Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
5. Zaemon’s Curse
Theywereperfectlyinearnestinofferingmetheswords,andIrecognisedthatthiswasadifferentAtlantisthatIhadcomehometo,whereamanhaddreadofthetortureforameredifferenceconcerningthecutofacoat.
Therewasabathinthepavilion,andinthatIregaledmyselfgladly,thoughtherewassomepaltryscentaddedtothewaterthattookawayhalfitsrefreshingpower;andthenIsetmyselftowaitwithalloutwardcomposureandplacidity.Thechamberlainsweretoowell-bredtobreakintomycalm,andIdidnotcondescendtosmalltalk.Sothereweremained,thefourofus,Isitting,theystanding,withourLordtheSunsmitingheavilyonthescarletroofofthepavilion,whilstthemusicblared,andthewelcomingfiresdispersedtheirodoursfromthegreatpavedsquarewithout,whichfaceduponthequay.
Ithasbeensaidthatthegreatshouldalwayscollectdignitybykeepingthoseoflesserdegreewaitingtheirpleasure,thoughformyselfImustsayIhavealwaysthoughtthestratagempaltryandbeneathme.Phorenicealsoseemedofthisopinion,for(assheherselftoldmelater)atthemomentthatTob’sgalleywasreportedashavingitsflankagainstthemarbleoftheroyalquay,atthatprecisemomentdidshestartoutfromthepalace.Thegorgeousprocessionwasalreadymarshalled,bedecked,andwaitingonlyforitschiefestornament,andassoonasshehadmountedtohersteed,trumpetsgavetheorder,andtheadvancebegan.
Sittinginthedoorwayofthepavilion,Isawthesoldierywhoformedtheheadofthisvastconcourseemergefromthegreatbroadstreetwhereitleftthehouses.
