the raven(乌鸦)-第5部分
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the recess。 It was not the cry of a drunken man。 There was then a
long and obstinate silence。 I laid the second tier； and the third； and the
fourth； and then I heard the furious vibrations of the chain。 The noise
lasted for several minutes； during which； that I might hearken to it with the
more satisfaction； I ceased my labours and sat down upon the bones。
When at last the clanking subsided； I resumed the trowel； and finished
without interruption the fifth； the sixth； and the seventh tier。 The wall
was now nearly upon a level with my breast。 I again paused； and holding
the flambeaux over the mason…work； threw a few feeble rays upon the
figure within。
A succession of loud and shrill screams； bursting suddenly from the
throat of the chained form； seemed to thrust me violently back。 For a
brief moment I hesitated I trembled。 Unsheathing my rapier； I began to
grope with it about the recess； but the thought of an instant reassured me。
I placed my hand upon the solid fabric of the catacombs； and felt satisfied。
I reapproached the wall； I replied to the yells of him who clamoured。 I
re…echoed I aided I surpassed them in volume and in strength。 I did
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THE RAVENTHE RAVEN
THE RAVENTHE RAVEN
this； and the clamourer grew still。
It was now midnight； and my task was drawing to a close。 I had
completed the eighth； the ninth； and the tenth tier。 I had finished a
portion of the last and the eleventh； there remained but a single stone to be
fitted and plastered in。 I struggled with its weight； I placed it partially in
its destined position。 But now there came from out the niche a low laugh
that erected the hairs upon my head。 It was succeeded by a sad voice；
which I had difficulty in recognizing as that of the noble Fortunato。 The
voice said
〃Ha！ ha！ ha！he！ he！ he！a very good joke indeedan excellent jest。
We shall have many a rich laugh about it at the palazzohe！ he！ he！over
our winehe！ he！ he！〃
〃The Amontillado！〃 I said。
〃He！ he！ he！he！ he！ he！yes； the Amontillado。 But is it not getting
late？ Will not they be awaiting us at the palazzo； the Lady Fortunato and
the rest？ Let us be gone。〃
〃Yes；〃 I said； 〃let us be gone。〃
〃 For the love of God； Montresor！〃
〃Yes；〃 I said； 〃for the love of God！〃
But to these words I hearkened in vain for a reply。 I grew impatient。 I
called aloud
〃Fortunato！〃
No answer。 I called again
〃Fortunato〃
No answer still。 I thrust a torch through the remaining aperture and
let it fall within。 There came forth in reply only a jingling of the bells。
My heart grew sick on account of the dampness of the catacombs。 I
hastened to make an end of my labour。 I forced the last stone into its
position； I plastered it up。 Against the new masonry I re…erected the old
rampart of bones。 For the half of a century no mortal has disturbed them。
In pace requiescat！
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