Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
20. On The Bosom Of The Deep
Thepoordementedcreatureshadthoughtitwaseveryoneforhimselfnow,tilltheseguards(bytheirmistress’sorder)provedtothemthatPhorenicestillcamefirst.
Andinthemiddleofthem,borneinalitterofgoldandivorybyhergrotesqueEuropeanslaves,rodetheEmpress,stillcalm,stilllovely,andseeminglydividedinhersentimentsbetweencontemptandamusement.Hertwochildrenlayinthelitteratherfeet.OnherrighthandmarchedTathogorgeouslyapparelled,andwithabeardcurledandplaitedintoathousandringlets.Ontheotherside,plyingherindustrywithunruffleddefence,walkedYlga,onceagainfan-girl,andsostillsecondladyinthisdwindlingkingdom.
ThepartyofthemhaltedhalfascoreofpacesfromtheArkbyPhorenice’sorder.“Donotgonearertothoseuncleanoldmen.Theycarryarankodourwiththem,andforthemomentweareshortofessencestosweetentheairoftheirneighbourhood.”Sheliftedhereyebrowsandlookedupatme.“Trulyaquietlittlegatheringofoldacquaintances.Why,thereisDeucalion,thatonceItooktheflavourofandthrewasidewhenhecloyedme.”
“IhaveNaishere,”Isaid,“andpresentlywetwowillbeallthatareleftaliveofthisnation.”
“Naisisquitewelcometomyleavings,”shelaughed.“IwilllookdownuponyourcountrycooingswhenpresentlyIgobacktothePlacebehindthestarsfromwhichIcame.Youareaveryrusticperson,Deucalion.TheytellmetoothatthreeorfourofthesesmellingoldmenupherehavenamedyouKing.
