Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
14. Again The Gods Make Change
ButperhapsIamhardthereonthem.Amanwhoisneedlesslytakenroundtoplumbanddulylevelthetombwherehisloveliesburiedliving,mayperhapsbeexcusedbytheassessorsonhighalittlespiritofbitterness.
Ihadgoneupthestepstodomyhatefulworkamanfullofgrief,thoughoutwardlyunmoved.AsIcamedownagainIhadafeelingofincompleteness;itseemedasthoughhalfmyinwardshadbeenleftbehindwithNaisinthehollowofthestone,andtheirplacewastakenbyavoidwhichachedwearily;butstillIcarriedapassiveface,andmemorythatbeforealltheseprivatemattersstoodthecommandoftheHighCouncil,whichsatbeforetheArkoftheMysteries.
SoIwentandstoodbeforePhorenice,andsaidthewordswhichtheancientformsprescribedconcerningthecarryingoutofherwish.
“Then,now,”shesaid,“Iwillgivemyselftoyouaswife.Wearenotasothers,youandI,Deucalion.Thereisalawandaformsetdownforthemarryingoftheseotherpeople,butthatwouldbeuselessforourpurposes.Wewillhaveneitherpriestnorscribetojoinusandsetdowntheunion.IamthelawhereinAtlantis,andyousoonwillbepartofme.Wewillnotbedemeanedbyprofanerhands.Wewillmaketheceremonyforourselves,andforwitnesses,therearesufficientinwaiting.Afterwards,therecordshallbecutdeepinthegranitethroneyouhavebuiltforme,andtheletteringfilledinwithgold,sothatitshallendureandremainbrightforalways.”
“TheEmpresscandonowrong,”Isaidformally,andtookthehandsheofferedme,andhelpedhertorise.
