Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды
3. A Rival Navy
IntotheworkingoftheshipitwascontrarytorulethatIshouldmakeanyinspectionorinterest,sinceallseamattersweretheexclusivepropertyoftheMariners’Guild,securedtothembyroyalpatent,andmostjealouslyguarded.
Sothereremainedtomeinmyday,hourstogaze(ifIwould)uponthequays,theharbours,thepalaces,andthepyramidsofthesplendidcitybeforemewhichIhadseengrowstonebystonefromitsfoundations;ortoroammyeyeoverthepasturesandthegrainlandsbeyondthewalls,andtolooklonginglyatthedenseforestsbehind,fromwhichfieldbyfieldwehadsotediouslyrippedourterritory.
WouldTathocontinuetheworksohealthilybegun?Itrustedso,eveninspiteofhisselfishwords.Andatallhours,duringtheradianceofourLordtheSun,orunderthestarsofnight,Iwasfreetopursuethatstudyofthehighermysteries,onwhichweofthePriests’Clanaretrainedtosetourminds,withoutaidofbookorinstrument,ofimageortemple.
Therefittingofthenavywasgoneaboutwithspeed.Never,itissaid,hadshipsbeenreprovisionedandcaulked,andremannedwithgreaterspeedfortheover-oceanvoyage.Indeed,itwasbarelyoveramonthfromthedaythattheybroughtupintheharbour,theyputoutbeyondthewalls,andbegantheirvoyageeastwardoverthehillsanddaleoftheocean.
