Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
11. An Affair With The Barbarous Fishers
OnlythecommandsthatZaemonlaiduponmewhenheandIspoketogetherinthesacredtongue,didIwithhold,asitisnotlawfultorepeatthesematterssaveonlyintheHighCouncilofthePriestsitselfastheysitbeforetheArkoftheMysteries.
“YouseemtohaveanunusualkindlinessforthisrebelNais,”saidPhorenice.
“Sheshowedherselftomeasmorecleverandthoughtfulthanthecommonherd.”
“Ay,”sheanswered,withasighthatIthinkwasrealenoughinitsway,“anEmpresslosesmuchthatmeanerwomangetsashercommondue.”
“Inwhatparticular?”
“Shemissesthehonestwooingofherequals.”
“IfyousetupforaGoddess—”Isaid.
“Pah!IwishtobenoGoddesstoyou,Deucalion.Thatwasforthecommonpeople;itgivesmemorepowerwiththem;ithelpsmyschemes.AllyouSevenhigherpriestsknowthattrickofcallingdownthefire,anditpleasedmetofilchit.Canyounotbegenerous,andadmitthatawomanmaybeascleverinfindingoutthesenaturallawsasyourmustyelderpriests?”
“RemainsthatyouareEmpress.”
“NorEmpresseither.Justthinkthatthereisawomanseatedbesideyouonthiscushion,Deucalion,andlookuponher,andsaywhatwordscomefirsttoyourlips.Havedonewithceremonies,andhavedonewithstatecraft.Doyouwishtowaitonasyouaretillallyourmanhoodwithers?Itiswellnottohurryundulyinthesematters:Iamwithyouthere.Yet,whobutafoolwatchesafruitgrowripe,andthenleavesittillitispastitsprime?”
Ilookedonhergloriousbeauty,butasIliveitleftmecold.
