April 22, 2020 • 32 mins
"The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe
"The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe
"Annabel Lee" by Edgar Allan Poe
Author
Edgar Allan Poe - Biography
Cast
D.E. Medus - david.medusmedia.com
Special thanks to Well Travelled Beer for hosting our first live episode.
Music
Into the Unknown by Oddsprite
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:13):
Hello and welcome to meters podLive episode one. I'm your host
D Mitas. We're here at welltraveled beer in Goldsboro,
North Carolina to celebrate anight with Edgar Allan Poe.
Edgar Allan Poe is an Americanshort story writer, poet, critic
and editor who's famous for hiscultivation of mystery and the
McCobb. His tale the murders inthe Rue Morgue, initiated the
(00:34):
modern detective story, and theatmosphere in his tales of
horror is unrivaled in Americanfiction. His The Raven numbers
among the best known poems inthe national literature, the
raven is our first selection forthis evening. So without further
ado, the Raven.
(01:05):
Once upon a midnight dreary,while I pondered, weak and
weary, over many acquaints andcurious volume of forgotten
lore, while I nodded, nearlynapping, suddenly there came a
tapping as of someone gentlyrapping, rapping at my chamber
door to some visitor, Imuttered, tapping at my chamber
(01:30):
door. Only this nothing moredistinctly I remember it was in
the bleak December and eachseparate dying Ember wrote its
ghost upon the floor. Eagerly Iwished the morrow vainly I had
sought to borrow from my booksor cease of sorrow, sorrow, for
(01:51):
the lost Lenore. For the rareand radiants maiden on the
angels name, Lenore, namelesshere, forevermore. And the
silken sad uncertain rustling ofeach purple curtain thrilled me,
filled me with fantastic tearsnever felt before. So that now
(02:13):
to steal the beating of myheart, I stood repeating to some
visitor intriguing entrance ofmy chamber door, suddenly
visitor and treating entrance atmy chamber door. This it is
nothing more. Presently mysoldiers stronger hesitating
then no longer, sir, said I, ormadam, truly your forgiveness I
(02:39):
implore but the fact is, I wasnapping so gently, you came
wrapping and so you can taptapping at my chamber door that
I scarce was sure I heard you.Here. I opened wide the door,
darkness there, and nothingmore. deep into that darkness
(03:01):
peering long I stood therewondering, fearing dreaming
dreams, no mortal ever dared todream before. But the silence
was unbroken, and the stillnessgave no token, and the only word
there spoken was the whisperedword. And this I whispered, and
(03:21):
an echo murmured back the wordLenovo nearly this nothing more.
Back into the chamber turningall my soul within me burning
soon again I heard a tappingsomewhat louder than before.
Surely said hi. Surely that issomething that my window lattice
(03:45):
let me see them what they're atis and this mystery explorer.
Let my heart be still a moment.And this mystery Explorer is the
wind and nothing more. Open hereI've long Miss shutter with many
a flirt and flutter in therestepped a stately Raven. Of the
saintly days of you're not theleast of the sun's made he not a
(04:10):
minute stopped or stayed herebut with mine of Lord or Lady
perched above my chamber door,perched upon a bust of palace
just above my chamber doorperched and sat and nothing
more. Then this ebony birdbeguiling my sad fancy into
smiling, but the grave and sterndecorum of the countenance at
(04:34):
war, though they crest be shownand shaven now, I said, aren't
sure no Craven, ghastly, grimand ancient Raven wandering from
the knightly shore telling mewhat the Lord thy name is on
this nice plutonium shore? QuoteThe Raven, Nevermore. Much I
(04:56):
marveled this ungainly foul tohear discourse plainly, though
its answer little meaning littlerelevancy bore. For we cannot
help agreeing that no livinghuman being ever yet was blessed
with seeing bird above hischamber door, bird or beast upon
(05:16):
the sculpted bust above hischamber door with such a name as
never more. But the Ravensitting lonely on the blasted
bust spoke only that one word,as if his soul in that one word
he did outpour nothing furtherthan he uttered, not a feather
that he fluttered till Iscarcely more than other other
(05:40):
friends have flown before. Andtomorrow he will leave me as my
hopes as long before.
Then the bird said, Nevermore.startled at the stillness broken
by replies, so aptly spoken,darkness, said I wanted others
is its only stocking store callit from someone happy master,
(06:03):
who, when a merciful disasterfollowed fast and followed
faster until his songs Oneburden bore till the dirt is of
his hope, that melancholy burdenmore have never, never more. But
the Raven still beguiling all myfancy into smiling straight I
wheeled a cushion seat in frontof bird and bust and door. Then
(06:26):
upon the velvet sinking, I tookmyself to linking fancy and to
fancy thinking that this ominousbird of your what this grim,
ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, andominous bird of your meant in
croaking Nevermore. This I satengaged in guessing but no
(06:47):
syllable expressing to the foulwas fiery eyes now burned into
my bosoms core. This and more Isat divining, with my head at
ease reclining on the cushions,velvet lining with the lamp
light glow to door, but whosefill that violet lining with the
(07:07):
lamp light gloating or she shallpress? Ah, never more than me
thought the air grew denser,perfumed by some unseen sensor
swung by Sarafem, whosefootfalls tinkled on the tufted
floor. Rach, I cried, that Godhas lent the by these angels he
(07:34):
has sent the respite respite andindependent
D from my memories of Lenorecloth. Oh, Paul, this kind of
the pet D and forget this last
Lenore. quoth The Raven,Nevermore. Profit set up said I
think of evil profit still ifbird or devil whether temper
(07:58):
cent or whether tempest tossedthe here ashore desolate yo yet
all undaunted on this desertland enchanted on this home by
horror haunted telling me truly.I implore Is there is there boom
in Gilead Tell me tell me Iimplore you quote the Raven.
(08:22):
Nevermore. Prophet, said I, Deanof evil prophets still if bird
or devil by that heaven thatbends above us, by that God we
both adore telling this soulwith sorrow Layton within the
distance Aidan it shall class ifit shall class but saying to me
(08:43):
whom the angels name LenoreClass A rare and radiant mating
whom the angels name Lenore.With the Raven, Nevermore be
that word or sign of partingbird or themed I shrieked up
(09:03):
starting, get the back into theTempest and the nights Plutonian
shore leave no black plume as atoken of that lie they sold it
spoken. Leave my lonelinessunbroken he quit the bust above
my door, take thy beat from outmy heart and take thy form from
off my door with the Raven,Nevermore. And the Raven, never
(09:31):
flitting, still is sitting,still is sitting on that pallet
Buster Palace just above mychamber door. And his eyes have
all the seeming of a demons thatis dreaming, and the lamp light
or him streaming throws hisshadow on the floor and my soul
(09:54):
from out that shadow that liesfloating on the floor shall be
lifted Nevermore The Raven wasfirst released 175 years ago as
(10:22):
of last month. When the Ravenwas first released, it brought
Poe tons of celebrity andrecognition but no financial
success. He's quoted as saying,I have made no money. I am as
poor now as I ever was in mylife except in hope, which is by
no means bankable. Sounds likehe's a podcaster. Our second
(10:45):
selection will be the tale tothe tell tale heart. The Tell
Tale Heart was first publishedin 1843. And Paul was paid about
$10 for it, which in today'sdollars would be about 350.
Without further ado, thetelltale hearts true, nervous,
(11:21):
very, very dreadfully nervous Ihad been and am. But why will
you say that I am mad. Thedisease had sharpened my senses,
not destroyed, not dulled them.Above all, was the sense of
hearing acute. I heard allthings in the heaven then in the
(11:44):
earth. I heard many things inhell. How then, am I mad?
hearken. And observe howhealthily how calmly I can tell
you the whole story
is impossible to say how firstthe idea entered my brain. But
(12:07):
once conceived, it haunted meday and night. Object. There was
none. Passion, there was none. Iloved the old man, for he had
never wronged me. He had nevergiven me insult. For his gold, I
had no desire. I think it washis eye. Yes, it was this. He
(12:31):
had the eye of a vulture a paleblue eye with the film over it.
Whenever it fell upon me byblood ran cold. And so by
degrees very gradually, I madeup my mind to take the life of
the old man, and thus rid myselfof the eye forever. Now, this is
(12:55):
the points. You fancy me mad.Mad Men know nothing. But you
should have seen me. You shouldhave seen how wisely I proceeded
and with what caution with whatfour sites was what
dissimulation I went to work. Iwas never kinder to the old man
(13:18):
during the whole week before Ikilled him. Then every night,
about midnight, I turned thelatch of his door and opened it.
Oh so gently. And then, when Ihad made an opening sufficient
for my head, I put in a darklantern, all closed, closed,
(13:41):
that no light shone out. Andthen I thrust in my head. You
would have laughed to see howcunningly I thrust it in. I
moved it slowly. There you veryslowly so that I might not
disturb the old man's sleep. Ittook me an hour to place my
(14:05):
whole head within the opening sofar that I could see him as he
lie upon his bed. What a madmanhave been so wise is this. And
then, when my head was well inthe room, I undid the lantern
cautiously Oh, so cautiouslycautiously, for the hinges
(14:27):
creaked I undid it just so muchthat a single thin array fell
upon the vulture i. And this Idid for seven long nights every
night, just at midnight. When Ifound the I always closed so it
(14:47):
was impossible to do the work.For it was not the old man who
vexed me but his evil eye. Andevery morning when the day
broke, I went boldly into hischambers. Well courageously to
him, calling him by name and ahearty tone and inquiring how he
had passed the night. You see,he would have been a very
(15:09):
profound old man indeed tosuspect that every night just at
12 I looked in upon him while heslept. Upon the eighth nights, I
was more than usually cautiousin opening the door of watches
minute hand moves more quicklythan did mine. Never before that
(15:32):
night, had I felt the extent ofmy own powers of my sagacity. I
could scarcely contain myfeelings of triumph to think
that they are I was opening thedoor little by little, and he
not even to dream of my secretdeeds or thoughts. I fairly
(15:57):
chuckled at the idea, andperhaps he heard me, for he
moved on the bed suddenly, as ifstartled. You may think that I
drew back. But no. His room wasthis blackest pitch with a thick
darkness, for the shutters wereclose fastened, through fear of
(16:17):
robbers. And so I knew that hecould not see the opening of the
door, and I kept pushing it onsteadily, steadily. I had my
head in, and was about to openthe lantern when my thumb
slipped upon the fastening, andthe old man sprang up in bed
(16:38):
crying out who was there. I keptquiet and still and said
nothing. For a whole hour, I didnot move a muscle. And in the
meantime, I did not hear him liedown.
He was still sitting up in hisbed listening, just as I have
(16:59):
done night after night,hearkening to the death watches
in the wall. Presently, I hearda slight groan, and I know it
was the groan of mortal terror.It was not a groan of pain or
grief. Oh no. It was the lowstifled sound that arises from
(17:21):
the bottom of a soul whenovercharged with all I knew that
sound well. Many a night, justat midnight, when all the world
slept. It is welled up in my ownbosom deepening, with its
dreadful echo, the terrors thatdistracted me. I say I knew it's
(17:43):
well. I knew what the old manfelt, and pity them. Although I
chuckled at heart, I knew thathe had been lying awake ever
since the first slight noisewhen he had turned in the bed.
His fears had been ever sincegrowing upon him he had been
(18:05):
trying to fancy them causelessbut could not. He had been
saying to himself, it wasnothing but a wind in the
chimney or it was only a mousecrossing the floor, or it was
merely a cricket that was made asingle church. Yes, he had been
trying to comfort himself withthese suppositions but he was
(18:26):
found all in vain. All in vain,because death, in approaching
him, had stocked with his blackshadow before him and enveloped
the victim. And was the mournfulinfluence of the unperceived
shadow that caused him to feel,although he neither saw nor
(18:49):
heard, to feel the presence ofmy head within the room. When I
had waited a long time verypatiently, without hearing him
lie down, I resolved to open alittle, a very, very little
crevice in the lantern. So Iopened it. You cannot imagine
(19:14):
how stealthily, stealthilyuntil, at length, a simple dim
array, like the threat of aspider shot out from the crevice
and fell upon the vulture, I. Itwas open, wide, wide open, and I
grew furious As I gazed upon it.I saw it with perfect
(19:34):
distinctness all a dull bluewith a hideous veil over it, and
it chilled the very marrow in mybones. But I could see nothing
else of the old man's face orperson, for I had directed the
array as if by instinctprecisely upon the damned spot.
(19:54):
And Have I not told you thatwhat you mistake from madness is
but an over acuteness ofsensors. Now, I say, there came
to my ears a low, dull, quicksound, such as a watchmaker when
enveloped in cotton. I knew thatsound well too, and was the
(20:17):
beating of the old man's heart.It increased my theory, as the
beating of a drum stimulates thesoldier into courage. But even
yet I refrained and kept still.I scarcely breathe. I held the
lantern motionless. I tried howsteadily I could maintain the
(20:41):
array upon the eye. Meantime,the hellish tattoo of the heart
increased. It grew quicker andquicker, and louder and louder
with every instant the old man'sterror must have been extreme.
It grew louder and louder,louder every moment do you mark
(21:01):
me? Well, then I have told youthat I am nervous so I am. And
now in the dead hour of nightsamid the dreadful silence of the
old house so strange noise asthis excited me to
uncontrollable terror. Yet forsome minutes longer, I've
refrained and stood still. Butthe beating grew louder and
louder. I thought the heart mustburst. And now the new anxiety
(21:27):
seized me. The sound would beheard by a neighbor. The old
man's our had come with a loudyellow light through open the
lantern and leapt into the room.He shrieked once only once, and
in an instant I dragged him tothe floor and pulled the heavy
bed over him. I then smiled toGailey to find the deed so far
(21:49):
done, but for many minutes, theheartbeat on with a muffled
sound.
This, however, did not vex me.It would not be heard through
the wall. At length, it ceased.The old man was dead. I removed
(22:11):
the bed and examined the corpse.Yes, he was stone stone dead. I
placed my hand upon the heartand held it there for many
minutes. There was no pulsation.He was stone dead, his eye would
trouble me no more. If still youthink me mad, he will think so
(22:32):
no longer. When I described thewise precautions I took for the
concealment of the body. Thenight waned, and I worked
hastily, but in silence. Firstof all, I dismembered the
corpse. I cut off the head andarms and legs. I then took up
three planks from the floor ofthe chamber, and deposited all
(22:52):
between this gatlings. I thenreplaced the board so cleverly,
cunningly, that no human is noteven his could have detected
anything was wrong. There wasnothing to wash out no stain of
any kind, no bloodspot whatever.I had been too weary for that.
(23:14):
The tub had caught all. When Ihad made an end of these labors,
it was four o'clock. Still darkis midnight. As the bell sounded
the hour, there came a knockingat the street door. I went down
to open it with a light heartfor what had I to fear now.
(23:35):
They're entered three men, whointroduced themselves with
perfect suavity, as officers ofthe police. A shriek had been
heard by a neighbor during thenight suspicion of foul play had
been aroused information hadbeen lodged at the police
office, and they the officers,had been deputed to search the
premises. I smile, for what hadI to fear. I bade the gentleman
(24:01):
welcome. The shriek, I said, wasmy own in a dream. The old man I
mentioned was absent in thecountry. I took my visitors all
over the house, I bade themsearch search well. I led them
at length to his chamber. Ishowed them His treasures,
secure, undisturbed, and theenthusiasm of my confidence I
(24:25):
brought chairs into the room,and desired them here to rest
from their fatigues, while Imyself in the wild audacity of
my perfect triumph, placed myown seat upon the various spots
beneath which repurposed thecorpse of the victim the
officers were satisfied. My manahad convinced them I was
(24:50):
singularly at ease. They satwhile they sat and while I
answered Surely they chatteredwith familiar matters. But ere
long I felt myself getting paleand wished them gone. My head
ached, and I fancied a ringingin my ears but still, they sat
(25:14):
and chatted. The ringing becamemore distinct, it continued and
became more distinct. I talkedmore freely to get rid of the
feeling, but it continued andgain definiteness until at
length, I found that the noisewas not within my ears and now,
(25:45):
I grew very pale, but I talkedmore fluently, and with a
heightened voice yet the soundincreased. And what could I do?
It was a low dole quick soundmuch such a sound as a watch
makes when enveloped in cotton.I gasped for breath, and yet the
(26:07):
officers heard it not. I talkedmore quickly more vehemently,
but the noise steadilyincreased. I arose I argued
about trifles, and a high keywith violent gesticulations but
the noise steadily increased.Why would they not be gone? I
paced the floor to and fro withheavy strides as the as if
(26:30):
excited by the observations ofthe men, but the noise steadily
increased. Oh, God, what could Ido? I phoned I raved. I swore I
swung
the chair upon which I had beensitting and grated it up on the
floorboards. But the noise aroseabove all, and continually
increased. It grew louder andlouder. And still the min
(26:53):
chatted pleasantly, and smiled.Was it possible they heard not
almighty God? No, no, they heardthey suspected they knew. And
they were making a mockery of myhorror. This I thought in this I
think, but anything would bebetter than this agony. Anything
was more tolerable than thisderision. I could bear those
(27:14):
hypocritical smiles no longer Ifelt that I must scream or die
and now again Hawk louder.Louder. Louder villains I
streaked the symbol no more Iadmit the deed tear up the
planks hair here it's thebeating of this hideous art
(27:56):
our last election for theevening will be Annabel Lee
Annabel Lee was posed lastcompleted poem Annabel Lee It
(28:27):
was many and many a year ago inthe kingdom by the sea that a
maiden there lived um you mayknow by the name of Annabel Lee.
And this maiden, she lived withno other thoughts than to love
and be loved by me. I was achild and she was a child in
(28:54):
this kingdom by the sea. But weloved with the love that was
more than love. I and myAnnabelle the with the love that
the wings sheriff's of Heavencoveted her and me. And this was
the reason that long ago in thiskingdom by the sea, a wind blew
(29:20):
out of the cloud, chilling mybeautiful Annabel Lee, so that
her high born kinsmen came andbought her away from me to shut
her up and separate occur, andthis kingdom by the sea. The
angels not have so happy inheaven went in being her and me.
(29:47):
Yes, that was the reason as allmen know in this kingdom by the
sea, that the wind came out of acloud by night. Chilling and
killing My Annabel Lee but ourlove is stronger by far than the
love of those who are older thanwe have many far wiser than me.
(30:13):
And neither the angels in heavenabove nor the demons down under
the sea can ever discover mysoul from the soul of the
beautiful Annabel Lee. For themoon never beams without
bringing me dreams of thebeautiful Annabel Lee. And the
(30:34):
stars never rise. But I feel thebright eyes of the beautiful
Annabel Lee. And so, all thenight tide I lie down by the
side of my darling, my darling,my life and my bride in the sub
(30:59):
liquor there by the sea in hertomb by the sounding sea. The
(31:24):
Edgar Allan Poe Society ofBaltimore, Maryland has
identified 11 versions ofAnnabel Lee, that were published
between 1849 and 1850. Thebiggest variation is in the
final line. The originalmanuscript reads and her tomb by
the side of the sea thealternate version in her tomb by
the sounding see Well, that'sall for this episode, folks. Our
(31:49):
theme music is into the unknownby od Sprite, more of their
music can be found at oddsprite.com Mitas pod is released
under a Creative CommonsAttribution non commercial no
derivatives license, that meansyou can share it all you like
just don't change it or sell it.And I'd like to say thank you to
all the folks here at WorldTravel beer and Goldsboro, North
Carolina for coming out andhaving a drink and watching me
talk to my computer.
(32:16):
We'll see you next time folks.Have a good one.
Hello and welcome to meters podLive episode one. I'm your host
D Mitas. We're here at welltraveled beer in Goldsboro,
North Carolina to celebrate anight with Edgar Allan Poe.
Edgar Allan Poe is an Americanshort story writer, poet, critic
and editor who's famous for hiscultivation of mystery and the
McCobb. His tale the murders inthe Rue Morgue, initiated the
(00:34):
modern detective story, and theatmosphere in his tales of
horror is unrivaled in Americanfiction. His The Raven numbers
among the best known poems inthe national literature, the
raven is our first selection forthis evening. So without further
ado, the Raven.
(01:05):
Once upon a midnight dreary,while I pondered, weak and
weary, over many acquaints andcurious volume of forgotten
lore, while I nodded, nearlynapping, suddenly there came a
tapping as of someone gentlyrapping, rapping at my chamber
door to some visitor, Imuttered, tapping at my chamber
(01:30):
door. Only this nothing moredistinctly I remember it was in
the bleak December and eachseparate dying Ember wrote its
ghost upon the floor. Eagerly Iwished the morrow vainly I had
sought to borrow from my booksor cease of sorrow, sorrow, for
(01:51):
the lost Lenore. For the rareand radiants maiden on the
angels name, Lenore, namelesshere, forevermore. And the
silken sad uncertain rustling ofeach purple curtain thrilled me,
filled me with fantastic tearsnever felt before. So that now
(02:13):
to steal the beating of myheart, I stood repeating to some
visitor intriguing entrance ofmy chamber door, suddenly
visitor and treating entrance atmy chamber door. This it is
nothing more. Presently mysoldiers stronger hesitating
then no longer, sir, said I, ormadam, truly your forgiveness I
(02:39):
implore but the fact is, I wasnapping so gently, you came
wrapping and so you can taptapping at my chamber door that
I scarce was sure I heard you.Here. I opened wide the door,
darkness there, and nothingmore. deep into that darkness
(03:01):
peering long I stood therewondering, fearing dreaming
dreams, no mortal ever dared todream before. But the silence
was unbroken, and the stillnessgave no token, and the only word
there spoken was the whisperedword. And this I whispered, and
(03:21):
an echo murmured back the wordLenovo nearly this nothing more.
Back into the chamber turningall my soul within me burning
soon again I heard a tappingsomewhat louder than before.
Surely said hi. Surely that issomething that my window lattice
(03:45):
let me see them what they're atis and this mystery explorer.
Let my heart be still a moment.And this mystery Explorer is the
wind and nothing more. Open hereI've long Miss shutter with many
a flirt and flutter in therestepped a stately Raven. Of the
saintly days of you're not theleast of the sun's made he not a
(04:10):
minute stopped or stayed herebut with mine of Lord or Lady
perched above my chamber door,perched upon a bust of palace
just above my chamber doorperched and sat and nothing
more. Then this ebony birdbeguiling my sad fancy into
smiling, but the grave and sterndecorum of the countenance at
(04:34):
war, though they crest be shownand shaven now, I said, aren't
sure no Craven, ghastly, grimand ancient Raven wandering from
the knightly shore telling mewhat the Lord thy name is on
this nice plutonium shore? QuoteThe Raven, Nevermore. Much I
(04:56):
marveled this ungainly foul tohear discourse plainly, though
its answer little meaning littlerelevancy bore. For we cannot
help agreeing that no livinghuman being ever yet was blessed
with seeing bird above hischamber door, bird or beast upon
(05:16):
the sculpted bust above hischamber door with such a name as
never more. But the Ravensitting lonely on the blasted
bust spoke only that one word,as if his soul in that one word
he did outpour nothing furtherthan he uttered, not a feather
that he fluttered till Iscarcely more than other other
(05:40):
friends have flown before. Andtomorrow he will leave me as my
hopes as long before.
Then the bird said, Nevermore.startled at the stillness broken
by replies, so aptly spoken,darkness, said I wanted others
is its only stocking store callit from someone happy master,
(06:03):
who, when a merciful disasterfollowed fast and followed
faster until his songs Oneburden bore till the dirt is of
his hope, that melancholy burdenmore have never, never more. But
the Raven still beguiling all myfancy into smiling straight I
wheeled a cushion seat in frontof bird and bust and door. Then
(06:26):
upon the velvet sinking, I tookmyself to linking fancy and to
fancy thinking that this ominousbird of your what this grim,
ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, andominous bird of your meant in
croaking Nevermore. This I satengaged in guessing but no
(06:47):
syllable expressing to the foulwas fiery eyes now burned into
my bosoms core. This and more Isat divining, with my head at
ease reclining on the cushions,velvet lining with the lamp
light glow to door, but whosefill that violet lining with the
(07:07):
lamp light gloating or she shallpress? Ah, never more than me
thought the air grew denser,perfumed by some unseen sensor
swung by Sarafem, whosefootfalls tinkled on the tufted
floor. Rach, I cried, that Godhas lent the by these angels he
(07:34):
has sent the respite respite andindependent
D from my memories of Lenorecloth. Oh, Paul, this kind of
the pet D and forget this last
Lenore. quoth The Raven,Nevermore. Profit set up said I
think of evil profit still ifbird or devil whether temper
(07:58):
cent or whether tempest tossedthe here ashore desolate yo yet
all undaunted on this desertland enchanted on this home by
horror haunted telling me truly.I implore Is there is there boom
in Gilead Tell me tell me Iimplore you quote the Raven.
(08:22):
Nevermore. Prophet, said I, Deanof evil prophets still if bird
or devil by that heaven thatbends above us, by that God we
both adore telling this soulwith sorrow Layton within the
distance Aidan it shall class ifit shall class but saying to me
(08:43):
whom the angels name LenoreClass A rare and radiant mating
whom the angels name Lenore.With the Raven, Nevermore be
that word or sign of partingbird or themed I shrieked up
(09:03):
starting, get the back into theTempest and the nights Plutonian
shore leave no black plume as atoken of that lie they sold it
spoken. Leave my lonelinessunbroken he quit the bust above
my door, take thy beat from outmy heart and take thy form from
off my door with the Raven,Nevermore. And the Raven, never
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flitting, still is sitting,still is sitting on that pallet
Buster Palace just above mychamber door. And his eyes have
all the seeming of a demons thatis dreaming, and the lamp light
or him streaming throws hisshadow on the floor and my soul
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from out that shadow that liesfloating on the floor shall be
lifted Nevermore The Raven wasfirst released 175 years ago as
(10:22):
of last month. When the Ravenwas first released, it brought
Poe tons of celebrity andrecognition but no financial
success. He's quoted as saying,I have made no money. I am as
poor now as I ever was in mylife except in hope, which is by
no means bankable. Sounds likehe's a podcaster. Our second
(10:45):
selection will be the tale tothe tell tale heart. The Tell
Tale Heart was first publishedin 1843. And Paul was paid about
$10 for it, which in today'sdollars would be about 350.
Without further ado, thetelltale hearts true, nervous,
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very, very dreadfully nervous Ihad been and am. But why will
you say that I am mad. Thedisease had sharpened my senses,
not destroyed, not dulled them.Above all, was the sense of
hearing acute. I heard allthings in the heaven then in the
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earth. I heard many things inhell. How then, am I mad?
hearken. And observe howhealthily how calmly I can tell
you the whole story
is impossible to say how firstthe idea entered my brain. But
(12:07):
once conceived, it haunted meday and night. Object. There was
none. Passion, there was none. Iloved the old man, for he had
never wronged me. He had nevergiven me insult. For his gold, I
had no desire. I think it washis eye. Yes, it was this. He
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had the eye of a vulture a paleblue eye with the film over it.
Whenever it fell upon me byblood ran cold. And so by
degrees very gradually, I madeup my mind to take the life of
the old man, and thus rid myselfof the eye forever. Now, this is
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the points. You fancy me mad.Mad Men know nothing. But you
should have seen me. You shouldhave seen how wisely I proceeded
and with what caution with whatfour sites was what
dissimulation I went to work. Iwas never kinder to the old man
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during the whole week before Ikilled him. Then every night,
about midnight, I turned thelatch of his door and opened it.
Oh so gently. And then, when Ihad made an opening sufficient
for my head, I put in a darklantern, all closed, closed,
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that no light shone out. Andthen I thrust in my head. You
would have laughed to see howcunningly I thrust it in. I
moved it slowly. There you veryslowly so that I might not
disturb the old man's sleep. Ittook me an hour to place my
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whole head within the opening sofar that I could see him as he
lie upon his bed. What a madmanhave been so wise is this. And
then, when my head was well inthe room, I undid the lantern
cautiously Oh, so cautiouslycautiously, for the hinges
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creaked I undid it just so muchthat a single thin array fell
upon the vulture i. And this Idid for seven long nights every
night, just at midnight. When Ifound the I always closed so it
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was impossible to do the work.For it was not the old man who
vexed me but his evil eye. Andevery morning when the day
broke, I went boldly into hischambers. Well courageously to
him, calling him by name and ahearty tone and inquiring how he
had passed the night. You see,he would have been a very
(15:09):
profound old man indeed tosuspect that every night just at
12 I looked in upon him while heslept. Upon the eighth nights, I
was more than usually cautiousin opening the door of watches
minute hand moves more quicklythan did mine. Never before that
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night, had I felt the extent ofmy own powers of my sagacity. I
could scarcely contain myfeelings of triumph to think
that they are I was opening thedoor little by little, and he
not even to dream of my secretdeeds or thoughts. I fairly
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chuckled at the idea, andperhaps he heard me, for he
moved on the bed suddenly, as ifstartled. You may think that I
drew back. But no. His room wasthis blackest pitch with a thick
darkness, for the shutters wereclose fastened, through fear of
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robbers. And so I knew that hecould not see the opening of the
door, and I kept pushing it onsteadily, steadily. I had my
head in, and was about to openthe lantern when my thumb
slipped upon the fastening, andthe old man sprang up in bed
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crying out who was there. I keptquiet and still and said
nothing. For a whole hour, I didnot move a muscle. And in the
meantime, I did not hear him liedown.
He was still sitting up in hisbed listening, just as I have
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done night after night,hearkening to the death watches
in the wall. Presently, I hearda slight groan, and I know it
was the groan of mortal terror.It was not a groan of pain or
grief. Oh no. It was the lowstifled sound that arises from
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the bottom of a soul whenovercharged with all I knew that
sound well. Many a night, justat midnight, when all the world
slept. It is welled up in my ownbosom deepening, with its
dreadful echo, the terrors thatdistracted me. I say I knew it's
(17:43):
well. I knew what the old manfelt, and pity them. Although I
chuckled at heart, I knew thathe had been lying awake ever
since the first slight noisewhen he had turned in the bed.
His fears had been ever sincegrowing upon him he had been
(18:05):
trying to fancy them causelessbut could not. He had been
saying to himself, it wasnothing but a wind in the
chimney or it was only a mousecrossing the floor, or it was
merely a cricket that was made asingle church. Yes, he had been
trying to comfort himself withthese suppositions but he was
(18:26):
found all in vain. All in vain,because death, in approaching
him, had stocked with his blackshadow before him and enveloped
the victim. And was the mournfulinfluence of the unperceived
shadow that caused him to feel,although he neither saw nor
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heard, to feel the presence ofmy head within the room. When I
had waited a long time verypatiently, without hearing him
lie down, I resolved to open alittle, a very, very little
crevice in the lantern. So Iopened it. You cannot imagine
(19:14):
how stealthily, stealthilyuntil, at length, a simple dim
array, like the threat of aspider shot out from the crevice
and fell upon the vulture, I. Itwas open, wide, wide open, and I
grew furious As I gazed upon it.I saw it with perfect
(19:34):
distinctness all a dull bluewith a hideous veil over it, and
it chilled the very marrow in mybones. But I could see nothing
else of the old man's face orperson, for I had directed the
array as if by instinctprecisely upon the damned spot.
(19:54):
And Have I not told you thatwhat you mistake from madness is
but an over acuteness ofsensors. Now, I say, there came
to my ears a low, dull, quicksound, such as a watchmaker when
enveloped in cotton. I knew thatsound well too, and was the
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beating of the old man's heart.It increased my theory, as the
beating of a drum stimulates thesoldier into courage. But even
yet I refrained and kept still.I scarcely breathe. I held the
lantern motionless. I tried howsteadily I could maintain the
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array upon the eye. Meantime,the hellish tattoo of the heart
increased. It grew quicker andquicker, and louder and louder
with every instant the old man'sterror must have been extreme.
It grew louder and louder,louder every moment do you mark
(21:01):
me? Well, then I have told youthat I am nervous so I am. And
now in the dead hour of nightsamid the dreadful silence of the
old house so strange noise asthis excited me to
uncontrollable terror. Yet forsome minutes longer, I've
refrained and stood still. Butthe beating grew louder and
louder. I thought the heart mustburst. And now the new anxiety
(21:27):
seized me. The sound would beheard by a neighbor. The old
man's our had come with a loudyellow light through open the
lantern and leapt into the room.He shrieked once only once, and
in an instant I dragged him tothe floor and pulled the heavy
bed over him. I then smiled toGailey to find the deed so far
(21:49):
done, but for many minutes, theheartbeat on with a muffled
sound.
This, however, did not vex me.It would not be heard through
the wall. At length, it ceased.The old man was dead. I removed
(22:11):
the bed and examined the corpse.Yes, he was stone stone dead. I
placed my hand upon the heartand held it there for many
minutes. There was no pulsation.He was stone dead, his eye would
trouble me no more. If still youthink me mad, he will think so
(22:32):
no longer. When I described thewise precautions I took for the
concealment of the body. Thenight waned, and I worked
hastily, but in silence. Firstof all, I dismembered the
corpse. I cut off the head andarms and legs. I then took up
three planks from the floor ofthe chamber, and deposited all
(22:52):
between this gatlings. I thenreplaced the board so cleverly,
cunningly, that no human is noteven his could have detected
anything was wrong. There wasnothing to wash out no stain of
any kind, no bloodspot whatever.I had been too weary for that.
(23:14):
The tub had caught all. When Ihad made an end of these labors,
it was four o'clock. Still darkis midnight. As the bell sounded
the hour, there came a knockingat the street door. I went down
to open it with a light heartfor what had I to fear now.
(23:35):
They're entered three men, whointroduced themselves with
perfect suavity, as officers ofthe police. A shriek had been
heard by a neighbor during thenight suspicion of foul play had
been aroused information hadbeen lodged at the police
office, and they the officers,had been deputed to search the
premises. I smile, for what hadI to fear. I bade the gentleman
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welcome. The shriek, I said, wasmy own in a dream. The old man I
mentioned was absent in thecountry. I took my visitors all
over the house, I bade themsearch search well. I led them
at length to his chamber. Ishowed them His treasures,
secure, undisturbed, and theenthusiasm of my confidence I
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brought chairs into the room,and desired them here to rest
from their fatigues, while Imyself in the wild audacity of
my perfect triumph, placed myown seat upon the various spots
beneath which repurposed thecorpse of the victim the
officers were satisfied. My manahad convinced them I was
(24:50):
singularly at ease. They satwhile they sat and while I
answered Surely they chatteredwith familiar matters. But ere
long I felt myself getting paleand wished them gone. My head
ached, and I fancied a ringingin my ears but still, they sat
(25:14):
and chatted. The ringing becamemore distinct, it continued and
became more distinct. I talkedmore freely to get rid of the
feeling, but it continued andgain definiteness until at
length, I found that the noisewas not within my ears and now,
(25:45):
I grew very pale, but I talkedmore fluently, and with a
heightened voice yet the soundincreased. And what could I do?
It was a low dole quick soundmuch such a sound as a watch
makes when enveloped in cotton.I gasped for breath, and yet the
(26:07):
officers heard it not. I talkedmore quickly more vehemently,
but the noise steadilyincreased. I arose I argued
about trifles, and a high keywith violent gesticulations but
the noise steadily increased.Why would they not be gone? I
paced the floor to and fro withheavy strides as the as if
(26:30):
excited by the observations ofthe men, but the noise steadily
increased. Oh, God, what could Ido? I phoned I raved. I swore I
swung
the chair upon which I had beensitting and grated it up on the
floorboards. But the noise aroseabove all, and continually
increased. It grew louder andlouder. And still the min
(26:53):
chatted pleasantly, and smiled.Was it possible they heard not
almighty God? No, no, they heardthey suspected they knew. And
they were making a mockery of myhorror. This I thought in this I
think, but anything would bebetter than this agony. Anything
was more tolerable than thisderision. I could bear those
(27:14):
hypocritical smiles no longer Ifelt that I must scream or die
and now again Hawk louder.Louder. Louder villains I
streaked the symbol no more Iadmit the deed tear up the
planks hair here it's thebeating of this hideous art
(27:56):
our last election for theevening will be Annabel Lee
Annabel Lee was posed lastcompleted poem Annabel Lee It
(28:27):
was many and many a year ago inthe kingdom by the sea that a
maiden there lived um you mayknow by the name of Annabel Lee.
And this maiden, she lived withno other thoughts than to love
and be loved by me. I was achild and she was a child in
(28:54):
this kingdom by the sea. But weloved with the love that was
more than love. I and myAnnabelle the with the love that
the wings sheriff's of Heavencoveted her and me. And this was
the reason that long ago in thiskingdom by the sea, a wind blew
(29:20):
out of the cloud, chilling mybeautiful Annabel Lee, so that
her high born kinsmen came andbought her away from me to shut
her up and separate occur, andthis kingdom by the sea. The
angels not have so happy inheaven went in being her and me.
(29:47):
Yes, that was the reason as allmen know in this kingdom by the
sea, that the wind came out of acloud by night. Chilling and
killing My Annabel Lee but ourlove is stronger by far than the
love of those who are older thanwe have many far wiser than me.
(30:13):
And neither the angels in heavenabove nor the demons down under
the sea can ever discover mysoul from the soul of the
beautiful Annabel Lee. For themoon never beams without
bringing me dreams of thebeautiful Annabel Lee. And the
(30:34):
stars never rise. But I feel thebright eyes of the beautiful
Annabel Lee. And so, all thenight tide I lie down by the
side of my darling, my darling,my life and my bride in the sub
(30:59):
liquor there by the sea in hertomb by the sounding sea. The
(31:24):
Edgar Allan Poe Society ofBaltimore, Maryland has
identified 11 versions ofAnnabel Lee, that were published
between 1849 and 1850. Thebiggest variation is in the
final line. The originalmanuscript reads and her tomb by
the side of the sea thealternate version in her tomb by
the sounding see Well, that'sall for this episode, folks. Our
(31:49):
theme music is into the unknownby od Sprite, more of their
music can be found at oddsprite.com Mitas pod is released
under a Creative CommonsAttribution non commercial no
derivatives license, that meansyou can share it all you like
just don't change it or sell it.And I'd like to say thank you to
all the folks here at WorldTravel beer and Goldsboro, North
Carolina for coming out andhaving a drink and watching me
talk to my computer.
(32:16):
We'll see you next time folks.Have a good one.
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