manner friend at once struck with an incoherence - an inconsistency ; and I soon found this to arise from series of feeble and futile struggles to overcome an habitual trepidancy - an excessive nervous agitation For something nature I had indeed been prepared, no less by his letter, than by reminiscences of certain boyish traits, and by conclusions deduced peculiar physical conformation and temperament His action was alternately vivacious and sullen His voice varied rapidly from tremulous indecision ( animal spirits seemed utterly in abeyance) species of energetic concision - that abrupt, weighty, unhurried, and hollow-sounding enunciation - that leaden, self-balanced and perfectly modulated guttural utterance, observed lost drunkard, or the irreclaimable eater of opium, during the periods most intense excitement

thus that he spoke object visit, earnest desire me, and solace he expected me to afford him He entered, at some length, into what he conceived the nature malady , , constitutional and family evil, and one he despaired remedy - mere nervous affection, he immediately added, which would undoubtedly soon pass off It displayed itself in host of unnatural sensations , as he detailed them, interested and bewildered me ; although, perhaps, the terms, general manner narration had their weight He suffered much from morbid acuteness senses ; the most insipid food was alone endurable; wear only garments of certain texture ; the odors of all flowers were oppressive ; his eyes were tortured by even faint light ; and there were but peculiar sounds, and these from stringed instruments, which inspire him with horror

To an anomalous species of terror him bounden slave " perish," said he, " perish deplorable folly Thus, thus, and not otherwise, shall I be lost I dread the events future, not in themselves, but in their results I shudder thought of any, even the most trivial, incident, operate intolerable agitation of soul , indeed, no abhorrence of danger, except in its absolute effect - in terror unnerved - pitiable condition - period will sooner or later arrive when abandon life and reason together, in some struggle grim phantasm, FEAR "

I learned, moreover, at intervals, and through broken and equivocal hints, another singular feature mental condition enchained by certain superstitious impressions in regard dwelling which he tenanted, and whence, for many years, he had never ventured forth - in regard to an influence whose supposititious force was conveyed in terms too shadowy here re-stated - an influence which some peculiarities mere form and substance family mansion, had, by dint of long sufferance, , obtained over his spirit - an effect which the physique gray walls and turrets, and dim tarn into which they all looked down, had, , brought about morale existence

He admitted, however, although with hesitation, that much peculiar gloom which thus afflicted him traced to more natural and far more palpable origin - severe and long-continued illness - indeed evidently approaching dissolution - of tenderly beloved sister - his sole companion for long years - his last and only relative on earth "Her decease," , with bitterness which never forget, "would leave him (him the hopeless frail) the last ancient race Ushers " While he spoke, the lady Madeline (for so was she called) passed slowly through remote portion apartment, and, without having noticed my presence, disappeared I regarded her with an utter astonishment not unmingled with dread - and yet it impossible to account for such feelings sensation of stupor oppressed me, as my eyes followed her retreating steps When door, , closed upon her, my glance sought instinctively and eagerly the countenance brother - but he had buried his face hands, and only perceive that far more than ordinary wanness had overspread the emaciated fingers through which trickled many passionate tears

The disease lady Madeline had long baffled the skill of her physicians settled apathy, gradual wasting away person, and frequent although transient affections of partially cataleptical character, were the unusual diagnosis Hitherto she had steadily borne up against the pressure of her malady, and betaken herself finally to bed ; but, closing in evening arrival house, she succumbed (as her brother told me at night with inexpressible agitation) prostrating power destroyer ; and I learned glimpse I had obtained of her person would thus probably be the last obtain - lady, while living, seen by me no more

For ensuing, her name was unmentioned by either Usher or myself: and during this period busied in earnest endeavors to alleviate the melancholy friend We painted and read together ; or I listened, in dream, wild improvisations speaking guitar And thus, as closer and still closer intimacy admitted me more unreservedly recesses spirit, the more bitterly did I perceive the futility of all attempt at cheering mind darkness, an inherent positive quality, poured forth upon all objects moral and physical universe, in one unceasing radiation of gloom

ever bear about me memory many solemn hours I thus spent alone master House of Usher Yet fail in any attempt to convey an idea exact character studies, or occupations, he involved me, or led me the way An excited and highly distempered ideality threw sulphureous lustre over all His long improvised dirges will ring forever in my ears Among other things, I hold painfully in mind certain singular perversion and amplification wild air last waltz of Von Weber paintings over which his elaborate fancy brooded, and which grew, touch by touch, into vaguenesses at which I shuddered the more thrillingly, because I shuddered knowing not why ; - paintings (vivid as their images now are before me) in vain endeavor to educe more than small portion which should lie compass of merely written words utter simplicity, nakedness designs, he arrested and overawed attention If ever mortal painted an idea, that mortal was Roderick Usher - circumstances then surrounding me - there arose pure abstractions which the hypochondriac contrived to throw upon his canvass, an intensity of intolerable awe, no shadow felt I ever yet contemplation certainly glowing yet too concrete reveries of Fuseli

phantasmagoric conceptions friend, partaking not so rigidly spirit of abstraction, shadowed forth, although feebly, in words small picture presented the interior of an immensely long and rectangular vault or tunnel, with low walls, smooth, white, and without interruption or device Certain accessory points design served well to convey the idea excavation lay at an exceeding depth below the surface earth No outlet was observed in any portion vast extent, and no torch, or other artificial source of light was discernible ; yet flood of intense rays rolled throughout, and bathed the whole in ghastly and inappropriate splendor

just spoken morbid condition auditory nerve which rendered all music intolerable sufferer, exception of certain effects of stringed instruments , perhaps, the narrow limits he thus confined himself guitar, which gave birth, in great measure, fantastic character performances But the fervid facility _impromptus so accounted for been, and were, notes, as words wild fantasias (for he not unfrequently accompanied himself with rhymed verbal improvisations), the result intense mental collectedness and concentration previously alluded as observable only moments highest artificial excitement The words of rhapsodies easily remembered , perhaps, the more forcibly impressed with it, as it, because, under or mystic current meaning, I fancied that I perceived, and first time, full consciousness of Usher, tottering lofty reason upon her throne The verses, which were entitled "The Haunted Palace," ran very nearly, accurately, thus:

I greenest valleys, By good angels tenanted, Once fair and stately palace - Radiant palace - reared its head monarch Thought's dominion - It stood there ! Never seraph spread pinion Over fabric half so fair II Banners yellow, glorious, golden, On its roof did float and flow; (This - all this - was olden Time ) And every gentle air that dallied, sweet day, Along the ramparts plumed and pallid, winged odor went away III Wanderers happy valley Through two luminous windows saw Spirits moving musically To lute's well-tund law, Round about throne, where sitting (Porphyrogene ! ) In state his glory well befitting, The ruler realm was seen IV And all with pearl and ruby glowing fair palace door, Through which came flowing, flowing, flowing, And sparkling evermore, troop of Echoes whose sweet duty Was but to sing, In voices of surpassing beauty, The wit and wisdom king V But evil things, in robes of sorrow, Assailed the monarch's high estate ; (Ah, mourn, for never morrow Shall dawn upon him, desolate ! ) And, round about his home, the glory That blushed and bloomed Is but dim-remembered story old time entombed VI And travellers now within that valley, red-litten windows, see Vast forms that move fantastically To discordant melody ; While, like rapid ghastly river, pale door, hideous throng rush out forever, And laugh - but smile no more