Похований з фараонами
Chapter 2
AndbehinditallIsawtheineffablemalignityofprimordialnecromancy,blackandamorphous, andfumblinggreedilyaftermeinthedarknesstochokeoutthespiritthathaddaredtomockitbyemulation.
Inmysleepingbraintheretookshapeamelodramaofsinisterhatredandpursuit, andIsawtheblacksoulofEgyptsinglingmeoutandcallingmeininaudiblewhispers; callingandluringme,leadingmeonwiththeglitterandglamorofaSaracenicsurface,buteverpullingmedowntotheage-madcatacombsandhorrorsofitsdeadandabysmalpharaonicheart.
Thenthedreamfacestookonhumanresemblances,andIsawmyguideAbdulReisintherobesofaking,withthesneeroftheSphinxonhisfeatures. AndIknewthatthosefeatureswerethefeaturesofKhephrentheGreat,whoraisedtheSecondPyramid, carvedovertheSphinx’sfaceinthelikenessofhisownandbuiltthattitanicgatewaytemplewhosemyriadcorridorsthearchaeologiststhinktheyhavedugoutofthecrypticalsandandtheuninformativerock. AndIlookedatthelong,leanrigidhandofKhephren;thelong,lean,rigidhandasIhadseenitonthedioritestatueintheCairoMuseum—thestatuetheyhadfoundintheterriblegatewaytemple —andwonderedthatIhadnotshriekedwhenIsawitonAbdulReis...Thathand! Itwashideouslycold,anditwascrushingme; itwasthecoldandcrampingofthesarcophagusthechillandconstrictionofunrememberableEgypt... Itwasnighted,necropolitanEgyptitself..,thatyellowpaw..andtheywhispersuchthingsofKhephren...
