Перші люди на Місяці

           ‘Theywanttocommunicate,andyetnottocommunicate,’hesaid,andthenforalongtimehequestionedmecloselyconcerningwar.

           “Hewasatfirstperplexedandincredulous.‘Youmeantosay,’heasked,seekingconfirmation,‘thatyourunaboutoverthesurfaceofyourworld—thisworld,whoserichesyouhavescarcelybeguntoscrape—killingoneanotherforbeaststoeat?’

           “Itoldhimthatwasperfectlycorrect.

           “Heaskedforparticularstoassisthisimagination.

           “‘Butdonotshipsandyourpoorlittlecitiesgetinjured?’heasked,andIfoundthewasteofpropertyandconveniencesseemedtoimpresshimalmostasmuchasthekilling.‘Tellmemore,’saidtheGrandLunar;‘makemeseepictures.Icannotconceivethesethings.’

           “Andso,foraspace,thoughsomethingloath,ItoldhimthestoryofearthlyWar.

           “Itoldhimofthefirstordersandceremoniesofwar,ofwarningsandultimatums,andthemarshallingandmarchingoftroops.Igavehimanideaofmanoeuvresandpositionsandbattlejoined.Itoldhimofsiegesandassaults,ofstarvationandhardshipintrenches,andofsentinelsfreezinginthesnow.Itoldhimofroutsandsurprises,anddesperatelaststandsandfainthopes,andthepitilesspursuitoffugitivesandthedeaduponthefield.Itold,too,ofthepast,ofinvasionsandmassacres,oftheHunsandTartars,andthewarsofMahometandtheCaliphs,andoftheCrusades.AndasIwenton,andPhi-ootranslated,theSelenitescooedandmurmuredinasteadilyintensifiedemotion.