Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
13. The Burying Alive Of Nais
It’sdonebynoordersofmine,Deucalion.Theyhaveswungroundtothischangebysheercourtierinstinct.Why,lookatthebeardsofthemen!Thereisnothalfthecurlaboutmanyofthemto-daythattheyshowedwithsuchexquisitenessyesterday.Bymyface!Ibelievethey’dreaptheirchinsto-morrowassmoothasyours,ifyougoonsettingthefashionsatthisprodigiousrateandIdonotinterfere.”
“Whyhinderthemiftheyfeelmorecleanlyshaven?”
“No,sir.ThereshallbeonlyonecleanchinwhereabeardcangrowinallAtlantis,andthatshallbecarriedbythemanwhoishusbandtotheEmpress.Why,myDeucalion,wouldyouhavenosumptuarylaws?Wouldyouhavethesegoodfolkhereandthecommonpeopleoutsideimitateusineverycutofthehairandeveryfoldofagarmentwhichitpleasesustodiscover?Come,sir,ifyouandIchosetosaythatoursovereigntywasmarkedonlybyoursuperiorstrengthofarmandwit,theywouldhateusatonceforourarrogance;whereas,ifwekeepaparttoourselvesafewmerepersonaldecorations,thesebecomejustobjectstoadmireandpleasantlyenvy.”
“Youshowmethatthereismoreintheofficeofarulerthanmeetstheeye.”
“Andyettheytellme,andindeedshowme,thatyouhaveruledwithsomesuccess.”
“Iemployedtheoldermethod.ItrequiresaPhorenicetoinventthesenicerflights.”
“Flatterer!”saidshe,andsmotemeplayfullywiththebackofherlittlefingersonmyarm.“Youarebecomingasgreatacourtierasanyofthem.
