Белый корабль

           Upfromthesearoselordlyterracesofverdure,tree-studded,andshewinghereandtherethegleamingwhiteroofsandcolonnadesofstrangetemples. Aswedrewnearerthegreenshorethebeardedmantoldmeofthatland,thelandofZar,wheredwellallthedreamsandthoughtsofbeautythatcometomenonceandthenareforgotten. AndwhenIlookedupontheterracesagainIsawthatwhathesaidwastrue,foramongthesightsbeforemeweremanythingsIhadonceseenthroughthemistsbeyondthehorizonandinthephosphorescentdepthsofocean. TheretoowereformsandfantasiesmoresplendidthananyIhadeverknown;thevisionsofyoungpoetswhodiedinwantbeforetheworldcouldlearnofwhattheyhadseenanddreamed. ButwedidnotsetfootupontheslopingmeadowsofZar,foritistoldthathewhotreadsthemmaynevermorereturntohisnativeshore. 

           AstheWhiteShipsailedsilentlyawayfromthetempledterracesofZar,webeheldonthedistanthorizonaheadthespiresofamightycity;andthebeardedmansaidtome, "ThisisThalarion,theCityofaThousandWonders,whereinresideallthosemysteriesthatmanhasstriveninvaintofathom." AndIlookedagain,atcloserrange,andsawthatthecitywasgreaterthananycityIhadknownordreamedofbefore. Intotheskythespiresofitstemplesreached,sothatnomanmightbeholdtheirpeaks; andfarbackbeyondthehorizonstretchedthegrim,graywalls,overwhichonemightspyonlyafewroofs,weirdandominous,yetadornedwithrichfriezesandalluringsculptures.