Though Poe was referring to an ancient connection between worms and death, he may have been inspired by "The Proud Ladye", a poem by Spencer Wallis Cone which was reviewed in an 1840 issue of Burton's Gentleman's Magazine.
Deși Poe se referea la o legătură veche între viermi și moarte, se poate ca el să se fi inspirat de „The Proud Ladye”, un poem al lui Spencer Wallis Cone, care a fost retipărit într-un număr din 1840 al revistei Burton's Gentleman's Magazine.