They had said that the wind would not
be contrary, or that there would be none. But as we approached the land
the wind arose, and threw up waves eight cubits high. As for me, I
seized a piece of wood; but those who were in the vessel perished,
without one remaining. A wave threw me on an island, after that I had
been three days alone, without a companion beside my own heart. I laid
me in a thicket, and the shadow covered me. Then stretched I my limbs
to try to find something for my mouth. I found there figs and grapes,
all manner of good herbs, berries and grain, melons of all kinds,
fishes and birds. Nothing was lacking. And I satisfied myself; and
left on the ground that which was over, of what my arms had been
filled withal. I dug a pit, I lighted a fire, and I made a
burntoffering unto the gods.
"Suddenly I heard a noise as of thunder, which I thought to be that of a
wave of the sea. The trees shook, and the earth was moved. I uncovered
my face, and I saw that a serpent drew near. He was thirty cubits long,
and his beard greater than two cubits; his body was as overlayed with
gold, and his colour as that of true lazuli. He coiled himself before me.
"Then he opened his mouth, while that I lay on my face before him, and
he said to me, 'What has brought thee, what has brought thee, little
one, what has brought thee? If thou sayest not speedily what has
brought thee to this isle, I will make thee know thyself; as a flame
thou shalt vanish, if thou tellest me not something I have not heard,
or which I knew not, before thee.
Pages:
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52