Подорож до Країни Оз
18. The Emerald City
Thereweremanypeopleonthesewalks—men,womenandchildren—alldressedinhandsomegarmentsofsilkorsatinorvelvet,withbeautifuljewels.Bettereventhanthis:allseemedhappyandcontented,fortheirfacesweresmilingandfreefromcare,andmusicandlaughtermightbeheardoneveryside.
"Don’ttheyworkatall?"askedtheshaggyman.
"Tobesuretheywork,"repliedtheTinWoodman;"thisfaircitycouldnotbebuiltorcaredforwithoutlabor,norcouldthefruitandvegetablesandotherfoodbeprovidedfortheinhabitantstoeat.Butnooneworksmorethanhalfhistime,andthepeopleofOzenjoytheirlaborsasmuchastheydotheirplay."
"It’swonderful!"declaredtheshaggyman."IdohopeOzmawillletmelivehere."
Thechariot,windingthroughmanycharmingstreets,pausedbeforeabuildingsovastandnobleandelegantthatevenButton-BrightguessedatoncethatitwastheRoyalPalace.Itsgardensandamplegroundsweresurroundedbyaseparatewall,notsohighorthickasthewallaroundtheCity,butmoredaintilydesignedandbuiltallofgreenmarble.Thegatesflewopenasthechariotappearedbeforethem,andtheCowardlyLionandHungryTigertrottedupajeweleddrivewaytothefrontdoorofthepalaceandstoppedshort.
"Hereweare!"saidDorothy,gaily,andhelpedButton-Brightfromthechariot.Polychromeleapedoutlightlyafterthem,andtheyweregreetedbyacrowdofgorgeouslydressedservantswhobowedlowasthevisitorsmountedthemarblesteps.Attheirheadwasaprettylittlemaidwithdarkhairandeyes,dressedallingreenembroideredwithsilver.