Белый корабль

           ItwasagainstthefullmoononenightintheimmemorialyearofTharpthatIsawoutlinedthebeckoningformofthecelestialbird,andfeltthefirststirringsofunrest. ThenIspokewiththebeardedman,andtoldhimofmynewyearningstodepartforremoteCathuria,whichnomanhathseen,butwhichallbelievetoliebeyondthebasaltpillarsoftheWest. ItistheLandofHope,andinitshinetheperfectidealsofallthatweknowelsewhere; oratleastsomenrelate. Butthebeardedmansaidtome,"BewareofthoseperilousseaswhereinmensayCathurialies. InSona–Nylthereisnopainordeath,butwhocantellwhatliesbeyondthebasaltpillarsoftheWest?" NathelessatthenextfullmoonIboardedtheWhiteShip,andwiththereluctantbeardedmanleftthehappyharborforuntraveledseas. 

           Andthebirdofheavenflewbefore,andledustowardthebasaltpillarsoftheWest,butthistimetheoarsmensangnosoftsongsunderthefullmoon. InmymindIwouldoftenpicturetheunknownLandofCathuriawithitssplendidgrovesandpalaces,andwouldwonderwhatnewdelightsthereawaitedme. "Cathuria,"Iwouldsaytomyself,"istheabodeofgodsandthelandofunnumberedcitiesofgold. Itsforestsareofaloeandsandalwood,evenasthefragrantgrovesofCamorin,andamongthetreesfluttergaybirdssweetwithsong.