Атлант расправил плечи
The Concerto of Deliverance
Hewasawareofthelong,emptyroadstreaming,thencurving,thenstreamingstraightbeforehim,oftheeffortlesspressureofhishandsonthewheelandthescreechofthetiresonthecurves.Buthefeltasifhewerespeedingdownaskywaysuspendedandcoilinginemptyspace.
Thepassers-byatthefactories,thebridges,thepowerplantsalonghisroadsawasightthathadoncebeennaturalamongthem:atrim,expensivelypowerfulcardrivenbyaconfidentman,withtheconceptofsuccessproclaimedmoreloudlythanbyanyelectricsign,proclaimedbythedriver’sgarments,byhisexpertsteering,byhispurposefulspeed.
Theywatchedhimgopastandvanishintothehazeequatingearthwithnight.
Hesawhismillsrisinginthedarkness,asablacksilhouetteagainstabreathingglow.Theglowwasthecolorofburninggold,and"ReardenSteel"stoodwrittenacrosstheskyinthecool,whitefireofcrystal.
Helookedatthelongsilhouette,thecurvesofblastfurnacesstandingliketriumphalarches,thesmokestacksrisinglikeasolemncolonnadealonganavenueofhonorinanimperialcity,thebridgeshanginglikegarlands,thecranessalutinglikelances,thesmokewavingslowlylikeflags.Thesightbrokethestillnesswithinhimandhesmiledingreeting.Itwasasmileofhappiness,oflove,ofdedication.
