Білий корабель
ItwasagainstthefullmoononenightintheimmemorialyearofTharpthatIsawoutlinedthebeckoningformofthecelestialbird,andfeltthefirststirringsofunrest. ThenIspokewiththebeardedman,andtoldhimofmynewyearningstodepartforremoteCathuria,whichnomanhathseen,butwhichallbelievetoliebeyondthebasaltpillarsoftheWest. ItistheLandofHope,andinitshinetheperfectidealsofallthatweknowelsewhere; oratleastsomenrelate. Butthebeardedmansaidtome,"BewareofthoseperilousseaswhereinmensayCathurialies. InSona–Nylthereisnopainordeath,butwhocantellwhatliesbeyondthebasaltpillarsoftheWest?" NathelessatthenextfullmoonIboardedtheWhiteShip,andwiththereluctantbeardedmanleftthehappyharborforuntraveledseas.
Andthebirdofheavenflewbefore,andledustowardthebasaltpillarsoftheWest,butthistimetheoarsmensangnosoftsongsunderthefullmoon. InmymindIwouldoftenpicturetheunknownLandofCathuriawithitssplendidgrovesandpalaces,andwouldwonderwhatnewdelightsthereawaitedme. "Cathuria,"Iwouldsaytomyself,"istheabodeofgodsandthelandofunnumberedcitiesofgold. Itsforestsareofaloeandsandalwood,evenasthefragrantgrovesofCamorin,andamongthetreesfluttergaybirdssweetwithsong.
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