagain. ButalwaysIshallguardagainstthemockingandinsatiateHypnos,lordofsleep,againstthenightsky,andagainstthemadambitionsofknowledgeandphilosophy. 

           Justwhathappenedisunknown,fornotonlywasmyownmindunseatedbythestrangeandhideousthing,butothersweretaintedwithaforgetfulnesswhichcanmeannothingifnotmadness. Theyhavesaid,Iknownotforwhatreason,thatIneverhadafriend; butthatart,philosophy,andinsanityhadfilledallmytragiclife. Thelodgersandpoliceonthatnightsoothedme,andthedoctoradministeredsomethingtoquietme,nordidanyoneseewhatanightmareeventhadtakenplace. Mystrickenfriendmovedthemtonopity,butwhattheyfoundonthecouchinthestudiomadethemgivemeapraise whichsickenedme,andnowafamewhichIspurnindespairasIsitforhours,bald,gray-bearded,shriveled,palsied,drug-crazed,andbroken,adoringandprayingtotheobjecttheyfound.