Ветер в ивах

           Andyoumayhaveheardtoo,ofSigurd,KingofNorway,andhowhesailedthitherwithsixtyships,andhowheandhismenrodeupthroughstreetsallcanopiedintheirhonourwithpurpleandgold;andhowtheEmperorandEmpresscamedownandbanquetedwithhimonboardhisship.WhenSigurdreturnedhome,manyofhisNorthmenremainedbehindandenteredtheEmperor’sbody-guard,andmyancestor,aNorwegianborn,stayedbehindtoo,withtheshipsthatSigurdgavetheEmperor.Seafarerswehaveeverbeen,andnowonder;asforme,thecityofmybirthisnomoremyhomethananypleasantportbetweenthereandtheLondonRiver.Iknowthemall,andtheyknowme.Setmedownonanyoftheirquaysorforeshores,andIamhomeagain."

           "Isupposeyougogreatvoyages,"saidtheWaterRatwithgrowinginterest."Monthsandmonthsoutofsightofland,andprovisionsrunningshort,andallowancedastowater,andyourmindcommuningwiththemightyocean,andallthatsortofthing?"

           "Bynomeans,"saidtheSeaRatfrankly."Suchalifeasyoudescribewouldnotsuitmeatall.I’minthecoastingtrade,andrarelyoutofsightofland.It’sthejollytimesonshorethatappealtome,asmuchasanyseafaring.O,thosesouthernseaports!Thesmellofthem,theriding-lightsatnight,theglamour!"

           "Well,perhapsyouhavechosenthebetterway,"saidtheWaterRat,butratherdoubtfully.