Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
6. The Biters Of The City Walls
Tomesomeoftheirmannerswerecloselytouchingondisrespect.Atthehalfwayofthemeal,agorgeouspopinjay—hewasagovernorofanout-provincedrivenintothecapitalbyarebellioninhisownlands—thisgorgeousfop,Isay,walkedupbetweenthegroupsoffeasterswithflushedfaceandunsteadygait,anddidobeisancebeforethedivan.“MostastoundingEmpress,”criedhe,“fairestamongtheGoddesses,Queenregnantofmyadoringheart,hail!”
Phorenicewithasmilestretchedhimouthercup.Ilookedtoseehimpourrespectfullibation,butnosuchthing.Hesetthedrinktohislipsanddrainedittothefinaldrop.“Mayallyourtroubles,”hecried,“passfromyouaseasily,andleaveaspleasantaflavour.”
TheEmpressturnedtomewithoneofherquicklooks.“Youdonotlikethisnewhabit?”
TowhichIrepliedbluntlyenoughthattopouroutliquorataperson’sfeethadgrownthroughcustomtobeamarkofrespect,butthatdrinkingitseemedtomemereself-indulgence,whichmightbepractisedanywhere.
“Youstillkeeptotheoldaustereteachings,”shesaid.“Ournewercodebidsusenjoylifefirst,andorderotherthingssoasnottomeddlewithourmoreimmediatepleasure.”
Andsothefeastwenton,theguestspractisingtheirgluttoniesandtheirabsurdities,andtheguardsstandingtotheirarmsroundthecircuitofthewallsasmotionlessandassternasthestatuescarveninthewhitestonebeyondthem.Butatermwasputtotheorgywithsomethingofsuddenness.
