Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды
14. Again The Gods Make Change
Wewalkedoutfromthescarletawningintotheglareofthesunshine,sheleaningonme,flushing,andsoradiantlylovelythatthepeoplebegantohailherwithrapturousshoutsof“AGoddess;ourGoddessPhorenice.”Butformetheyhadnowelcomingword.Ithinkthesetgrimnessofmyfacebothscaredandrepelledthem.
Wewentupthestepswhichledtothethrone,thepeoplestillshouting,andIsatherintheroyalseatbeneaththesnake’soutstretchedhead,andshedrewmedowntositbesideher.
Sheraisedherjewelledhand,andasilencefellonthatgreatthrong,asthoughthebreathhadbeensuddenlycutshortforallofthem.
ThenPhorenicemadeproclamation:
“Hearme,Omypeople,andhearme,OHighGodsfromwhomIamcome.ItakethismanDeucalion,tobemyhusband,tosharewithmetheprosperityofAtlantis,andjoinmeinguardingourgreatpossession.Mayallourenemiesperishassheisnowperishingabovewhomwesit.”Andthensheputherarmsaroundmyneck,andkissedmehotlyonthemouth.
InturnIalsospoke:“Hearme,OmostHighGods,whoseservantIam,andhearmealso,Oyepeople.ItakethisEmpress,Phorenice,towife,tohelpwithhertheprosperityofAtlantis,andjoinwithheringuardingthewelfareofthatgreatpossession.Mayalltheenemiesofthiscountryperishastheyhaveperishedinthepast.”
Andthen,Itoo,whohadnotbeenpermittedbythefatetotouchthelipsofmylove,bestowedthefirstkissIhadevergivenwomantoPhorenice,thatwasnowbeingmademywife.
Butwewerenotcompletelylinkedyet.
