Конец вечности
The Beginning of Eternity
"Firedwiththatthought,andwithallthatimplied,anxiousthattheprocessofestablishingEternitybesomehowquickened,improved,andmademoresecure,hewrotehismemoirandplaceditinacubeofTime-stasisinthelivingroomofhishouse.
"Andsothecirclewasclosed.Cooper-Mallansohn’sintentionsinwritingthememoirwere,ofcourse,disregarded.Coopermustgothroughhislifeexactlyashehadgonethroughit.PrimitiveRealityallowsofnochanges.Atthismomentinphysiotime,theCooperyouknowisunawareofwhatliesaheadofhim.HebelievesheisonlytoinstructMallansohnandtoreturn.Hewillcontinuetobelievesountiltheyearsteachhimdifferentlyandhesitsdowntowritehismemoir.
"TheintentionofthecircleinTimeistoestablishtheknowledgeofTime-travelandofthenatureofReality,tobuildEternity,aheadofitsnaturalTime.Lefttoitself,mankindwouldnothavelearnedthetruthaboutTimebeforetheirtechnologicaladvancesinotherdirectionshadmaderacialsuicideinevitable."
Harlanlistenedintently,caughtupinthevisionofamightycircleinTime,closeduponitself,andtraversingEternityinpartofitscourse.HecameasclosetoforgettingNoys,forthemoment,asheevercould.
Heasked,"Thenyouknewallalongeverythingyouweretodo,everythingIwastodo,everythingIhavedone.
