Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
12. The Drug Of Our Lady The Moon
AsIhavetoldyoubefore,itismywhimtobePhorenice,themaiden,forafewhours,andifsomeoneIwotofwouldwoomenow,asothermaidensarewooed,Ishouldesteemitaluxury.Bidtheslavescarryusroundtheharbour’srim,andgivewordtothesestarersthat,iftheyfollow,IwillcalldownfireuponthemasIdiduponthesacrifice.”
Now,Ihadseensomethingoftheunrulinessofthestreetsmyself,andIhadgatheredahintalsofromtheofficeratthegateoftheroyalpyramidthatnightofPhorenice’swelcomingbanquet.ButaswhatevertherewasinthemattermustbecommonknowledgetotheEmpress,Ididnotbringittohermemorythen.SoIdismissedtheguardwhichhadcomeup,anddroveawaywithafewsharpwordsthethrongofgapingsightseerswhoalways,sillycreatures,mustneedscometostareattheirbetters;andthenIsatinthelitterintheplacewhereIwasinvited,andthebearersputtheirheadstothepole.
Theyswungawaywithusalongthewidepavementwhichrunsbetweenthehousesofthemerchantsandthemarinerfolkandthedimplingwatersoftheharbour,andIthoughtsomewhatsadlyofthefewshipsthatfloatedonthatsplendidbasinnow,andofthefewevidencesofbusinessthatshowedthemselvesonthequays.Timewaswhentheshipswereberthedsoclosethatmanyhadtowaitintheestuaryoutsidethewalls,andmemorialshadbeensenttotheKingthattheportshouldbedoubledinsizetoholdtheglutoftrade.
