Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды
12. The Drug Of Our Lady The Moon
Andthat,too,intheolddaysofoarandsail,whenmachinesdrawingpowerfromourLordtheSunwerebutrarelyusedtohelpavesselspeedilyalonghercourse.
TheEgyptvoyageandareturnwasamatterofayearthen,asagainstabraceofmonthsnow,andofthreeshipsthatsetout,oneatleastcouldbereckoneduponsuccumbingtothedangersofthewidewatersandtheterriblebeaststhathauntthem.Butinthoseolddaystraderoaredwithlustylife,andwasevergrowingwiderandmoreheavy.YourmerchantthenwasaportlymanandgavegenerouslytotheGods.Butnowalltheworldseemedtobeinarms,andmoreovertradewasvulgar.Yourmerchant,ifhewasamanofsubstance,forgothismerchandise,sworethatchafferingwasmoreindelicatethanblasphemyandcurledhisbeardafterthenewfashion,andbecameacourtier.Wherehisfatherhadspentanxiousdayswithcargotallyandship-master,thesonwastedhoursindirectingsewingmenastheyadornedacoat,andnightsinvapouringatabanquet.
Ofthesmallermerchantswhohadnosubstancelaidby,taxesandtheconstantbickeringsofwarhadwellnighgroundthemintostarvation.Besides,withthecountryinconstantuproar,therewerefewmarketsleftformostmerchandise,norwasthereaughtmadenowwhichcouldbecarriedabroad.Ifyourweaverispressedasafire-tubemanhedoesnotmakecloth,andifyourfarmerisplayingatrebellion,hedoesnotbuyslavestotillhisfields.
