A story about the torments endured by a prisoner of the Spanish Inquisition
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| Harry Clarke Illustration |
The story takes place during the Spanish Inquisition. At the beginning of the story an unnamed narrator is brought to trial before various sinister judges. Before
him are seven tall white candles on a table, and, as they melt, his
hopes of survival also diminish. He is condemned to death and finds
himself in a pitch black compartment. At first the prisoner thinks that
he is locked in a tomb, but he discovers that he is in a cell. The narrator discovers that the prison is slightly illuminated and that he is bound to a wooden board by ropes. He looks up in horror to see a painted picture of Father Time on the ceiling; hanging from the figure is a gigantic pendulum
with a crescent razor measuring swinging
slowly back and forth. The pendulum is sliding downwards and
will eventually kill him. As the pendulum reaches a point inches above his heart, the prisoner
breaks free of the ropes and watches as the pendulum is drawn back to
the ceiling.
Printing History
Written by Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849)
The Gift: A Christmas and New Year's Present for 1843
1842
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