Белый корабль

           Dayafterdayandnightafternightdidwesail,andwhenthemoonwasfullwewouldlistentosoftsongsoftheoarsmen,sweetasonthatdistantnightwhenwesailedawayfrommyfarnativeland. AnditwasbymoonlightthatweanchoredatlastintheharborofSona–Nyl,whichisguardedbytwinheadlandsofcrystalthatrisefromtheseaandmeetinaresplendentarch. ThisistheLandofFancy,andwewalkedtotheverdantshoreuponagoldenbridgeofmoonbeams. 

           IntheLandofSona–Nylthereisneithertimenorspace,neithersufferingnordeath;andthereIdweltformanyaeons. Greenarethegrovesandpastures,brightandfragranttheflowers,blueandmusicalthestreams,clearandcoolthefountains,andstatelyandgorgeousthetemples,castles,andcitiesofSona–Nyl. Ofthatlandthereisnobound,forbeyondeachvistaofbeautyrisesanothermorebeautiful. Overthecountrysideandamidstthesplendorofcitiescanmoveatwillthehappyfolk,ofwhomallaregiftedwithunmarredgraceandunalloyedhappiness. FortheaeonsthatIdweltthereIwanderedblissfullythroughgardenswherequaintpagodaspeepfrompleasingclumpsofbushes,andwherethewhitewalksareborderedwithdelicateblossoms. IclimbedgentlehillsfromwhosesummitsIcouldseeentrancingpanoramasofloveliness,withsteepledtownsnestlinginverdantvalleys,andwiththegoldendomesofgiganticcitiesglitteringontheinfinitelydistanthorizon. AndIviewedbymoonlightthesparklingsea,thecrystalheadlands,andtheplacidharborwhereinlayanchoredtheWhiteShip.