Межзвёздный скиталец
Chapter 21
Ihavediedoffrostandfamine,fightandflood.Ihavepickedberriesonthebleakbackboneoftheworld,andIhavedugrootstoeatfromthefat-soiledfensandmeadows.Ihavescratchedthereindeer’ssemblanceandthesemblanceofthehairymammothonivorytusksgottenofthechaseandontherockwallsofcaveshelterswhenthewinterstormsmoanedoutside.Ihavecrackedmarrow-bonesonthesitesofkinglycitiesthathadperishedcenturiesbeforemytimeorthatweredestinedtobebuildedcenturiesaftermypassing.AndIhaveleftthebonesofmytransientcarcassesinpondbottoms,andglacialgravels,andasphaltumlakes.
Ihavelivedthroughtheagesknownto-dayamongthescientistsasthePaleolithic,theNeolithic,andtheBronze.IrememberwhenwithourdomesticatedwolvesweherdedourreindeertopastureonthenorthshoreoftheMediterraneanwherenowareFranceandItalyandSpain.Thiswasbeforetheice-sheetmeltedbackwardtowardthepole.ManyprocessionsoftheequinoxeshaveIlivedthroughanddiedin,myreader...onlythatIrememberandthatyoudonot.
IhavebeenaSonofthePlough,aSonoftheFish,aSonoftheTree.Allreligionsfromthebeginningsofman’sreligioustimeabideinme.
