Гимн
Part One
Andwhenwelookthuswithoutwords,webothknowotherthingsalso,strangethingsforwhichtherearenowords,andthesethingsfrightenus.
Soonthatdayofthespringbeforelast,Union5-3992werestrickenwithconvulsionsontheedgeoftheCity,neartheCityTheatre.WeleftthemtolieintheshadeoftheTheatretentandwewentwithInternational4-8818tofinishourwork.WecametogethertothegreatravinebehindtheTheatre.Itisemptysavefortreesandweeds.Beyondtheravinethereisaplain,andbeyondtheplainthereliestheUnchartedForest,aboutwhichmenmustnotthink.
WeweregatheringthepapersandtheragswhichthewindhadblownfromtheTheatre,whenwesawanironbaramongtheweeds.Itwasoldandrustedbymanyrains.Wepulledwithallourstrength,butwecouldnotmoveit.SowecalledInternational4-8818,andtogetherwescrapedtheeartharoundthebar.Ofasuddentheearthfellinbeforeus,andwesawanoldirongrilloverablackhole.
International4-8818steppedback.Butwepulledatthegrillanditgaveway.Andthenwesawironringsasstepsleadingdownashaftintoadarknesswithoutbottom.
“Weshallgodown,”wesaidtoInternational4-8818.
“Itisforbidden,”theyanswered.
Wesaid:“TheCouncildoesnotknowofthishole,soitcannotbeforbidden.”
Andtheyanswered:“SincetheCouncildoesnotknowofthishole,therecanbenolawpermittingtoenterit.Andeverythingwhichisnotpermittedbylawisforbidden.”
Butwesaid:“Weshallgo,nonetheless.”
Theywerefrightened,buttheystoodbyandwatchedusgo.
