Atlantis was once a speck blown on the ocean's waves, a spot upon the foam, a floating nut that gathered to itself still other flotsam through the aeons gone and grew as all hath grown.
Atlantis began as a tiny speck adrift on the ocean, a mere dot on the waves. Like a floating seed, it collected other debris over countless ages, gradually expanding as all things do.
At first a clod of earth on which no life existed, but the birds of air found rest for weary wings, and sore distress of thirst was quenched in the low pools which caught the water from a weeping sky. Wrecked ships gave matter for its shape and size, and elements in motion added much towards the building of that ocean isle—a grain from out the granary of the deep.
At first, it was just a lump of barren earth. But birds soon found it a welcome refuge for their tired wings, and the shallow pools formed by rain provided relief from thirst. Shipwrecks contributed to its form and scale, while the ocean's movements shaped this island further—a tiny speck born from the vast sea.
Thus long it floated, sent out roots and sprays down to the coral of the deep sea bed and anchored; solid was it, not else could it have arisen from that dread wall of water in which it was engulfed.
So it floated for a long time. It sent roots and shoots down to the coral of the deep sea bed and anchored itself there. It was solid. Otherwise it could not have risen out of that dreadful wall of water that had engulfed it.
The aeons are the builders in God's building mart, and gave it size and beauty, all that land e’er gathered or land needeth. Fairer far it was than mine * which shows its wastes of sand unsightly; blossoms on that isle were touched with rainbow tints as fair as those where ether makes the planes which ye call "Paradise."
The aeons are the builders in God's building yard. They gave the island its size and beauty, everything land has ever gathered or needs. It was far fairer than my land * which shows its ugly wastes of sand. The blossoms on that island were touched with rainbow tints as lovely as those where the ether forms the planes that you call "Paradise."
The seeds of fruits and trees were wafted from that land named Africa, and gems which made much wealth were once in galleys borne, and boats once torn to fragments by the wind and waves had given treasure to the ocean isle.
Seeds from African fruits and trees drifted across the sea. Precious gems, once carried by ships, brought great riches. Boats shattered by storms had scattered their treasures on the island's shores.
The gold had formed in God's great crucible where matter formeth by a method man cannot grasp but through the aeons, for no speck of time can so create that man may turn and say: "Behold the wonders of the earth and sea which have been formed in this brief span of time!"
The gold had formed in God's great crucible, where matter forms by a method man cannot grasp, and only over the aeons. No speck of time can create in such a way that man may turn and say: "Look at the wonders of the earth and sea that have been formed in this short span of time!"
Volcanoes there rose pointed, high, through that fixed law of earth revolvement known to them who study earthy substances. Hot from friction of a mingled soil the growth is brief and thus a passage gives throughout the cone; gasses then are formed through suction, friction of the ether and the water force and all that activates the law, or task, and liquid from the solid thus is born, as steam from the heart of solid substance forms.
Volcanoes there towered tall and sharp, shaped by the earth's rotation - a process familiar to geologists. The intense heat from mixing soils fuels rapid growth, creating pathways through the cone. Gases form through suction and friction between air and water, along with other natural forces. This process transforms solid matter into liquid, much like steam rising from a solid core.
The cooler surface of the earthy crust checks spreading principle and thus, condensed, the vapor rises, bursts the bonds of earth and makes a channel for the heated stone and moulten substance-lava.
The Earth's cooler crust hinders the expansion of heat, causing pressure to build. As a result, the trapped vapor rises, breaking through the surface and creating a pathway for heated rock and molten lava to escape.
Like to all growths of short duration, these volcanic mountains; brief their beauty as a Summer's morn when all is calm, before the thunder's crash bursts fully, rending face of sky, distorting, piling high its clouds of blackness.
Like all short-lived phenomena, these volcanic mountains have fleeting beauty. They resemble a calm summer morning before a thunderstorm erupts, tearing apart the sky and twisting dark clouds into towering masses.
And thus had grown Atlantis off the Western coast of Africa one long day's rowing if the winds were fair and waves beat not.
Atlantis had developed off the west coast of Africa, about a day's journey by boat in good conditions.
The girth of that lost land was thrice, mayhap, of this strange spot thou callest "State," and every span was made a nest for seed, or to up-bear some work of man's deft art, or yet of forests grand with growth of giant trees.
That lost land was perhaps three times the size of what you call a "State," and every inch was used either for planting crops, supporting human-made structures, or growing vast forests of towering trees.
It rose a jewel on the ocean's breast and not one link of land to land was cast, but he who sought the shore of alien spot must journey in the galleys pierced for oars where slaves sat dumbly rowing all the day, chained, numb with labor or went down to death with shackles smiting and with curse on lips that man dared chain his fellow-God's own son as he—the brother—who was held as slave.
It rose like a jewel on the ocean's breast, and not one link of land joined it to any other land. Whoever sought the shore of a foreign place had to travel in galleys with holes cut for oars. There slaves sat silently rowing all day, chained and numb with labor. Or they went down to death with their shackles clashing and a curse on their lips. They cursed that man dared to chain his fellow man, God's own son just as he was, the brother who was held as a slave.
The miles which lay between the isle and Africa were, by computation of the law thy nation knoweth, five hundred stadia; it none the less the refuge was for persecuted men who risked their lives in fragile barks and every refugee was welcomed to that isle.
The distance between the island and Africa was approximately 500 stadia, as measured by your nation's laws. Despite this considerable gap, the island served as a sanctuary for persecuted individuals who risked their lives in flimsy boats. Every refugee who reached its shores was warmly welcomed.
They built them homes and throve upon its shores, for there was need of many men to till, to weave the golden reed, to build, at first but crudely, then the costly piles that crumble, crumble where the fish desport in sullen pleasure and where bright shells mark a spot within the shadows of the deep.
They settled and prospered along the coastline, as many hands were needed to farm, weave the golden reeds, and construct buildings. At first, these structures were simple, but they grew more elaborate over time. Now, these grand edifices slowly decay where fish swim in gloomy satisfaction, and colorful shells dot the seabed in the ocean's murky depths.
The verdure on the island's plains from Africa was borrowed. The people of the isle, ere reason taught or one had learned a government to form, made war upon the tribes of that great country—in that day more great than any land of earth, vast temples rose where forests crowd the soil and cities mocked the marts ye view today.
The greenery on the island's plains was borrowed from Africa. Before reason taught them, or anyone had learned to form a government, the people of the isle made war on the tribes of that great country. In that day it was greater than any land on earth. Vast temples rose where forests now crowd the soil, and its cities put to shame the markets you see today.
The people of Atlantis, question ye? A boat once drifted from the shore of "Italy"—then a barbarous land of murderous men who only held them higher than the brute, for those who knew them ranked them equal to the lower shape.
You ask about the people of Atlantis? Long ago, a boat drifted away from the coast of "Italy"—at that time, a savage land. Its inhabitants were violent men, barely considered better than animals. Those who knew them well thought them no different from beasts.
Such people drifted, reft of sail and oar and cast by sea upon the fertile isle remained to people and to build in time, when generations passed who owed their lives to this one boat of fishermen and maids. From wreck of ships that drifted there to beat, perchance, in staves upon the shore, they added to their nation, to their grain and to their flocks, which but a bleating lamb began.
Stranded survivors, without means to sail, washed up on this bountiful island. Over generations, descendants of these few fishermen and women built a community. As time passed, other shipwrecked souls joined them, expanding their population, crops, and herds—which had started with just a single lamb's bleat.
The men of old Atlantis held the form of men today, save that the skull did thicker bone growth show and slanting was each forehead. Shape designed to change as ages rolled along.
The ancient Atlanteans resembled modern humans, except for their thicker skulls and sloping foreheads. This physical form was destined to evolve over time.
Aye, beautiful the women of that race; lithe formed and pale the olive tint, nor faces black did mark the race and hair and eyes were dark as bird that croaks complaint.
Yes, the women of that race were beautiful. They were slender and of a pale olive tint. Black faces did not mark the race, and their hair and eyes were as dark as the raven that croaks its complaint.
A people born to look on God's great world as His fair gift must turn to Him their constant thought, and thus a people born to worship they.
A nation destined to view the vast universe as God's precious gift must keep Him at the center of their thoughts, and in doing so, they become a people naturally inclined to worship.
Long isolation from the world doth breed much thought, and thought is builder, thus they grew a people none might rival.
Long isolation from the world breeds much thought, and thought is a builder. So they grew into a people no one could rival.
With scorn ye learn my people were descended from that race begat by fishermen and wanton maids—but twain. Yet thus I speak: no shame is in my heart, for all God's creatures hold the spark of lust and only mind directeth what the lower will deems needful. Estate and name have had no place in God's creative law.
You learn with scorn that my people descended from that race fathered by fishermen and wanton maids, only two people. Yet I say this: there is no shame in my heart. All God's creatures hold the spark of lust, and only the mind directs what the lower will judges necessary. Rank and family name have had no place in God's creative law.
Atlantis first was peopled by the sons of they who drifted, but through the centuries came an alien horde, and yet the Government observed the purity of strain and none held power save those born on the isle, or when a custom held, by few observed, of taking foreign offspring if it pleased the mood or sight and giving birthright. This was done according to the law of priest, not King who made no laws which did conflict with old observance of his sires from the beginning—first—of Government and code of laws held sacred by the king in line unsullied.
Atlantis was first peopled by the sons of those who drifted there. Over the centuries a foreign horde came. Yet the government guarded the purity of the bloodline, and no one held power except those born on the isle. The one exception was a custom, observed by few, of taking foreign children if they pleased the mood or the eye, and giving them birthright. This was done under the law of the priests, not of the king. The king made no laws that conflicted with the old practice of his forefathers. That practice went back to the very first beginning of the government, and of the code of laws held sacred by the kings of an unbroken, unstained line.
The traders lived apart if alien to Atlantis, such there were in numbers; a people none did love save their own kind. A crafty sect from over sea; a set of men with faces whiter far than their Atlantian lords, but in their brain was craft which knew no check if so a purpose came into that brain.
The traders who were foreign to Atlantis lived apart, and there were many of them. No one loved them except their own kind. They were a crafty sect from over the sea, men with faces far whiter than their Atlantian lords. But in their brains was a craft that knew no check once a purpose came into those brains.
Long haired were they, with beards that flowed into their knees; their women beautiful and tender-nurtured, all unused to toil. They came from where the sun set. Western land they called "home." A race begot by zealots for a system all their own, nor brooked the customs of their neighbor lords nor yet their speech. Their language teemed in syllables, and names cut short with consonants were theirs.
They had long hair and beards that reached their knees. Their women were beautiful and delicate, unaccustomed to hard work. They came from the west, where the sun sets, calling that land their home. This group was created by fanatics devoted to their own unique system. They refused to adopt the customs or language of neighboring rulers. Their speech was full of syllables, and their names were abruptly shortened with consonants.
Their God a unity of forces—matter typified by instinct and intelligence. They flesh abhorred as food, though as the centuries passed the custom grew to eat of flesh as the Atlantians; thus, their early whim in food forgot, they did excell in bartering meat of quality far purer than their neighbors knew or sold.
Their God was a unity of forces, matter typified by instinct and intelligence. They abhorred flesh as food. Yet as the centuries passed, the custom grew of eating flesh as the Atlantians did. So, with their early fancy about food forgotten, they excelled in bartering meat of far purer quality than their neighbors knew or sold.
A care was theirs that animals they slew should bear the stamp of health and symmetry, for their contention was the food one ate gave to the body like condition.
They took great care to ensure the animals they killed for food were healthy and well-formed, believing that the quality of the meat one consumed directly affected one's physical condition.
They burned to God such matter as was fit—a simple sacrifice of flowers or fruit was theirs like unto the Atlantians. Their priests were men of mind, yet simple in their speech, nor arrogant like the Atlantian priests—all arrogance and consciousness of a power none should admit save in their soul.
They offered to God appropriate sacrifices - simple offerings of flowers or fruit, similar to the Atlanteans. Their priests were intelligent yet spoke plainly, unlike the Atlantian priests who were arrogant and overly aware of a power that should only be acknowledged privately.
Nay, not of theirs but of Atlantian origin the cross. A symbol in the temples to that god they designated "Ram." Aye, it was born in mind of one who woke to consciousness of God's creative force, not form, and also man's great part in distribution of the gifts of Him—the Mighty One. A crossing of God's work by man's to make a perfect whole.
The cross isn't from their culture, but from Atlantis. It was a symbol in temples dedicated to the god they called "Ram." It was conceived by someone who awakened to the awareness of God's creative power, not form, and humanity's important role in sharing God's gifts. The cross represents the intersection of God's work and human effort, creating a perfect unity.
The symbol of the stars so set in form bespake God's nearness to the land He had created; they taught God's nearness and man's art to so protect that with which He had studded Earth's great plains and hills. A symbol sacred; near the Throne it brought man's consciousness, so, when the cross shone brightest all were joyous; peace and plenty it bespake.
The symbol of the stars, set in that cross form, declared God's nearness to the land he had created. They taught God's nearness, and man's skill in protecting what he had studded across Earth's great plains and hills. It was a sacred symbol. It brought man's awareness near the Throne. So when the cross shone brightest, all were joyful, for it signified peace and plenty.
Yea, thus it was and is unto this day; a cross betokens God's great power and man's adaptation of material given for his uses by that One who set the stars on high in form of cross.
Indeed, it remains true to this day: the cross symbolizes both God's immense power and humanity's ability to repurpose materials provided by the Creator, who placed the stars in the sky in the shape of a cross.
The Atlantian language nearer thine * than any other tongue extant. Absorbing characters that learned were by man self-taught through wisdom of the soul. Aye, like unto the Greek, perhaps, in measure, for the people of those isles but spake the tongue of their ancestry—all Atlantian as they were.
The Atlantian language is nearer to yours * than any other tongue now existing. It took in characters that man learned by teaching himself, through the wisdom of the soul. Yes, it was perhaps like Greek in some measure, for the people of those isles simply spoke the tongue of their ancestors, Atlantian as they all were.
The characters for speech, at first but crude, soon caught the grace of every art employed by those deft fingered people; greater far than any nation that has trod God's earth since their grand day was set.
The writing system, initially rudimentary, quickly evolved to reflect the artistry of this skilled civilization. Their cultural achievements surpassed those of any society that has existed since their golden age.
The characters? Aye, less Greek than Magyr were they, in their infancy but crude. The picture of some object meant emotion also pictured as a human form in contact point of similarity with need, or grief or pain.
The characters? They were less Greek than Magyar, primitive in their early stages. A picture of an object also conveyed emotion, often depicted as a human figure touching a point that symbolized a need, sorrow, or pain.
Old records hid neath sand shall yet be brought to light, absorbing men of nations near and far, which show ye all I mention; plates of metal made by skillful smith by skillful chemist's rule.
Ancient records buried under sand will eventually be unearthed, captivating people from around the world. These discoveries will reveal everything I've mentioned: metal plates crafted by expert metalworkers using advanced chemical techniques.
Thou asketh for proof of characters? This I show as taught me or as eye of soul beholds: A man in drunken frenzy, and all helpless first I show as on the tablets drawn, or cut by tempered "steel" the greater was the cup he held, the grapes full big, extolled the strength of wine which could a man subdue.
You ask for proof of the characters? I show this as I was taught, or as the eye of the soul sees it. First I show a man in a drunken frenzy, completely helpless, as drawn on the tablets or cut with tempered "steel." The cup he held was drawn larger, and the grapes very big. These praised the strength of wine, which could overpower a man.
A sickness of the heart was well explained. Though man might smile to cover his intense but hidden grief, there ever rose before his eyes the image of his bleeding heart inscribed upon the tablet, or the scroll, in pictured form significant; thus was all conveyed to mind of they who sought to read.
The writing explained a sickness of the heart well. A man might smile to cover his intense but hidden grief. Yet the image of his bleeding heart always rose before the eyes, inscribed on the tablet or the scroll in a meaningful picture. In this way everything was conveyed to the minds of those who tried to read it.