The Duel

The gods, lying beside their nectar on ’Lympus and peeping over the edge of the cliff, perceive a difference in cities.

リンパスの自慢の酒を傍らに横たわり、断崖の縁から覗き込んでいた神々が、街々に見て取った違いがひとつ。

Although it would seem that to their vision towns must appear as large or small anthills without special characteristics, yet it is not so.

もっとも、神々の目にかかれば、街とてこれといった特徴もない大小の蟻塚にしか見えぬはずなのだが——そうではない。

Studying the habits of ants from so great a height should be but a mild diversion when coupled with the soft drink that mythology tells us is their only solace.

これほどの高みから蟻の習性を眺めるのも、神話が唯一の慰めと語る清涼飲料と併せてなら、せいぜいの気晴らしにすぎまい。