&nbsp;-------<br>|&nbsp;bookZ.ru collection<br>|-------<br>|&nbsp;&nbsp;Говард&nbsp;Филлипс&nbsp;Лавкрафт<br>|<br>|&nbsp;&nbsp;The Messenger<br>&nbsp;-------<br><br><h3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Говард Филлипс Лавкрафт<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Messenger<br></h3><br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The thing, he said, would come in the night at three<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;From the old churchyard on the hill below;<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But crouching by an oak fire's wholesome glow,<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I tried to tell myself it could not be.<br>
<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Surely, I mused, it was pleasantry<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Devised by one who did not truly know<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Elder Sign, bequeathed from long ago,<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That sets the fumbling forms of darkness free.<br>
<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He had not meant it – no – but still I lit<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Another lamp as starry Leo climbed<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Out of the Seekonk, and a steeple chimed<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Three – and the firelight faded, bit by bit.<br>
<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then at the door that cautious rattling came -<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And the mad truth devoured me like a flame!<br>
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