Межзвёздный скиталец
Chapter 15
Tonoaudience-hallwerewesea-cuniesled,but,aswetookit,toafeasting-hall.Thefeastingwasatitsend,andallthethrongwasinamerrymood.Andsuchathrong!Highdignitaries,princesoftheblood,swordednobles,palepriests,weather-tannedofficersofhighcommand,courtladieswithfacesexposed,paintedki-sangordancinggirlswhorestedfromentertaining,andduennas,waitingwomen,eunuchs,lackeys,andpalaceslavesamyriadofthem.
Allfellawayfromus,however,whentheEmperor,withafollowingofintimates,advancedtolookusover.Hewasamerrymonarch,especiallysoforanAsiatic.Notmorethanforty,withaclear,pallidskinthathadneverknownthesun,hewaspaunchedandweak-legged.Yethehadoncebeenafineman.Thenobleforeheadattestedthat.Buttheeyeswereblearedandweak-lidded,thelipstwitchingandtremblingfromthevariousexcessesinwhichheindulged,whichexcesses,asIwastolearn,werelargelydevisedandpanderedbyYunsan,theBuddhistpriest,ofwhommoreanon.
Inoursea-garmentswemarinerswereamotleycrew,andmotleywasthecueofourreception.Exclamationsofwonderatourstrangenessgavewaytolaughter.Theki-sanginvadedus,draggingusabout,makingprisonersofus,twoorthreeofthemtooneofus,leadingusaboutlikegomanydancingboarsandputtingusthroughourantics.
