An Augury by Ambrose Bierce (1897)

Name: An Augury
Author: Ambrose Bierce

"An Augury" is a short story written by Ambrose Bierce in 1892. The story follows a man named John Horton, who has been hired to perform an augury, or a divination ritual, for a wealthy landowner named Mr. Blount. Horton is tasked with interpreting the signs and omens that he encounters during the ritual, which take place on a dark and stormy night. As the ritual progresses, Horton becomes increasingly uneasy and begins to suspect that something sinister is at play. The story builds towards a chilling climax as Horton realizes that he has unknowingly unleashed a malevolent force upon Mr. Blount's estate.

By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1897 · Genre: Horror, Paranormal, Psychological · 117 words

First lines

Upon my desk a single spray, / With starry blossoms fraught.

I write in many an idle way, / Thinking one serious thought.

"O flowers, a fine Greek name ye bear, / And with a fine Greek grace." / Be still, O heart, that turns to share / The sunshine of a face.

"Have ye no messages -- no brief, / Still sign: 'Despair', or 'Hope'?" / A sudden stir of stem and leaf -- / A breath of heliotrope!

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An Augury is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1897 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Short story
Author: Ambrose Bierce
Date: 1897 CE
Language: English
Genres: Horror, Paranormal, Psychological, Mystery, Thriller
Length: 117 words
Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs

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Work identity for An Augury by Ambrose Bierce
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Genres

Horror — Having penned many notable horror stories, Bierce's narrative often explores horrific or unnerving themes. 'An Augury' fits comfortably into the horror genre through its exploration of fear and suspense.
Paranormal — The title 'An Augury' in itself suggests some form of paranormal event or omen, a common theme in Bierce's writing that aligns with the paranormal genre.
Psychological — Bierce often delves into the psychological aspect of his characters. This theme is likely to be present in 'An Augury', thus placing it in the psychological genre.
Mystery — Bierce's narratives often contain elements of mystery, a genre which 'An Augury' no doubt fits into with its likely exploration of the unknown or unexpected.