Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
20. On The Bosom Of The Deep
HeledmeuptotheArkoftheMysteries,andchidedmyimpatience,andwaitedtillIhadgivenitmyreverentialkiss,andthenhecalledaloud,andanotheroldmancameoutoftheopeningwhichisinthetopoftheArk,andclimbedpainfullydownbythebattenswhicharefixedonitssides.HewasamanIhadneverseenbefore,hoary,frail,andemaciated,andheandZaemonwerethentheonlytworemainingPriestswhohadbeenraisedtothehighestdegreeknowntoourClan,andwhoalonehadknowledgeofthehighestsecretsandpowersandmysteries.
“Look!”criedZaemon,inhisshrilloldvoice,andsweptatremblingfingerovertheshatteredcity,andthegreatspreadofseaandcountrywhichlayinviewofusbelow.Ifollowedhispointingandlooked,andachillbegantocrawlthroughme.Allwasplainlyshown.OurLordtheSunburnedhighoverheadinaskyofcloudlessblue,anddayshimmeredinHisheat.Allbelowseemedfromthatdistancepeacefulandwarmandstill,saveonlythatthemountainssmokedmorethanordinary,andsomespoutedfires,andthattheseaboiledwithsomestrangedisorder.
Butitwasthesignificanceoftheseathattroubledmemost.Faroutonthedistantcoastitsurgedagainsttherocksinenormousrollsofsurf;andupthegreatestuary,attheheadofwhichthecityofAtlantisstands,itgushedinsuccessivewavesofenormousheightwhichneverreturned.Alreadythelowerlandsoneithersidewereblottedoutbeneathtumultuouswaters,theharbourwallsweredrownedoutofsight,andthefloodwascreepingupintothelowerwardsofthegreatcityitself.
