Межзвёздный скиталец

           Mybeard,evidentlyonceblond,butnowadirt-stainedandstreakybrown,sweptmymidriffinatangledmass.Mylonghair,similarlystainedandtangled,wasallaboutmyshoulders,whilewispsofitcontinuallystrayedinthewayofmyvisionsothatsometimesIwascompelledtobrushitasidewithmyhands.Forthemostpart,however,Icontentedmyselfwithpeeringthroughitlikeawildanimalfromathicket.

           Justatthetunnel-likemouthofmydimcavethedayreareditselfinawallofblindingsunshine.AfteratimeIcrawledtotheentrance,and,forthesakeofgreaterdiscomfort,laydownintheburningsunshineonanarrowledgeofrock.Itpositivelybakedme,thatterriblesun,andthemoreithurtmethemoreIdelightedinit,orinmyselfrather,inthatIwasthusthemasterofmyfleshandsuperiortoitsclaimsandremonstrances.WhenIfoundundermeaparticularlysharp,butnottoosharp,rock-projection,Igroundmybodyuponthepointofit,rowelledmyfleshinaveryecstasyofmasteryandofpurification.

           Itwasastagnantdayofheat.NotabreathofairmovedovertherivervalleyonwhichIsometimesgazed.Hundredsoffeetbeneathmethewideriverransluggishly.Thefarthershorewasflatandsandyandstretchedawaytothehorizon.Abovethewaterwerescatteredclumpsofpalm-trees.

           Onmyside,eatenintoacurvebytheriver,werelofty,crumblingcliffs.