Anatoly Dombrovsky. Pericles (№ 402594)

I stood in front of your Zeus for several hours, Phidias. I saw an emerald shimmer in the depths of his eyes - this is a way of thinking, I saw blue reflections on his lips - so the words of heavenly purity shine from his lips. I saw sparks of gold and green on his eyebrows and in his beard - as if they had our sweet earthly dew on them at sunrise. On his hands are red streaks of pure gold: living blood flows there. His cheeks are white, and this whiteness is from extreme concern for the fate of the human world. He does not sit, leaning back on the back of the throne, like arrogant tyrants or tired kings sit - he leaned forward slightly, he listens to those standing in front of him, he is full of sympathy. Behind him is blackness for uncreated stars. However, one star in the distance has already been born, it flickers faintly - this is the hope that your Zeus gives to everyone who stands before him with silent prayer.