Transcribe
Translate
Science Fiction Savant, issue 5, Summer 1946
Page 12
More information
digital collection
archival collection guide
transcription tips
[Illegible] Corpse In Boat Discovered by Knights and Burghers CAMELOT, ENGLAND, OCT. 6, 1261 (AP)- Residents of Camelot were startled early this morning by the appearance of a small boat bearing the legend "The Lady of Shalott" around its prow. Investigation disclosed the figure of a woman, clothed in while, lying dead inside. She was identified by local Reapers as a fairy-like being who had inhabited the myth-haunted castle of Shalott nearby. She had apparently boated down to Camelot during the night by way of the river, perishing from unascertained causes during the course of her voyage. The Reapers, who came to view the body late in the afternoon, declared that they had, on occasion, see her standing at a casement in her castle; and others testified that they had, while piling sheaves in the airy uplands, heard her sing. Little was known of the deceased. She had received no visitors, and had libed in strict seclusion. Travellers passing back and forth on the road by her caslte had never seen her, but many believed that they had heard the whirr of a spinning-loom. A Sheriff's posse, exploring the castle of Shalott, verified the travelers by discovering an intact spinning loom by a strangely cracked mirror, and many bolts of marvelously colored cloth. The mistress of the establishment had, to judge by the condition of her estate, been weaving cloth for years, having no contact with the outside world. This theory was supported by the widespread belief that she had labored under the spell of a curse that had, as prophesied, destroyed her when she ventured to gaze longingly on the vistas outside. The afternoon previous to the discovery of the body, Sir Lancelot had ridden by the Shalott castle in full sunlight, but was unable to recall seeing any motion inside. No one knew anything of the Lady's background or origin, but it was universally believed that she was of noble blood. A few witnesses stated that they had heard her singing a weird melody the night before she was discovered dead. This must have been during her journey down the river. The Coroner was able to state the cause of her death, but placed the time of her demise as shortly before dawn. Pending an autopsy, she is currently interred in the Camelot Morgue. King Authur and other high officials of the city had nothing to offer in the way of explanation, but all who commented paid tribute to the Lady's rare beauty. Pressed for a statement by reporters, Sir Lancelot spoke briefly of her lovely face, and expressed a hope that Go would be merciful to her. Other knights questioned echoed his sentiments. truth this planet will eventually reach a condition when living things can no longer exist upon at and at long last the universe will attain that final stage of equilibrium when nothing more can happen. Aeons and aeons before this man will have disappeared. Is it possible to suppose that it will matter then that he ever existed? He will have been a chapter in the history of the universe as pointless as the chapter in which is written the life stories of the strange monsters that inhabited the primaeval earth." -- W. Somerset Maughan; The Summing Up
Saving...
prev
next
[Illegible] Corpse In Boat Discovered by Knights and Burghers CAMELOT, ENGLAND, OCT. 6, 1261 (AP)- Residents of Camelot were startled early this morning by the appearance of a small boat bearing the legend "The Lady of Shalott" around its prow. Investigation disclosed the figure of a woman, clothed in while, lying dead inside. She was identified by local Reapers as a fairy-like being who had inhabited the myth-haunted castle of Shalott nearby. She had apparently boated down to Camelot during the night by way of the river, perishing from unascertained causes during the course of her voyage. The Reapers, who came to view the body late in the afternoon, declared that they had, on occasion, see her standing at a casement in her castle; and others testified that they had, while piling sheaves in the airy uplands, heard her sing. Little was known of the deceased. She had received no visitors, and had libed in strict seclusion. Travellers passing back and forth on the road by her caslte had never seen her, but many believed that they had heard the whirr of a spinning-loom. A Sheriff's posse, exploring the castle of Shalott, verified the travelers by discovering an intact spinning loom by a strangely cracked mirror, and many bolts of marvelously colored cloth. The mistress of the establishment had, to judge by the condition of her estate, been weaving cloth for years, having no contact with the outside world. This theory was supported by the widespread belief that she had labored under the spell of a curse that had, as prophesied, destroyed her when she ventured to gaze longingly on the vistas outside. The afternoon previous to the discovery of the body, Sir Lancelot had ridden by the Shalott castle in full sunlight, but was unable to recall seeing any motion inside. No one knew anything of the Lady's background or origin, but it was universally believed that she was of noble blood. A few witnesses stated that they had heard her singing a weird melody the night before she was discovered dead. This must have been during her journey down the river. The Coroner was able to state the cause of her death, but placed the time of her demise as shortly before dawn. Pending an autopsy, she is currently interred in the Camelot Morgue. King Authur and other high officials of the city had nothing to offer in the way of explanation, but all who commented paid tribute to the Lady's rare beauty. Pressed for a statement by reporters, Sir Lancelot spoke briefly of her lovely face, and expressed a hope that Go would be merciful to her. Other knights questioned echoed his sentiments. truth this planet will eventually reach a condition when living things can no longer exist upon at and at long last the universe will attain that final stage of equilibrium when nothing more can happen. Aeons and aeons before this man will have disappeared. Is it possible to suppose that it will matter then that he ever existed? He will have been a chapter in the history of the universe as pointless as the chapter in which is written the life stories of the strange monsters that inhabited the primaeval earth." -- W. Somerset Maughan; The Summing Up
Hevelin Fanzines
sidebar
