Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
2. Back To Atlantis
ButasIwalkedbentandhumblyonbehindtheheelsofTatho,thoughetiquetteforbadenoisysalutationstomyself,itcouldnotinhibitkindlyglances,andthesecamefromeverysoldier,everycourtier,andeverychiefwhostoodthereinthatgildedhall,andtheyfelluponmeverygratefully.Itisnotoftenthefallenmeetsuchtenderlooks.
Theformgoes,handeddownfromimmemorialcustom,thatonthesegreatceremonialdaysofchangingaruler,thoseofthepeoplebeingpresentmaybringforwardpetitionsandrequests;maymakeaccusationsagainsttheirretiringheadwithsureimmunityfromhisvengeance;ormaystatetheirownprivatetheoriesforthebettergovernmentoftheStateinthefuture.IthinkitmaybepardonedtomyvanityifIrecordthatnotavoicewasraisedagainstme,oragainstanyoftheitemsofmytwentyyearsofrule.Nordidanyspeakoutforalterationsinthefuture.Yes,eventhoughwemadethecircuitforthethreeprescribedtimes,allpresentshowedtheirapprovalingeneroussilence.
Then,onebehindtheother,thenewViceroyandtheold,wemarchedwithformalstepovergoldentilesofthatcouncilhallbeneaththepyramid,andthegreatofficersofstatelefttheirstationsandjoinedinourtrain;andatthefartherwallwecametothedoorofthoseprivatechamberswhichanhouragohadbeenmineown.
Ah,well!IhadnohomenowinanyofthosewondrouscitiesofYucatan,andIcouldnothelpfeelingabitterness,thoughinsoothIshouldhavebeenthankfulenoughtoreturntotheContinentofAtlantiswithmyheadstillinitsproperstation.
