Белый корабль

           Thendidthebeardedmansaytome,withtearsonhischeek, "WehaverejectedthebeautifulLandofSona–Nyl,whichwemayneverbeholdagain. Thegodsaregreaterthanmen,andtheyhaveconquered." AndIclosedmyeyesbeforethecrashthatIknewwouldcome,shuttingoutthesightofthecelestialbirdwhichflappeditsmockingbluewingsoverthebrinkofthetorrent. 

           Outofthatcrashcamedarkness,andIheardtheshriekingofmenandofthingswhichwerenotmen. FromtheEasttempestuouswindsarose,andchilledmeasIcrouchedontheslabofdampstonewhichhadrisenbeneathmyfeet. ThenasIheardanothercrashIopenedmyeyesandbeheldmyselfupontheplatformofthatlighthousewhenceIhadsailedsomanyaeonsago. Inthedarknessbelowthereloomedthevastblurredoutlinesofavesselbreakinguponthecruelrocks,andasIglancedoutoverthewasteIsawthatthelighthadfailedforthefirsttimesincemygrandfatherhadassumeditscare. 

           Andinthelaterwatchesofthenight,whenIwentwithinthetower,IsawonthewallacalendarwhichstillremainedaswhenIhadleftitatthehourIsailedaway. WiththedawnIdescendedthetowerandlookedforwreckageupontherocks,butwhatIfoundwasonlythis:astrangedeadbirdwhosehuewasasoftheazuresky,andasingleshatteredspar,ofawhitenessgreaterthanthatofthewave-tipsorofthemountainsnow. 

           Andthereaftertheoceantoldmeitssecretsnomore; andthoughmanytimessincehasthemoonshonefullandhighintheheavens,theWhiteShipfromtheSouthcameneveragain.