Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
5. Zaemon’s Curse
“Ihavebeenpiningthislongenoughforastrongermeatthantheycangive,”shewenton,“andatlastIhavesentforyou.Ihavebeenatsomepainstoprocuremytongue-picturesofyou,Deucalion,andthoughyoudonotknowmeyet,ImaysayIknewyouwithallthoroughnessevenbeforewemet.Icanadmireamanwithamindgreatenoughtoforegothesillygaudsofclothes,ortheexcessesoffeasts,orthepamperingsofwomen.”Shelookeddownatherownsilksandherglitteringjewels.“Wewomenliketocarrycoloursuponourpersons,butthatisadifferentmatter.AndsoIsentforyouheretobemyminister,andbearwithmetheburdenofruling.”
“ThereshouldbebettermeninbroadAtlantis.”
“Therearenot,mylord,andIwhoknowthemallbyhearttellyouso.Theyareallenamouredofmypoorperson;theywearymewiththeiremptyphrasesandtheirimportunities;and,thoughtheyarealwaysbrimmingwiththeircriesofservice,theirownadvancementandthefillingoftheirowntreasuriesevercomesfirstwiththem.SoIhavesentforyou,Deucalion,theonestrongmaninalltheworld.Youatleastwillnotsightobemylover?”
Isawherwatchingformyanswerfromthecornerofhereyes.“TheEmpress,”Isaid,“ismymistress,andIwillbeanhonestministertoher.WithPhorenice,thewoman,itislikelythatIshallhavelittleenoughtodo.Besides,Iamnotthesortthatsportswiththistoytheycalllove.”
“Andyetyouareapersonablemanenough,”shesaidratherthoughtfully.“Butthatstillfurtherprovesyourstrength,Deucalion.
