Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди

           “Youdogs,”hecried,“youempty-witteddogs!DoyouaskthatIshoulddegradethepowersoftheHigherMysteriesbydancingthemoutbeforeyouasthoughtheywereamummers’show?Doyoutickleyourselvesthatyouaretobetemptedbacktoyourallegiance?ItisforyoutowootheGodswhoaresooffended.Comeinhumility,andItakeituponmyselftodeclarethatyouwillreceivefittingpardonandrelief.Remainstubborn,andthescourge,Phorenice,maytormentyouintoannihilationbeforesheinturnismadetoanswerfortheevilshehasputupontheland.Thereisthechoiceforyoutopickat.”

           Theturmoilofvoicesroseagainintothewetnessofthenight,andweaponswereupraisedmenacingly.Itwasclearthatthepartyforindependencehadbyfarthegreaterweight,bothinnumbersandlustiness;andthosewhomight,fromsheerwearinessofstrife,havebeenwillingforsurrender,withheldtheirwordthroughterroroftheconsequence.Itwasafinecommentonthefreedomofspeech,aboutwhichtheseunrulyfoolshadmadetheirboast,and,withaslymalice,IcouldnothelpwhisperingawordonthistoNaisasshestoodatmyelbow.ButNaisclutchedatmyhand,andimploredmeforcaution.“Oh,besilent,mylord,”shewhisperedback,“ortheywilltearyouinpieces.Theyareonfireformischiefnow.”

           “Yetafewhoursbackyouwereforkillingmeyourself,”Icouldnothelpremindingher.

           Sheturnedonmewithahotlook.“Awomancanchangehermind,mylord.Butitbecomesyoulittletoremindherofherfickleness.