原小说

Title:LigeiaAuthor:EdgarAllanPoe[MoreTitlesbyPoe]Andthewillthereinlieth,whichdiethnot.Whoknoweththemysteriesofthewill,withitsvigor?ForGodisbutagreatwillpervadingallthingsbynatureofitsintentness.Mandothnotyieldhimselftotheangels,noruntodeathutterly,saveonlythroughtheweaknessofhisfeeblewill.--JosephGlanvill.ICannot,formysoul,rememberhow,when,orevenpreciselywhere,IfirstbecameacquaintedwiththeladyLigeia.Longyearshavesinceelapsed,andmymemoryisfeeblethroughmuchsuffering.Or,perhaps,Icannotnowbringthesepointstomind,because,intruth,thecharacterofmybeloved,herrarelearning,hersingularyetplacidcastofbeauty,andthethrillingandenthrallingeloquenceofherlowmusicallanguage,madetheirwayintomyheartbypacessosteadilyandstealthilyprogressivethattheyhavebeenunnoticedandunknown.YetIbelievethatImetherfirstandmostfrequentlyinsomelarge,old,decayingcityneartheRhine.Ofherfamily--Ihavesurelyheardherspeak.Thatitisofaremotelyancientdatecannotbedoubted.Ligeia!Ligeia!instudiesofanaturemorethanallelseadaptedtodeadenimpressionsoftheoutwardworld,itisbythatsweetwordalone--byLigeia--thatIbringbeforemineeyesinfancytheimageofherwhoisnomore.Andnow,whileIwrite,arecollectionflashesuponmethatIhaveneverknownthepaternalnameofherwhowasmyfriendandmybetrothed,andwhobecamethepartnerofmystudies,andfinallythewifeofmybosom.WasitaplayfulchargeonthepartofmyLigeia?orwasitatestofmystrengthofaffection,thatIshouldinstitutenoinquiriesuponthispoint?orwasitratheracapriceofmyown--awildlyromanticofferingontheshrineofthemostpassionatedevotion?Ibutindistinctlyrecallthefactitself--whatwonderthatIhaveutterlyforgottenthecircumstanceswhichoriginatedorattendedit?And,indeed,ifevershe,thewanandthemisty-wingedAshtophetofidolatrousEgypt,presided,astheytell,overmarriagesill-omened,thenmostsurelyshepresidedovermine.Thereisonedeartopic,however,onwhichmymemoryfallsmenot.ItisthepersonofLigeia.Instatureshewastall,somewhatslender,and,inherlatterdays,evenemaciated.Iwouldinvainattempttoportraythemajesty,thequietease,ofherdemeanor,ortheincomprehensiblelightnessandelasticityofherfootfall.Shecameanddepartedasashadow.Iwasnevermadeawareofherentranceintomyclosedstudysavebythedearmusicofherlowsweetvoice,assheplacedhermarblehanduponmyshoulder.Inbeautyoffacenomaideneverequalledher.Itwastheradianceofanopium-dream--anairyandspirit-liftingvisionmorewildlydivinethanthephantasieswhichhoveredvisionabouttheslumberingsoulsofthedaughtersofDelos.Yetherfeatureswerenotofthatregularmouldwhichwehavebeenfalselytaughttoworshipintheclassicallaborsoftheheathen.quot;Thereisnoexquisitebeauty,quot;saysBacon,LordVerulam,speakingtrulyofalltheformsandgeneraofbeauty,withoutsomestrangenessintheproportion.quot;Yet,althoughIsawthatthefeaturesofLigeiawerenotofaclassicregularity--althoughIperceivedthatherlovelinesswasindeedquot;exquisite,quot;andfeltthattherewasmuchofquot;strangenessquot;pervadingit,yetIhavetriedinvaintodetecttheirregularityandtotracehomemyownperceptionofquot;thestrange.quot;Iexaminedthecontouroftheloftyandpaleforehead--itwasfaultless--howcoldindeedthatwordwhenappliedtoamajestysodivine!--theskinrivallingthepurestivory,thecommandingextentandrepose,thegentleprominenceoftheregionsabovethetemples;andthentheraven-black,theglossy,theluxuriantandnaturally-curlingtresses,settingforththefullforceoftheHomericepithet,quot;hyacinthine!quot;Ilookedatthedelicateoutlinesofthenose--andnowherebutinthegracefulmedallionsoftheHebrewshadIbeheldasimilarperfection.Therewerethesameluxurioussmoothnessofsurface,thesamescarcelyperceptibletendencytotheaquiline,thesameharmoniouslycurvednostrilsspeakingthefreespirit.Iregardedthesweetmouth.Herewasindeedthetriumphofallthingsheavenly--themagnificentturnoftheshortupperlip--thesoft,voluptuousslumberoftheunder--thedimpleswhichsported,andthecolorwhichspoke--theteethglancingback,withabrilliancyalmoststartling,everyrayoftheholylightwhichfellupontheminhersereneandplacid,yetmostexultinglyradiantofallsmiles.Iscrutinizedtheformationofthechin--andhere,too,Ifoundthegentlenessofbreadth,thesoftnessandthemajesty,thefullnessandthespirituality,oftheGreek--thecontourwhichthegodApollorevealedbutinadream,toCleomenes,thesonoftheAthenian.AndthenIpeeredintothelargeevesofLigeia.Foreyeswehavenomodelsintheremotelyantique.Itmighthavebeen,too,thatintheseevesofmybelovedlaythesecrettowhichLordVerulamalludes.Theywere,Imustbelieve,farlargerthantheordinaryeyesofourownrace.TheywereevenfullerthanthefullestofthegazelleeyesofthetribeofthevalleyofNourjahad.Yetitwasonlyatintervals--inmomentsofintenseexcitement--thatthispeculiaritybecamemorethanslightlynoticeableinLigeia.Andatsuchmomentswasherbeauty--inmyheatedfancythusitappearedperhaps--thebeautyofbeingseitheraboveorapartfromtheearth--thebeautyofthefabulousHourioftheTurk.Thehueoftheorbswasthemostbrilliantofblack,and,faroverthem,hungjettylashesofgreatlength.Thebrows,slightlyirregularinoutline,hadthesametint.Thequot;strangeness,quot;however,whichIfoundintheeyes,wasofanaturedistinctfromtheformation,orthecolor,orthebrilliancyofthefeatures,andmust,afterall,bereferredtotheexpression.Ah,wordofnomeaning!behindwhosevastlatitudeofmeresoundweintrenchourignoranceofsomuchofthespiritual.TheexpressionoftheeyesofLigeia!HowforlonghourshaveIpondereduponit!HowhaveI,throughthewholeofamidsummernight,struggledtofathomit!Whatwasit--thatsomethingmoreprofoundthanthewellofDemocritus--whichlayfarwithinthepupilsofmybeloved?Whatwasit?Iwaspossessedwithapassiontodiscover.Thoseeyes!thoselarge,thoseshining,thosedivineorbs!theybecametometwinstarsofLeda,andItothemdevoutestofastrologers.Thereisnopoint,amongthemanyincomprehensibleanomaliesofthescienceofmind,morethrillinglyexcitingthanthefact--never,Ibelieve,noticedintheschools--that,inourendeavorstorecalltomemorysomethinglongforgotten,weoftenfindourselvesupontheveryvergeofremembrance,withoutbeingable,intheend,toremember.Andthushowfrequently,inmyintensescrutinyofLigeiaseyes,haveIfeltapproachingthefullknowledgeoftheirexpression--feltitapproaching--yetnotquitebemine--andsoatlengthentirelydepart!And(strange,ohstrangestmysteryofall!)Ifound,inthecommonestobjectsoftheuniverse,acircleofanalogiestotheatexpression.Imeantosaythat,subsequentlytotheperiodwhenLigeiasbeautypassedintomyspirit,theredwellingasinashrine,Iderived,frommanyexistencesinthematerialworld,asentimentsuchasIfeltalwaysarousedwithinmebyherlargeandluminousorbs.YetnotthemorecouldIdefinethatsentiment,oranalyze,orevensteadilyviewit.Irecognizedit,letmerepeat,sometimesinthesurveyofarapidly-growingvine--inthecontemplationofamoth,abutterfly,achrysalis,astreamofrunningwater.Ihavefeltitintheocean;inthefallingofameteor.Ihavefeltitintheglancesofunusuallyagedpeople.Andthereareoneortwostarsinheaven--(oneespecially,astarofthesixthmagnitude,doubleandchangeable,tobefoundnearthelargestarinLyra)inatelescopicscrutinyofwhichIhavebeenmadeawareofthefeeling.Ihavebeenfilledwithitbycertainsoundsfromstringedinstruments,andnotunfrequentlybypassagesfrombooks.Amonginnumerableotherinstances,IwellremembersomethinginavolumeofJosephGlanvill,which(perhapsmerelyfromitsquaintness--whoshallsay?)neverfailedtoinspiremewiththesentiment;--quot;Andthewillthereinlieth,whichdiethnot.Whoknoweththemysteriesofthewill,withitsvigor?ForGodisbutagreatwillpervadingallthingsbynatureofitsintentness.Mandothnotyieldhimtotheangels,noruntodeathutterly,saveonlythroughtheweaknessofhisfeeblewill.quot;Lengthofyears,andsubsequentreflection,haveenabledmetotrace,indeed,someremoteconnectionbetweenthispassageintheEnglishmoralistandaportionofthecharacterofLigeia.Anintensityinthought,action,orspeech,waspossibly,inher,aresult,oratleastanindex,ofthatgiganticvolitionwhich,duringourlongintercourse,failedtogiveotherandmoreimmediateevidenceofitsexistence.OfallthewomenwhomIhaveeverknown,she,theoutwardlycalm,theever-placidLigeia,wasthemostviolentlyapreytothetumultuousvulturesofsternpassion.AndofsuchpassionIcouldformnoestimate,savebythemiraculousexpansionofthoseeyeswhichatoncesodelightedandappalledme--bythealmostmagicalmelody,modulation,distinctnessandplacidityofherverylowvoice--andbythefierceenergy(rendereddoublyeffectivebycontrastwithhermannerofutterance)ofthewildwordswhichshehabituallyuttered.IhavespokenofthelearningofLigeia:itwasimmense--suchasIhaveneverknowninwoman.Intheclassicaltongueswasshedeeplyproficient,andasfarasmyownacquaintanceextendedinregardtothemoderndialectsofEurope,Ihaveneverknownheratfault.Indeeduponanythemeofthemostadmired,becausesimplythemostabstruseoftheboastederuditionoftheacademy,haveIeverfoundLigeiaatfault?Howsingularly--howthrillingly,thisonepointinthenatureofmywifehasforceditself,atthislateperiodonly,uponmyattention!IsaidherknowledgewassuchasIhaveneverknowninwoman--butwherebreathesthemanwhohastraversed,andsuccessfully,allthewideareasofmoral,physical,andmathematicalscience?IsawnotthenwhatInowclearlyperceive,thattheacquisitionsofLigeiaweregigantic,wereastounding;yetIwassufficientlyawareofherinfinitesupremacytoresignmyself,withachild-likeconfidence,toherguidancethroughthechaoticworldofmetaphysicalinvestigationatwhichIwasmostbusilyoccupiedduringtheearlieryearsofourmarriage.Withhowvastatriumph--withhowvividadelight--withhowmuchofallthatisetherealinhope--didIfeel,asshebentovermeinstudiesbutlittlesought--butlessknown--thatdeliciousvistabyslowdegreesexpandingbeforeme,downwhoselong,gorgeous,andalluntroddenpath,Imightatlengthpassonwardtothegoalofawisdomtoodivinelypreciousnottobeforbidden!Howpoignant,then,musthavebeenthegriefwithwhich,aftersomeyears,Ibeheldmywell-groundedexpectationstakewingstothemselvesandflyaway!WithoutLigeiaIwasbutasachildgropingbenighted.Herpresence,herreadingsalone,renderedvividlyluminousthemanymysteriesofthetranscendentalisminwhichwewereimmersed.Wantingtheradiantlustreofhereyes,letters,lambentandgolden,grewdullerthanSaturnianlead.AndnowthoseeyesshonelessandlessfrequentlyuponthepagesoverwhichIpored.Ligeiagrewill.Thewildeyesblazedwithatoo--toogloriouseffulgence;thepalefingersbecameofthetransparentwaxenhueofthegrave,andtheblueveinsupontheloftyforeheadswelledandsankimpetuouslywiththetidesofthegentleemotion.Isawthatshemustdie--andIstruggleddesperatelyinspiritwiththegrimAzrael.Andthestrugglesofthepassionatewifewere,tomyastonishment,evenmoreenergeticthanmyown.Therehadbeenmuchinhersternnaturetoimpressmewiththebeliefthat,toher,deathwouldhavecomewithoutitsterrors;--butnotso.WordsareimpotenttoconveyanyjustideaofthefiercenessofresistancewithwhichshewrestledwiththeShadow.Igroanedinanguishatthepitiablespectacle.wouldhavesoothed--Iwouldhavereasoned;but,intheintensityofherwilddesireforlife,--forlife--butforlife--solaceandreasonweretheuttermostfolly.Yetnotuntilthelastinstance,amidthemostconvulsivewrithingsofherfiercespirit,wasshakentheexternalplacidityofherdemeanor.Hervoicegrewmoregentle--grewmorelow--yetIwouldnotwishtodwelluponthewildmeaningofthequietlyutteredwords.MybrainreeledasIhearkenedentranced,toamelodymorethanmortal--toassumptionsandaspirationswhichmortalityhadneverbeforeknown.ThatshelovedmeIshouldnothavedoubted;andImighthavebeeneasilyawarethat,inabosomsuchashers,lovewouldhavereignednoordinarypassion.Butindeathonly,wasIfullyimpressedwiththestrengthofheraffection.Forlonghours,detainingmyhand,wouldshepouroutbeforemetheoverflowingofaheartwhosemorethanpassionatedevotionamountedtoidolatry.HowhadIdeservedtobesoblessedbysuchconfessions?--howhadIdeservedtobesocursedwiththeremovalofmybelovedinthehourofhermakingthem,ButuponthissubjectIcannotbeartodilate.Letmesayonly,thatinLigeiasmorethanwomanlyabandonmenttoalove,alas!allunmerited,allunworthilybestowed,Iatlengthrecognizedtheprincipleofherlongingwithsowildlyearnestadesireforthelifewhichwasnowfleeingsorapidlyaway.Itisthiswildlonging--itisthiseagervehemenceofdesireforlife--butforlife--thatIhavenopowertoportray--noutterancecapableofexpressing.Athighnoonofthenightinwhichshedeparted,beckoningme,peremptorily,toherside,shebademerepeatcertainversescomposedbyherselfnotmanydaysbefore.Iobeyedher.--Theywerethese:Lo!tisagalanightWithinthelonesomelatteryears!Anangelthrong,bewinged,bedightInveils,anddrownedintears,Sitinatheatre,toseeAplayofhopesandfears,WhiletheorchestrabreathesfitfullyThemusicofthespheres.Mimes,intheformofGodonhigh,Mutterandmumblelow,Andhitherandthitherfly;Merepuppetsthey,whocomeandgoAtbiddingofvastformlessthingsThatshiftthescenerytoandfro,FlappingfromouttheirCondorwingsInvisibleWo!Thatmotleydrama!--oh,besureItshallnotbeforgot!WithitsPhantomchasedforevermore,Byacrowdthatseizeitnot,ThroughacirclethateverreturnethinTotheself-samespot,AndmuchofMadnessandmoreofSinAndHorrorthesouloftheplot.Butsee,amidthemimicrout,Acrawlingshapeintrude!Ablood-redthingthatwrithesfromoutThescenicsolitude!Itwrithes!--itwrithes!--withmortalpangsThemimesbecomeitsfood,AndtheseraphssobatverminfangsInhumangoreimbued.Out--outarethelights--outall!Andovereachquiveringform,Thecurtain,afuneralpall,Comesdownwiththerushofastorm,Andtheangels,allpallidandwan,Uprising,unveiling,affirmThattheplayisthetragedy,quot;Man,quot;AnditsherotheConquerorWorm.quot;OGod!quot;halfshriekedLigeia,leapingtoherfeetandextendingherarmsaloftwithaspasmodicmovement,asImadeanendoftheselines--quot;OGod!ODivineFather!--shallthesethingsbeundeviatinglyso?--shallthisConquerorbenotonceconquered?ArewenotpartandparcelinThee?Who--whoknoweththemysteriesofthewillwithitsvigor?Mandothnotyieldhimtotheangels,noruntodeathutterly,saveonlythroughtheweaknessofhisfeeblewill.quot;Andnow,asifexhaustedwithemotion,shesufferedherwhitearmstofall,andreturnedsolemnlytoherbedofdeath.Andasshebreathedherlastsighs,therecamemingledwiththemalowmurmurfromherlips.Ibenttothemmyearanddistinguished,again,theconcludingwordsofthepassageinGlanvill--quot;Mandothnotyieldhimtotheangels,noruntodeathutterly,saveonlythroughtheweaknessofhisfeeblewill.quot;Shedied;--andI,crushedintotheverydustwithsorrow,couldnolongerendurethelonelydesolationofmydwellinginthedimanddecayingcitybytheRhine.Ihadnolackofwhattheworldcallswealth.Ligeiahadbroughtmefarmore,veryfarmorethanordinarilyfallstothelotofmortals.Afterafewmonths,therefore,ofwearyandaimlesswandering,Ipurchased,andputinsomerepair,anabbey,whichIshallnotname,inoneofthewildestandleastfrequentedportionsoffairEngland.Thegloomyanddrearygrandeurofthebuilding,thealmostsavageaspectofthedomain,themanymelancholyandtime-honoredmemoriesconnectedwithboth,hadmuchinunisonwiththefeelingsofutterabandonmentwhichhaddrivenmeintothatremoteandunsocialregionofthecountry.Yetalthoughtheexternalabbey,withitsverdantdecayhangingaboutit,sufferedbutlittlealteration,Igaveway,withachild-likeperversity,andperchancewithafainthopeofalleviatingmysorrows,toadisplayofmorethanregalmagnificencewithin.--Forsuchfollies,eveninchildhood,Ihadimbibedatasteandnowtheycamebacktomeasifinthedotageofgrief.Alas,Ifeelhowmuchevenofincipientmadnessmighthavebeendiscoveredinthegorgeousandfantasticdraperies,inthesolemncarvingsofEgypt,inthewildcornicesandfurniture,intheBedlampatternsofthecarpetsoftuftedgold!Ihadbecomeaboundenslaveinthetrammelsofopium,andmylaborsandmyordershadtakenacoloringfrommydreams.Buttheseabsurditiesmustnotpausetodetail.Letmespeakonlyofthatonechamber,everaccursed,whitherinamomentofmentalalienation,Iledfromthealtarasmybride--asthesuccessoroftheunforgottenLigeia--thefair-hairedandblue-eyedLadyRowenaTrevanion,ofTremaine.Thereisnoindividualportionofthearchitectureanddecorationofthatbridalchamberwhichisnotnowvisiblybeforeme.Wherewerethesoulsofthehaughtyfamilyofthebride,when,throughthirstofgold,theypermittedtopassthethresholdofanapartmentsobedecked,amaidenandadaughtersobeloved?IhavesaidthatIminutelyrememberthedetailsofthechamber--yetIamsadlyforgetfulontopicsofdeepmoment--andheretherewasnosystem,nokeeping,inthefantasticdisplay,totakeholduponthememory.Theroomlayinahighturretofthecastellatedabbey,waspentagonalinshape,andofcapacioussize.Occupyingthewholesouthernfaceofthepentagonwasthesolewindow--animmensesheetofunbrokenglassfromVenice--asinglepane,andtintedofaleadenhue,sothattheraysofeitherthesunormoon,passingthroughit,fellwithaghastlylustreontheobjectswithin.Overtheupperportionofthishugewindow,extendedthetrellice-workofanagedvine,whichclamberedupthemassywallsoftheturret.Theceiling,ofgloomy-lookingoak,wasexcessivelylofty,vaulted,andelaboratelyfrettedwiththewildestandmostgrotesquespecimensofasemi-Gothic,semi-Druidicaldevice.Fromoutthemostcentralrecessofthismelancholyvaulting,depended,byasinglechainofgoldwithlonglinks,ahugecenserofthesamemetal,Saracenicinpattern,andwithmanyperforationssocontrivedthattherewrithedinandoutofthem,asifenduedwithaserpentvitality,acontinualsuccessionofparti-coloredfires.Somefewottomansandgoldencandelabra,ofEasternfigure,wereinvariousstationsabout--andtherewasthecouch,too--bridalcouch--ofanIndianmodel,andlow,andsculpturedofsolidebony,withapall-likecanopyabove.Ineachoftheanglesofthechamberstoodonendagiganticsarcophagusofblackgranite,fromthetombsofthekingsoveragainstLuxor,withtheiragedlidsfullofimmemorialsculpture.Butinthedrapingoftheapartmentlay,alas!thechiefphantasyofall.Theloftywalls,giganticinheight--evenunproportionablyso--werehungfromsummittofoot,invastfolds,withaheavyandmassive-lookingtapestry--tapestryofamaterialwhichwasfoundalikeasacarpetonthefloor,asacoveringfortheottomansandtheebonybed,asacanopyforthebed,andasthegorgeousvolutesofthecurtainswhichpartiallyshadedthewindow.Thematerialwastherichestclothofgold.Itwasspottedallover,atirregularintervals,witharabesquefigures,aboutafootindiameter,andwroughtupontheclothinpatternsofthemostjettyblack.Butthesefigurespartookofthetruecharacterofthearabesqueonlywhenregardedfromasinglepointofview.Byacontrivancenowcommon,andindeedtraceabletoaveryremoteperiodofantiquity,theyweremadechangeableinaspect.Tooneenteringtheroom,theyboretheappearanceofsimplemonstrosities;butuponafartheradvance,thisappearancegraduallydeparted;andstepbystep,asthevisitormovedhisstationinthechamber,hesawhimselfsurroundedbyanendlesssuccessionoftheghastlyformswhichbelongtothesuperstitionoftheNorman,orariseintheguiltyslumbersofthemonk.Thephantasmagoriceffectwasvastlyheightenedbytheartificialintroductionofastrongcontinualcurrentofwindbehindthedraperies--givingahideousanduneasyanimationtothewhole.Inhallssuchasthese--inabridalchambersuchasthis--Ipassed,withtheLadyofTremaine,theunhallowedhoursofthefirstmonthofourmarriage--passedthemwithbutlittledisquietude.Thatmywifedreadedthefiercemoodinessofmytemper--thatsheshunnedmeandlovedmebutlittle--Icouldnothelpperceiving;butitgavemeratherpleasurethanotherwise.Iloathedherwithahatredbelongingmoretodemonthantoman.Mymemoryflewback,(oh,withwhatintensityofregret!)toLigeia,thebeloved,theaugust,thebeautiful,theentombed.Irevelledinrecollectionsofherpurity,ofherwisdom,ofherlofty,heretherealnature,ofherpassionate,heridolatrouslove.Now,then,didmyspiritfullyandfreelyburnwithmorethanallthefiresofherown.Intheexcitementofmyopiumdreams(forIwashabituallyfetteredintheshacklesofthedrug)Iwouldcallalouduponhername,duringthesilenceofthenight,oramongtheshelteredrecessesoftheglensbyday,asif,throughthewildeagerness,thesolemnpassion,theconsumingardorofmylongingforthedeparted,Icouldrestorehertothepathwayshehadabandoned--ah,coulditbeforever?--upontheearth.Aboutthecommencementofthesecondmonthofthemarriage,theLadyRowenawasattackedwithsuddenillness,fromwhichherrecoverywasslow.Thefeverwhichconsumedherrenderedhernightsuneasy;andinherperturbedstateofhalf-slumber,shespokeofsounds,andofmotions,inandaboutthechamberoftheturret,whichIconcludedhadnooriginsaveinthedistemperofherfancy,orperhapsinthephantasmagoricinfluencesofthechamberitself.Shebecameatlengthconvalescent--finallywell.Yetbutabriefperiodelapsed,ereasecondmoreviolentdisorderagainthrewheruponabedofsuffering;andfromthisattackherframe,atalltimesfeeble,neveraltogetherrecovered.Herillnesseswere,afterthisepoch,ofalarmingcharacter,andofmorealarmingrecurrence,defyingaliketheknowledgeandthegreatexertionsofherphysicians.Withtheincreaseofthechronicdiseasewhichhadthus,apparently,takentoosureholduponherconstitutiontobeeradicatedbyhumanmeans,Icouldnotfalltoobserveasimilarincreaseinthenervousirritationofhertemperament,andinherexcitabilitybytrivialcausesoffear.Shespokeagain,andnowmorefrequentlyandpertinaciously,ofthesounds--oftheslightsounds--andoftheunusualmotionsamongthetapestries,towhichshehadformerlyalluded.Onenight,neartheclosinginofSeptember,shepressedthisdistressingsubjectwithmorethanusualemphasisuponmyattention.Shehadjustawakenedfromanunquietslumber,andIhadbeenwatching,withfeelingshalfofanxiety,halfofvagueterror,theworkingsofheremaciatedcountenance.Isatbythesideofherebonybed,upononeoftheottomansofIndia.Shepartlyarose,andspoke,inanearnestlowwhisper,ofsoundswhichshethenheard,butwhichIcouldnothear--ofmotionswhichshethensaw,butwhichIcouldnotperceive.Thewindwasrushinghurriedlybehindthetapestries,andIwishedtoshowher(what,letmeconfessit,Icouldnotallbelieve)thatthosealmostinarticulatebreathings,andthoseverygentlevariationsofthefiguresuponthewall,werebutthenaturaleffectsofthatcustomaryrushingofthewind.Butadeadlypallor,overspreadingherface,hadprovedtomethatmyexertionstoreassureherwouldbefruitless.Sheappearedtobefainting,andnoattendantswerewithincall.Irememberedwherewasdepositedadecanteroflightwinewhichhadbeenorderedbyherphysicians,andhastenedacrossthechambertoprocureit.But,asIsteppedbeneaththelightofthecenser,twocircumstancesofastartlingnatureattractedmyattention.Ihadfeltthatsomepalpablealthoughinvisibleobjecthadpassedlightlybymyperson;andIsawthattherelayuponthegoldencarpet,intheverymiddleoftherichlustrethrownfromthecenser,ashadow--afaint,indefiniteshadowofangelicaspect--suchasmightbefanciedfortheshadowofashade.ButIwaswildwiththeexcitementofanimmoderatedoseofopium,andheededthesethingsbutlittle,norspokeofthemtoRowena.Havingfoundthewine,Irecrossedthechamber,andpouredoutagobletful,whichIheldtothelipsofthefaintinglady.Shehadnowpartiallyrecovered,however,andtookthevesselherself,whileIsankuponanottomannearme,withmyeyesfasteneduponherperson.ItwasthenthatIbecamedistinctlyawareofagentlefootfalluponthecarpet,andnearthecouch;andinasecondthereafter,asRowenawasintheactofraisingthewinetoherlips,Isaw,ormayhavedreamedthatIsaw,fallwithinthegoblet,asiffromsomeinvisiblespringintheatmosphereoftheroom,threeorfourlargedropsofabrilliantandrubycoloredfluid.IfthisIsaw--notsoRowena.Sheswallowedthewineunhesitatingly,andIforboretospeaktoherofacircumstancewhichmust,afterall,Iconsidered,havebeenbutthesuggestionofavividimagination,renderedmorbidlyactivebytheterrorofthelady,bytheopium,andbythehour.YetIcannotconcealitfrommyownperceptionthat,immediatelysubsequenttothefalloftheruby-drops,arapidchangefortheworsetookplaceinthedisorderofmywife;sothat,onthethirdsubsequentnight,thehandsofhermenialspreparedherforthetomb,andonthefourth,Isatalone,withhershroudedbody,inthatfantasticchamberwhichhadreceivedherasmybride.--Wildvisions,opium-engendered,flitted,shadow-like,beforeme.Igazedwithunquieteyeuponthesarcophagiintheanglesoftheroom,uponthevaryingfiguresofthedrapery,anduponthewrithingoftheparti-coloredfiresinthecenseroverhead.Myeyesthenfell,asIcalledtomindthecircumstancesofaformernight,tothespotbeneaththeglareofthecenserwhereIhadseenthefainttracesoftheshadow.Itwasthere,however,nolonger;andbreathingwithgreaterfreedom,Iturnedmyglancestothepallidandrigidfigureuponthebed.ThenrusheduponmeathousandmemoriesofLigeia--andthencamebackuponmyheart,withtheturbulentviolenceofaflood,thewholeofthatunutterablewowithwhichIhadregardedherthusenshrouded.Thenightwaned;andstill,withabosomfullofbitterthoughtsoftheoneonlyandsupremelybeloved,IremainedgazinguponthebodyofRowena.Itmighthavebeenmidnight,orperhapsearlier,orlater,forIhadtakennonoteoftime,whenasob,low,gentle,butverydistinct,startledmefrommyrevery.--Ifeltthatitcamefromthebedofebony--thebedofdeath.Ilistenedinanagonyofsuperstitiousterror--buttherewasnorepetitionofthesound.Istrainedmyvisiontodetectanymotioninthecorpse--buttherewasnottheslightestperceptible.YetIcouldnothavebeendeceived.Ihadheardthenoise,howeverfaint,andmysoulwasawakenedwithinme.Iresolutelyandperseveringlykeptmyattentionriveteduponthebody.Manyminuteselapsedbeforeanycircumstanceoccurredtendingtothrowlightuponthemystery.Atlengthitbecameevidentthataslight,averyfeeble,andbarelynoticeabletingeofcolorhadflushedupwithinthecheeks,andalongthesunkensmallveinsoftheeyelids.Throughaspeciesofunutterablehorrorandawe,forwhichthelanguageofmortalityhasnosufficientlyenergeticexpression,Ifeltmyheartceasetobeat,mylimbsgrowrigidwhereIsat.Yetasenseofdutyfinallyoperatedtorestoremyself-possession.Icouldnolongerdoubtthatwehadbeenprecipitateinourpreparations--thatRowenastilllived.Itwasnecessarythatsomeimmediateexertionbemade;yetturretwasaltogetherapartfromtheportionoftheabbeytenantedbytheservants--therewerenonewithincall--Ihadnomeansofsummoningthemtomyaidwithoutleavingtheroomformanyminutes--andthisIcouldnotventuretodo.Ithereforestruggledaloneinmyendeavorstocallbackthespiritillhovering.Inashortperioditwascertain,however,thatarelapsehadtakenplace;thecolordisappearedfrombotheyelidandcheek,leavingawannessevenmorethanthatofmarble;thelipsbecamedoublyshrivelledandpinchedupintheghastlyexpressionofdeath;arepulsiveclamminessandcoldnessoverspreadrapidlythesurfaceofthebody;andalltheusualrigorousillnessimmediatelysupervened.IfellbackwithashudderuponthecouchfromwhichIhadbeensostartlinglyaroused,andagaingavemyselfuptopassionatewakingvisionsofLigeia.Anhourthuselapsedwhen(coulditbepossible?)Iwasasecondtimeawareofsomevaguesoundissuingfromtheregionofthebed.Ilistened--inextremityofhorror.Thesoundcameagain--itwasasigh.Rushingtothecorpse,Isaw--distinctlysaw--atremoruponthelips.Inaminuteafterwardtheyrelaxed,disclosingabrightlineofthepearlyteeth.Amazementnowstruggledinmybosomwiththeprofoundawewhichhadhithertoreignedtherealone.Ifeltthatmyvisiongrewdim,thatmyreasonwandered;anditwasonlybyaviolenteffortthatIatlengthsucceededinnervingmyselftothetaskwhichdutythusoncemorehadpointedout.Therewasnowapartialglowupontheforeheadanduponthecheekandthroat;aperceptiblewarmthpervadedthewholeframe;therewasevenaslightpulsationattheheart.Theladylived;andwithredoubledardorIbetookmyselftothetaskofrestoration.Ichafedandbathedthetemplesandthehands,andusedeveryexertionwhichexperience,andnolittle.medicalreading,couldsuggest.Butinvain.Suddenly,thecolorfled,thepulsationceased,thelipsresumedtheexpressionofthedead,and,inaninstantafterward,thewholebodytookuponitselftheicychilliness,thelividhue,theintenserigidity,thesunkenoutline,andalltheloathsomepeculiaritiesofthatwhichhasbeen,formanydays,atenantofthetomb.AndagainIsunkintovisionsofLigeia--andagain,(whatmarvelthatIshudderwhileIwrite,)againtherereachedmyearsalowsobfromtheregionoftheebonybed.ButwhyshallIminutelydetailtheunspeakablehorrorsofthatnight?WhyshallIpausetorelatehow,timeaftertime,untilneartheperiodofthegraydawn,thishideousdramaofrevivificationwasrepeated;howeachterrificrelapsewasonlyintoasternerandapparentlymoreirredeemabledeath;howeachagonyworetheaspectofastrugglewithsomeinvisiblefoe;andhoweachstrugglewassucceededbyIknownotwhatofwildchangeinthepersonalappearanceofthecorpse?Letmehurrytoaconclusion.Thegreaterpartofthefearfulnighthadwornaway,andshewhohadbeendead,onceagainstirred--andnowmorevigorouslythanhitherto,althougharousingfromadissolutionmoreappallinginitsutterhopelessnessthanany.Ihadlongceasedtostruggleortomove,andremainedsittingrigidlyupontheottoman,ahelplesspreytoawhirlofviolentemotions,ofwhichextremeawewasperhapstheleastterrible,theleastconsuming.Thecorpse,Irepeat,stirred,andnowmorevigorouslythanbefore.Thehuesoflifeflushedupwithunwontedenergyintothecountenance--thelimbsrelaxed--and,savethattheeyelidswereyetpressedheavilytogether,andthatthebandagesanddraperiesofthegravestillimpartedtheircharnelcharactertothefigure,ImighthavedreamedthatRowenahadindeedshakenoff,utterly,thefettersofDeath.Butifthisideawasnot,eventhen,altogetheradopted,Icouldatleastdoubtnolonger,when,arisingfromthebed,tottering,withfeeblesteps,withclosedeyes,andwiththemannerofonebewilderedinadream,thethingthatwasenshroudedadvancedboldlyandpalpablyintothemiddleoftheapartment.Itremblednot--Istirrednot--foracrowdofunutterablefanciesconnectedwiththeair,thestature,thedemeanorofthefigure,rushinghurriedlythroughmybrain,hadparalyzed--hadchilledmeintostone.Istirrednot--butgazedupontheapparition.Therewasamaddisorderinmythoughts--atumultunappeasable.Couldit,indeed,bethelivingRowenawhoconfrontedme?CoulditindeedbeRowenaatall--thefair-haired,theblue-eyedLadyRowenaTrevanionofTremaine?Why,whyshouldIdoubtit?Thebandagelayheavilyaboutthemouth--butthenmightitnotbethemouthofthebreathingLadyofTremaine?Andthecheeks-thereweretherosesasinhernoonoflife--yes,thesemightindeedbethefaircheeksofthelivingLadyofTremaine.Andthechin,withitsdimples,asinhealth,mightitnotbehers?--buthadshethengrowntallersincehermalady?Whatinexpressiblemadnessseizedmewiththatthought?Onebound,andIhadreachedherfeet!Shrinkingfrommytouch,sheletfallfromherhead,unloosened,theghastlycerementswhichhadconfinedit,andtherestreamedforth,intotherushingatmosphereofthechamber,hugemassesoflonganddishevelledhair;itwasblackerthantheravenwingsofthemidnight!Andnowslowlyopenedtheeyesofthefigurewhichstoodbeforeme.quot;Herethen,atleast,quot;Ishriekedaloud,quot;canInever--canIneverbemistaken--thesearethefull,andtheblack,andthewildeyes--ofmylostlove--ofthelady--oftheLADYLIGEIA.quot;-THEEND-EdgarAllanPoesshortstory:Ligeia