Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
18. Storm Of The Sacred Mountain
InoldentimesthePriests’Clanoversawallthearchitects’plans,andruledoutanythinglikelytoclashwiththeirsecretpassagesandchambers.ButinthismoderndaythePriestswereofsmallaccount,andhadnosayinthismatter,andthearchitectsoftenthroughsheerblunderingsealedupandmadeuselessmanyoftheseoutletsandhiding-places.
Asitwasthen,IhadtogetoutofthenetworkoftunnelsandgallerieswhereIcould,andnotwhereIwould,andintheeventfoundmyselfatthefarthersideofthecity,almostuptowheretheouterwalljoinsdowntotheharbour.Icameoutwithoutbeingseen,carefuleveninthismomentofextremitytopreservetheordinances,andclosedalltracesofexitbehindme.Theearthseemedtospringbeneathmyfeetlikethedeckofashipinsmoothwater;andthoughtherewasnoactualmovementasyettodisturbthepeople,andindeedthesesleptonintheirhousesandshelterswithoutalarm,Icouldfeelmyselfthatthesoliddeadnessofthegroundwasgone,andthatanymomentitmightbreakoutintodevastatingwavesofmovement.
Gods!ShouldIbetoolatetoseetheuntombingofmylove?Wouldshebelaidtherebaretothepublicgazewhenpresentlythepeopleswarmedoutintotheopenspacesthroughfearatwhatthegreatearthtremormightcausetofall?Icouldsee,infancy,theirrude,cruelhandsthrustuponherasshelaytherehelpless,andmyinwardsdriedupatthethought.
Iranmadlydownanddownthenarrowwindingstreetswiththeonethoughtofcomingtothesquarewhichlayinfrontoftheroyalpyramidbeforethesethingscametopass.
