"Conversation of Eiros and Charmion, The" - читать интересную книгу автора (Poe Edgar Allan)

The Conversation of Eiros and CharmionThe Conversation of Eiros and
Charmion
by Edgar Allan Poe



Editor's Notes by Blake Linton Wilfong
This gem from 1839 is an early example of the "cosmic disaster"
science fiction tale, showing how biblical end-of-the-world prophecy might
be fulfilled through hard scientific fact. It is also highly imaginative:
what better setting for a post-apocalyptic story than the afterlife (which
Poe called "Aidenn")?
Poe set a perfect example for later SF authors by utilizing the best
scientific information available at his time. His statement of the
proportions of and roles played by the elements in our atmosphere is
essentially correct. And, as he explained, comets have little mass
compared to their immense apparent sizes. Of course, cometary nuclei are
now known to be solid, not gaseous as Poe thought, and Earth has passed
through comet tails without incident.
Still, the kinetic energy of the collision of fragments of comet
Shoemaker-Levy 9 with Jupiter in 1992 produced fireballs larger than
Earth. Poe's vision is not far wrong.


"I will bring fire to thee."
Euripides, Andromache
EIROS
Why do you call me Eiros?
CHARMION
So henceforth shall you always be called. You must forget, too, my earthly name,
and call me Charmion.
EIROS
This is indeed no dream!
CHARMION
Dreams are no more; of these mysteries anon. I rejoice to see you, so lifelike!
Your allotted days of stupor have expired; tomorrow, I will teach you the joys
and wonders of your novel existence.
EIROS
Yes, my mind is clear. The wild sickness and terrible darkness are gone, I hear
no longer that mad, rushing, horrible sound, "like the voice of many waters".
Yet, new sensations bewilder me.
CHARMION
Time will remedy this--but I understand, and feel for you. Ten earthly years ago
I underwent what you undergo. You have now suffered all the pain, however, which
you will suffer in Aidenn.
EIROS
Aidenn? Oh, God! Pity me, Charmion! The majesty of all things--of the unknown
now known--of speculative Future merged in certain Present, overburdens me.
CHARMION
Grapple not yet with such thoughts. Seek relief in simple memory. I long to hear