Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
20. On The Bosom Of The Deep
Theendwascomingverynearlytothemnow,andthegreatcrowdofthemweremadwithterror.
IwouldhavegivenmuchtohaveknownhowPhorenicefaredinthatfinaltumult,andhowshefacedit.Icouldseeher,withherlovelyface,andherwondrouseyes,andherruddyhaircurlingaboutherneck,andbyalltheGods!Ithoughtmoreofheratthatlastmomentthanofthepoorlandshehadconquered,andmisgoverned,andbroughttothishorriddestruction.ThereisnodenyingthefascinationwhichPhorenicecarriedwithher.
Buttheenddidnotdallylongwithitscoming.TherewasalittlesurgethatliftedtheArkahand’sbreadthorsoinitscradle,andsetitbackagainwithajarandaquiver.Theblowsfromaxesandweaponsceasedonitslowerpart,butredoubledintofrenziedbatteringsonitsroundedroof.Thereweresomescreamsandcriesalsowhichcametousbutdullythroughthethicknessofitsponderoussheathing,thoughlikelyenoughtheyweresentforthatthefullpitchofhumanlungsoutside.Andwhenanothersurgecame,roaringandthundering,whichpickedupthegreatvesselasthoughithadbeenafeather,andspunitgiddily;andafterthatwetouchedearthorrocknomore.
Wetossedaboutonthecrestandtroughsofdeliriousseas,asportforthegreedyGodsoftheocean.Thelamphadfallen,andwecrouchedthereindarkness,dullyweighedwiththeburdenofknowledgethatwealoneweresavedoutofwhatwasyesterdayamightynation.
