Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды

           Theyarenoself-seekers;theiraimwasalwaystofurthertheinterestofAtlantis,andsodohonourtothekingdomonwhichtheHighGodshadsettheirspecialfavour.UnderthePriestlyClan,Atlantishadreachedthepinnacleofhumanprosperityandhappiness.

           “But,”criedtheoldman,wavingtheSymboltillhiswetbodyglistenedinahalooflight,“thepeoplegrewfatandcarelesswiththeireasylife.Theybegantohaveaconceitthattheirgoodfortunewasearnedbytheirownpunybrainsandthews,andwasnogiftfromtheGodsabove;andpresentlythecultoftheseGodsbecameneglected,andTheirtempleswerebarrenofgiftsandworshippers.Followedapunishment.TheGodsinTheirinscrutablewaydecreedthatawifeofoneofthePriests(thatwasagovernorofnoinconsiderableprovince)shouldseeawomanchildbythewayside,andtakeitforadoption.ThatchildtheGodsintheirinfinitewisdomfashionedintoascourgeforAtlantis,andyouwhohavefelttheweightofPhorenice’shand,knowwithwhatcompletenesstheHighGodscanfashiontheirinstruments.

           “Yet,evenastheysetup,socantheythrowdown,andthosethatshalldebasePhoreniceareevennowappointed.Theoldruleistobere-established;butnottillyouwhohavesinnedaresufficientlychastenedtocrytoitforrelief.”HewavedthemysteriousglowingSymbolbeforehim.“See,”hecriedinhishigholdquaveringvoice,“youknowtheunspeakablePowerofwhichthatisthesign,andforwhichIamthemouthpiece.Itisforyoutomakedecisionnow.