During the whole of a dull, dark, and soundless day

In the autumn of that year

When the clouds hung oppressively low in heaven

I had been passing alone on the horse’back

Through the singularly, dreary tract of country

And at length found myself

as the shades of the evening drew on

Within view of the melancholy House of Usher

I know not how it was

But with the first glimpse of the building

A sense of insufferable gloom pervaded my spirit

I looked upon some blank scape for domain

Upon the bleak walls, upon the white trunks of decayed trees

With the utter depression souls

There was an iceness

A sinking

A sickening of the heart