The opening epigraph is quoted from an essay by Joseph Glanvill called "Against Confidence in Philosophy and Matters of Speculation" (1676), though Poe altered the wording significantly.
Epigraful de la început este citat din eseul „Against Confidence in Philosophy and Matters of Speculation” (1676)al lui Joseph Glanvill, deși Poe a modificat textul în mod semnificativ.