Дни грёз
Its Walls Were As Of Jasper
Thenawhiteroadran,withwilful,uncalled-forloops,upasteep,conicalhill,crownedwithtowers,bastionedwalls,andbelfries;anddowntheroadthelittleknightscameriding,twoandtwo.Thehillononesidedescendedtowater,tranquil,far-reaching,andblue;andaverycurlyshiplayatanchor,withonemasthavinganoddsortofcrow’s-nestatthetopofit.
Therewasplentytodointhispleasantland.Theannoyingthingaboutitwas,onecouldneverpenetratebeyondacertainpoint.ImightwanderupthatroadasoftenasIliked,Iwasboundtobebroughtupatthegateway,thefunnygalleried,top-heavygateway,ofthelittlewalledtown.Inside,doubtless,therewerehighjinksgoingon;butthepasswordwasdeniedtome.Icouldgetonboardaboatandrowupasfarasthecurlyship,butaroundtheheadlandImightnotgo.Ontheotherside,ofasurety,theshippinglaythick.Themerchantswalkedonthequay,andthesailorssangastheyswungoutthecordedbales.Butasforme,Imuststaydowninthemeadow,andimagineitallasbestIcould.
OnceIbroachedthesubjecttoCharlotte,andfound,tomysurprise,thatshehadhadthesamejoysandencounteredthesamedisappointmentsinthisdelectablecountry.
