Delphi Complete Works of H. P. Lovecraft (Illustrated) Read online

  The Complete Works of

  H. P. LOVECRAFT

  (1890-1937)

  Contents

  H. P. Lovecraft: Brief Introduction

  The Short Stories

  LIST OF SHORT STORIES IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER

  LIST OF SHORT STORIES IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

  The Poetry

  LIST OF POEMS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER

  LIST OF POEMS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

  Selected Essays

  LIST OF ESSAYS

  The Memoirs

  LIST OF AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL WORKS

  © Delphi Classics 2013

  Version 2

  The Complete Works of

  H. P. LOVECRAFT

  By Delphi Classics, 2013

  Other Weird and Supernatural Fiction authors

  by Delphi Classics

  www.delphiclassics.com

  H. P. Lovecraft: Brief Introduction

  Although at the time of his death H. P. Lovecraft was relatively unknown as a writer, his imaginative and original horror, fantasy and science fiction stories have now earned him the prestige of being one of America’s most popular writers. Having established the Cthulhu Mythos story cycle and his Necronomicon world of forbidden lore, Lovecraft is celebrated for having developed an aesthetic and philosophical principle of ‘cosmicism’, a belief that life is incomprehensible to human minds and so the universe is fundamentally opposed to their interest. It was with this innovative theory that he used many of his short stories to create unusual worlds and horrific encounters. Many of his tales convey a cold indifference to human concerns and affairs, creating an atmosphere unprecedented in literature until this time.

  With few of his readers even knowing his name during his literary career, Lovecraft’s stories appeared chiefly in prominent pulp magazines such as Weird Tales. Nevertheless, he corresponded with other contemporary writers, such as Clark Ashton Smith and August Derleth, eventually forming a literary group that is now referred to as the “Lovecraft Circle”. All members of the group were directly inspired by Lovecraft, who actively encouraged other writers to use his ideas and share his work. The author’s prolific letters reveal a learned and enthusiastic knowledge of the classics, as well as a heightened understanding of critical study. After Lovecraft’s death, the Lovecraft Circle continued their work, expanding his vision and the mythological worlds he had established in his short stories.

  Developed by Lovecraft, the Cthulhu Mythos is a fictive universe, whose name was coined by August Derleth, after the name of the Cthulhu creature from Lovecraft’s famous short story The Call of Cthulhu. Written in 1926 and first published two years later in Weird Tales, this story is widely regarded as being one of Lovecraft’s greatest works. Reportedly, Lovecraft was inspired in the writing of the tale by Lord Alfred Tennyson’s 1830 sonnet The Kraken, due to its reference of a huge aquatic creature sleeping for an eternity at the bottom of the ocean.

  The short story is presented in form as a manuscript discovered among the papers of the late Francis Wayland Thurston, of Boston. In the narrative, Thurston recounts his discovery of notes left behind by his granduncle, George Gammell Angell, a prominent Professor of Semitic languages at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, who died suddenly in the winter of 1926 amid mysterious circumstances.

  In many of his subsequent short stories, Lovecraft expanded on his theme of absolute irrelevance of mankind in the face of the cosmic horrors existing in the universe, with the author constantly referring to the “Great Old Ones”, a pantheon of ancient and omnipotent deities from space, who had once ruled the Earth and since fallen into a deathlike sleep. Following Lovecraft’s untimely death to cancer in 1936, August Derleth continued publishing Lovecraft’s stories, whilst attempting to categorise and expand the Mythos. Since then, many writers have added to the Lovecraftian milieu, shaping the Cthulhu Mythos in what has become an ongoing expansion of the fictional universe.

  As Lovecraft’s reputation has blossomed over the decades, he is now regarded as one of the most influential horror writers of the 20th century, drawing the admiration of writers such as Stephen King, Félix Guattari, Michel Houellebecq and Jorge Luis Borges. In this edition, Lovecraft’s complete fictional works, including the tales he collaborated on with other writers, are presented in the chronological order they were written, allowing readers to chart the gradual development of Lovecraft’s universe and the originality of his writing.

  Please note: due to copyright restrictions, the short stories that Lovecraft wrote with C. M. Eddy, Jr. cannot appear in this collection.

  Lovecraft as a young man, 1915

  The 1928 magazine that contained the first appearance of ‘The Call of Cthulhu’

  August Derleth (1909-1971) was the first publisher of H. P. Lovecraft’s works, encouraging the mass development of the Cthulhu Mythos.

  The Short Stories

  Angell Street, Providence, Rhode Island — the site of Lovecraft’s birthplace. The house at 454 Angell Street was demolished in the 1960s and is now the location of a coffee shop.

  The house in contemporary times

  Lovecraft as a baby, c. 1892

  Lovecraft with his parents Sarah and Winfield Lovecraft

  The author aged nine

  The Little Glass Bottle

  “Heave to, there’s something floating to the leeward” the speaker was a short stockily built man whose name was William Jones. he was the captain of a small cat boat in which he & a party of men were sailing at the time the story opens.

  “Aye aye sir” answered John Towers & the boat was brought to a stand still Captain Jones reached out his hand for the object which he now discerned to be a glass bottle “Nothing but a rum flask that the men on a passing boat threw over” he said but from an impulse of curiosity he reached out for it. it was a rum flask & he was about to throw it away when he noticed a piece of paper in it. He pulled it out & on it read the following

  Jan 1 1864

  I am John Jones who writes this letter my ship is fast sinking with a treasure on board I am where it is marked * on the enclosed chart

  Captain Jones turned the sheet over & the other side was a chart

  on the edge were written these words

  dotted lines represent course we took

  “Towers” Said Capt. Jones excitedly “read this” Towers did as he was directed “I think it would pay to go” said Capt. Jones “do you”? “Just as you say” replied Towers. “We’ll charter a schooner this very day” said the exited captain “All right” said Towers so they hired a boat and started off govnd by the dotted lines of they chart in 4 weeks the reached the place where directed & the divers went down and came up with an iron bottle they found in it the following lines scribbled on a piece of brown paper

  Dec 3 1880

  Dear Searcher excuse me for the practical joke I have played on you but it serves you right to find nothing for your foolish act —

  “Well it does” said Capt Jones “go on”

  However I will defray your expenses to & from the place you found your bottle I think it will be $25.0.00 so that amount you will find in an Iron box I know where you found the bottle because I put this bottle here & the iron box & then found a good place to put the second bottle hoping the enclosed money will defray your expenses some I close — Anonymous”

  “I’d like to kick his head off” said Capt Jones “Here diver go & get the $25.0.00 in a minute the diver came up bearing an iron box inside it was found $25.0.00 It defrayed their expenses but I hardly think that they will ever go to a mysterious place as directed by a mysterious bottle.

  Th
e Secret Cave

  OR JOHN LEES ADVENTURE

  “Now be good children” Said Mrs. Lee “While I am away & dont get into mischief”. Mr. & Mrs. Lee were going off for the day & To leave The Two children John 10 yrs old & Alice 2 yrs old “Yes” replied John

  As Soon as The Elder Lees were away the younger Lees went down cellar & began to rummage among the rubbish little alice leaned against the wall watching John. As John was making a boat of barrel staves the Little girl gave a piercing cry as the bricks behind her crumbled away he rushed up to her & Lifted her out screaming loudly as soon as her screams subsided she said “the wall went away” John went up & saw that there was a passage he said to the little girl “lets come & see what this is” “Yes” she said the entered the place they could stand up it the passage was farther than they could see they John went back upstairs & went to the kitchen drawer & got 2 candles & some matches & then they went back to the cellar passage. the two once more entered there was plastering on the walls ceiling & floor nothing was visible but a box this was for a seat nevertheless they examined it & found it to contain nothing the walked on farther & pretty soon the plastering left off & they were in a cave Little alice was frightened at first but at her brothers assurance that it was “all right” she allayed her fears. soon they came to a small box which John took up & carried within pretty soon they came on a boat in it were two oars he dragged it with difficulty along with him soon they found the passage came to an abrupt stop he pulled the obstacle away & to his dismay water rushed in in torrents John was an expert swimmer & long breathede he had Just taken a breath so he tried to rise but with the box & his sister he found it quite impossible then he caught sight of the boat rising he grasped it. . . .

  The next he knew he was on the surface clinging tightly to the body of his sister & the mysterious box he could not imagine how the water got in but a new peril menaced them if the water continued rising it would rise to the top suddenly a thought presented itself. he could shut off the water he speedily did this & lifting the now lifeless body of his sister into the boat he himself climed in & sailed down the passage it was gruesome & uncanny absolutely dark his candle being put out by the flood & a dead body lying near he did not gaze about him but rowed for his life when he did look up he was floating in his own cellar he quickly rushed up stairs with the body, to find his parents had come home He told them the story

  * * * * * *

  The funeral of alice occupied so much time that John quite forgot about the box — but when they did open it they found it to be a solid gold chunk worth about $10,000 enough to pay for any thing but the death of his sister.

  THE END

  The Mystery of the Grave-Yard

  OR “A DEAD MAN’S REVENGE”

  A Detective Story

  Chapter I. The Burns’s Tomb.

  It was noon in the Little village of Mainville, and a sorrowful group of people were standing around the Burns’s Tomb. Joseph Burns was dead. (when dying, he had given the following strange orders:— “Before you put my body in the tomb, drop this ball onto the floor, at a spot marked “A”.” he then handed a small golden ball to the rector.) The people greatly regretted his death. After The funeral services were finished, Mr Dobson (the rector) said, “My friends, I will now gratify the last wishes of the deceased. So saying, he descended into the tomb. (to lay the ball on the spot marked “A”) Soon the funeral party Began to be impatient, and after a time Mr. Cha’s. Greene (the Lawyer) descended to make a search. Soon he came up with a frightened face, and said, “Mr Dobson is not there”!

  Chapter II. Mysterious Mr. Bell.

  It was 3.10 o’clock in ye afternoone whenne The door bell of the Dobson mansion rang loudly, and the servant on going to the door, found an elderly man, with black hair, and side whiskers. He asked to see Miss Dobson. Upon arriving in her presence he said, “Miss Dobson, I know where your father is, and for £10,000 I will restore him. My name is Mr. Bell.” “Mr. Bell,” said Miss Dobson, “will you excuse me from the room a moment?” “Certainly”. replied Mr Bell. In a short time she returned, and said, “Mr. Bell, I understand you. You have abducted my father, and hold him for a ransom”

  Chapter III. At The Police Station.

  It was 3.20 o’clock in the afternoon when the telephone bell at the North End Police Station rang furiously, and Gibson, (the telephone Man) Inquired what was the matter,

  “Have found out about fathers dissapearance”! a womans voice said. “Im Miss Dobson, and father has been abducted, “Send King John”! King John was a famous western detective. Just then a man rushed in, and shouted, “Oh! Terrors! Come To the Graveyard!”

  Chapter IV. The West window.

  Now let us return to the Dobson Mansion. Mr Bell was rather taken aback by Miss Dobson’s plain speaking, but when he recovered his speech he said, “Don’t put it quite so plain, Miss Dobson, for I—” He was interrupted by the entrance of King John, who with a brace of revolvers in his hands, barred all egress by the doorway. But quicker than thought Bell sprang to a west window, — and jumped.

  Chapter V. The Secret of The grave.

  Now let us return to the station house. After the exited visitor had calmed somewhat, he could tell his story straighter. He had seen three men in the graveyard shouting “Bell! Bell! where are you old man!?” and acting very suspiciously. He then followed them, and they entered The Burns’s Tomb! He then followed them in and they touched a spring at a point marked “A” and then Dissapeared”. “I wish king John were here”, Said Gibson, “What’s your name,”? “John Spratt”. replied the visitor.

  Chapter VI. The chase for Bell.

  Now let us return To the Dobson Mansion again: — King John was utterly confounded at the Sudden movement of Bell, but when he recovered from his surprise, his first thought was of chase. Accordingly, he started in pursuit of the abductor. He tracked him down to the R. R. Station and found to his dismay that he had taken the train for Kent, a large city toward the south, and between which and Mainville there existed no telegraph or telephone. The train had Just Started!

  Chapter VII. The Negro Hackman.

  The Kent train started at 10.35, and about 10.36 an exited, dusty, and tired man1 rushed into the Mainville hack. office and said to a negro hackman who was standing by the door— “If you can take me to Kent in 15 minutes I will give you a dollar”. “I doan’ see how I’m ter git there”, said the negro “I hab’n’t got a decent pair of hosses an’ I hab—” “Two Dollars”! Shouted The Traveller, “all right” said the Hackman.

  1King John.

  Chapter VIII. Bells Surprise.

  It was 11 o’clock at Kent, all of the stores were closed but one, a dingy, dirty, little shop, down at the west end. It lay between Kent Harbour, & the Kent & Mainville R.R. In the Front room a shabbily dressed person of doubtful age was conversing with a middle aged woman with gray haire, “I have agreed to do the job, Lindy,” he said, “Bell will arrive at 11.30 and the carraige is ready to take him down to the wharf, where a ship for Africa sails to-nighte”.

  “But If King John were to come?” queried “Lindy”

  “Then we’d get nabbed, an’ Bell would be hung” Replied The man.

  Just then a rap sounded at the door “Are you Bell”? inquired Lindy “Yes” was the response, “And I caught the 10.35 and King John got Left, so we are all right”. At 11.40 the party reached The Landing, and saw a ship Loom up in the darkness. “The Kehdive” “of Africa” was painted on the hull, and Just as they were to step on board, a man stepped forward in the darkness and said “John Bell, I arrest you in the Queen’s name”!

  It was King John.

  Chapter IX. The Trial.

  The daye of The Trial had arrived, and a crowd of people had gathered around the Little grove, (which served for a court house in summer) To hear the trial of John Bell on the charge of kid-napping. “Mr. Bell,” said the judge “what is the secret of the Burns’s tomb”

  “I well tell you this much”
said Bell, “If you go into the tomb and touch a certain spot marked “A” you will find out”

  “Now where is Mr Dobson”? queried the judge, “Here”! said a voice behind them, and The figure of Mr Dobson HIMSELF loomed up in the doorway.

  “How did you get here”!&c was chorused. “’Tis a long story,” said Dobson.

  Chapter X. Dobson’s Story.

  “When I went down into the tomb,” Said Dobson, “Everything was darkness, I could see nothing. but Finally I discerned the letter “A” printed in white on the onyx floor, I dropped the ball on the Letter, and immediately a trap-door opened and a man sprang up. It was this man, here,” (he said (pointing at Bell, who stood Trembling on the prisoner’s docke) “and he pulled me down into a brilliantly lighted, and palatial apartment where I have Lived until to-day. One day a young man rushed in and exclaimed “The secret Is revealed!” and was gone. He did not see me. Once Bell left his key behind, and I took the impression in wax, and the next day was spent in filing keys to fit the Lock. The next day my key fitted. and the next day (which is to-day) I escaped.”

  Chapter XI. The Mystery unveiled.