"Английский язык с Дж. Р. Р. Толкиеном. Хоббит" - читать интересную книгу автораChapter 8. Flies and Spiders (Глава 8. Мухи и пауки)They walked in single file (они шли гуськом «чтобы нести /на себе/ больше чем несколько почерневших листков»; ivy ['aIvI] lichen ['laIkqn, 'lItS(q)n] glimmer ['glImq] They walked in single file. The entrance to the path was like a sort of arch leading into a gloomy tunnel made by two great trees that leant together, too old and strangled with ivy and hung with lichen to bear more than a few blackened leaves. The path itself was narrow and wound in and out among the trunks. Soon the light at the gate was like a little bright hole far behind, and the quiet was so deep that their feet seemed to thump along while all the trees leaned over them and listened. As their eyes became used to the dimness they could see a little way to either side in a sort of darkened green glimmer. Occasionally a slender beam of sun (время от времени тонкий лучик света) that had the luck to slip in (которому повезло: «который имел удачу/счастье» прокрасться; «были» там и странные звуки), grunts (ворчание), scufflings (шарканье), and hurryings (и звуки торопливых перемещений; /от паутины/), or for what other reason (или по какой другой причине) they could not guess (они не могли догадаться). inquisitive [In'kwIzItIv] scuffle ['skAf(q)l] extraordinarily [Ik'strO: d(q)n(q)rIlI] Occasionally a slender beam of sun that had the luck to slip in through some opening in the leaves far above, and still more luck in not being caught in the tangled boughs and matted twigs beneath, stabbed down thin and bright before them. But this was seldom, and it soon ceased altogether. There were black squirrels in the wood. As Bilbo’s sharp inquisitive eyes got used to seeing things he could catch glimpses of them whisking off the path and scuttling behind tree-trunks. There were queer noises too, grunts, scufflings, and hurryings in the undergrowth, and among the leaves that lay piled endlessly thick in places on the forest-floor; but what made the noises he could not see. The nastiest things they saw were the cobwebs: dark dense cobwebs with threads extraordinarily thick, often stretched from tree to tree, or tangled in the lower branches on either side of them. There were none stretched across the path, but whether because some magic kept it clear, or for what other reason they could not guess. It was not long before they grew to hate the forest (уже очень вскоре: «не прошло много времени до того, как» они стали ненавидеть этот лес; /на то, что он/ когда-нибудь закончится). But they had to go on and on (но они должны были идти вперед и вперед), long after they were sick for a sight of the sun (спустя много времени после того, как им ужасно хотелось увидеть солнышко; задыхаться: «что он подвергался медленному удушению»; heartily ['hQ: tIlI] everlastingly [evq'lQ: stINlI] suffocate ['sAfqkeIt] It was not long before they grew to hate the forest as heartily as they had hated the tunnels of the goblins, and it seemed to offer even less hope of any ending. But they had to go on and on, long after they were sick for a sight of the sun and of the sky, and longed for the feel of wind on their faces. There was no movement of air down under the forest-roof, and it was everlastingly still and dark and stuffy. Even the dwarves felt it, who were used to tunnelling, and lived at times for long whiles without the light of the sun; but the hobbit, who liked holes to make a house in but not to spend summer days in, felt he was being slowly suffocated. The nights were the worst. It then became pitch-dark — not what you call pitch-dark, but really pitch; so black that you really could see nothing. Bilbo tried flapping his hand in front of his nose, but he could not see it at all. Well, perhaps it is not true to say (ну уж, возможно, было бы неправдой сказать) that they could see nothing (что они ничего не могли видеть): they could see eyes (они могли видеть глаза). They slept all closely huddled together (они спали, близко располагаясь друг к другу; дежурили; huddle [hAdl] disappear [dIsq'pIq] terrify ['terIfaI] bulbous ['bAlbqs] Well, perhaps it is not true to say that they could see nothing: they could see eyes. They slept all closely huddled together, and took it in turns to watch; and when it was Bilbo’s turn he would see gleams in the darkness round them, and sometimes pairs of yellow or red or green eyes would stare at him from a little distance, and then slowly fade and disappear and slowly shine out again in another place. And sometimes they would gleam down from the branches just above him; and that was most terrifying. But the eyes that he liked the least were horrible pale bulbous sort of eyes. “Insect eyes (глаза насекомого)” he thought (думал он; «разжигать» бивачные костры ночью), but they soon gave that up (но вскоре они бросили это/отказались от этого). It seemed to bring hundreds and hundreds of eyes (это, казалось, привлекает сотни и сотни глаз) all round them (со всех сторон вокруг них), though the creatures (хотя существа), whatever they were (кто бы они ни были), were careful never to let their bodies show (были осторожны и никогда не показывали свои туловища; /крыльями/ и жужжащих вокруг их ушей). They could not stand that (они не могли этого выносить; insect ['Insekt] watch-fire ['wOtSfaIq] whirr [wq:] “Insect eyes” he thought, “not animal eyes, only they are much too big.” Although it was not yet very cold, they tried lighting watch-fires at night, but they soon gave that up. It seemed to bring hundreds and hundreds of eyes all round them, though the creatures, whatever they were, were careful never to let their bodies show in the little flicker of the flames. Worse still it brought thousands of dark-grey and black moths, some nearly as big as your hand, flapping and whirring round their ears. They could not stand that, nor the huge bats, black as a top-hat, either; so they gave up fires and sat at night and dozed in the enormous uncanny darkness. All this went on for what seemed to the hobbit ages upon ages; and he was always hungry, for they were extremely careful with their provisions. Even so, as days followed days, and still the forest seemed just the same, they began to get anxious. The food would not last for ever: it was in fact already beginning to get low. They tried shooting at the squirrels (они пытались стрелять в белок), and they wasted many arrows (и они растратили /впустую/ много стрел) before they managed (до того, как им удалось) to bring one down on the path (подстрелить одну /белку/ на тропу; «проточной водой»). It flowed fast and strong (поток был быстрым и сильным; the way (как раз через их путь), and it was black (и он был черным), or looked it in the gloom (или выглядел черным во мраке). It was well that Beorn had warned them against it (хорошо, что Беорн предупредил их о нем), or they would have drunk from it (а то они бы выпили из него), whatever its colour (несмотря на его цвет; “There is a boat against the far bank (у дальнего берега есть лодка)! Now why couldn’t it have been this side (ну так почему же она не могла бы быть у этого берега)!” “How far away do you think it is (насколько она далека, как вы думаете)?” asked Thorin (спросил Торин), for by now they knew (так как к этому времени они знали) Bilbo had the sharpest eyes among them (что у Бильбо самое острое среди них всех зрение). arrow ['xrqV] kneeling ['ni: lIN] squirrel ['skwIrql] They tried shooting at the squirrels, and they wasted many arrows before they managed to bring one down on the path. But when they roasted it, it proved horrible to taste, and they shot no more squirrels. They were thirsty too, for they had none too much water, and in all the time they had seen neither spring nor stream. This was their state when one day they found their path blocked by a running water. It flowed fast and strong but not very wide right across the way, and it was black, or looked it in the gloom. It was well that Beorn had warned them against it, or they would have drunk from it, whatever its colour, and filled some of their emptied skins at its bank. As it was they only thought of how to cross it without wetting themselves in its water. There had been a bridge of wood across, but it had rotted and fallen leaving only the broken posts near the bank. Bilbo kneeling on the brink and peering forward cried: “There is a boat against the far bank! Now why couldn’t it have been this side!” “How far away do you think it is?” asked Thorin, for by now they knew Bilbo had the sharpest eyes among them. “Not at all far (вовсе не далеко). I shouldn’t think above twelve yards ( “Twelve yards (двенадцать ярдов)! I should have thought it was thirty at least (я бы подумал, что по крайней мере в тридцати), but my eyes don’t see as well (но мои глаза не видят так хорошо) as they used a hundred years ago (как они видели сотню лет назад; “Can any of you throw a rope (кто-нибудь из вас может бросить веревку)?” “What’s the good of that (какая в этом польза)? The boat is sure to be tied up (лодка наверняка привязана), even if we could hook it (даже если мы и сумеем подцепить ее; “I don’t believe it is tied (я не думаю, что она привязана),” said Bilbo, “though of course I can’t be sure in this light (хотя, конечно, я не могу быть уверен при таком свете); but it looks to me (но мне кажется) as if it was just drawn up on the bank (что она только вытянута на берег; “Dori is the strongest (Дори самый сильный), but Fili is the youngest (но Фили — самый молодой) and still has the best sight (и все еще обладает наилучшим зрением),” said Thorin. “Come here Fili (подойди сюда, Фили), and see if you can see the boat Mr. Baggins is talking about (и посмотри, видишь ли ты лодку, о которой говорит мистер Бэггинс).” yard [jQ: d] youngest ['jANgIst] tied [taId] “Not at all far. I shouldn’t think above twelve yards.” “Twelve yards! I should have thought it was thirty at least, but my eyes don’t see as well as they used a hundred years ago. Still twelve yards is as good as a mile. We can’t jump it, and we daren’t try to wade or swim.” “Can any of you throw a rope?” “What’s the good of that? The boat is sure to be tied up, even if we could hook it, which I doubt.” “I don’t believe it is tied,” said Bilbo, “though of course I can’t be sure in this light; but it looks to me as if it was just drawn up on the bank, which is low just there where the path goes down into the water.” “Dori is the strongest, but Fili is the youngest and still has the best sight,” said Thorin. “Come here Fili, and see if you can see the boat Mr. Baggins is talking about.” Fili thought he could (Фили показалось, что он может); so when he had stared a long while (и тогда, пока он пристально смотрел долгое время) to get an idea of the direction (чтобы хоть как-то представить направление; the large iron hooks (они закрепили один из больших железных крюков) they had used for catching their packs (которые они использовали для прикрепления своих тюков; Splash it fell in the water (с всплеском она упала в воду)! “Not far enough (недолет: «недостаточно далеко»)!” said Bilbo who was peering forward (сказал Бильбо, который вглядывался вперед). “A couple of feet (пара футов) and you would have dropped it on to the boat (и вы попали бы ей: «и вы уронили бы ее» в лодку; Fili picked up the hook (Фили поднял крюк) when he had drawn it back (когда он притянул веревку назад), rather doubtfully all the same (тем не менее несколько с сомнением). This time (на этот раз) he threw it (он бросил ее; “Steady (осторожно; Fili hauled the rope back slowly (Фили медленно потащил веревку назад), and after a while Bilbo said (и через какое-то время Бильбо сказал): fasten ['fQ: s(q)n] balance ['bxlqns] doubtful ['daVtf(q)l] Fili thought he could; so when he had stared a long while to get an idea of the direction, the others brought him a rope. They had several with them, and on the end of the longest they fastened one of the large iron hooks they had used for catching their packs to the straps about their shoulders. Fili took this in his hand, balanced it for a moment, and then flung it across the stream. Splash it fell in the water! “Not far enough!” said Bilbo who was peering forward. “A couple of feet and you would have dropped it on to the boat. Try again. I don’t suppose the magic is strong enough to hurt you, if you just touch a bit of wet rope.” Fili picked up the hook when he had drawn it back, rather doubtfully all the same. This time he threw it with greater strength. “Steady!” said Bilbo, “you have thrown it right into the wood on the other side now. Draw it back gently.” Fili hauled the rope back slowly, and after a while Bilbo said: “Carefully (осторожно)! It is lying on the boat (она лежит на лодке); let’s hope the hook will catch (давайте надеяться, что крючок зацепится).” It did (он зацепился). The rope went taut (веревка туго натянулась; “Help (на помощь)!” he shouted (закричал он), and Balin was just in time (и Балин оказался как раз во время) to seize the boat (чтобы схватить лодочку) before it floated off down the current (пока она не унеслась /вниз/ по течению; “It was tied after all (она была привязана все же),” said he (сказал он), looking at the snapped painter (смотря на оборванный носовой фалинь; “Who’ll cross first (кто первый переправится)?” asked Bilbo (спросил Бильбо). “I shall (я),” said Thorin, “and you will come with me (и вы пойдете со мной), and Fili and Balin (и Фили и Балин). That’s as many as the boat will hold at a time (именно столько /людей/ лодка выдержит за один раз; “I’m always last (я всегда последний) and I don’t like it (и мне это не нравится),” said Bombur. “It’s somebody else’s turn today (сегодня это чья— нибудь еще очередь /быть последним/).” carefully ['keqf(q)lI] caught [kO: t] dangling ['dxNglIN] “Carefully! It is lying on the boat; let’s hope the hook will catch.” It did. The rope went taut, and Fili pulled in vain. Kili came to his help, and then Oin and Gloin. They tugged and tugged, and suddenly they all fell over on their backs. Bilbo was on the look-out, however, caught the rope, and with a piece of stick fended off the little black boat as it came rushing across the stream. “Help!” he shouted, and Balin was just in time to seize the boat before it floated off down the current. “It was tied after all,” said he, looking at the snapped painter that was still dangling from it. “That was a good pull, my lads; and a good job that our rope was the stronger.” “Who’ll cross first?” asked Bilbo. “I shall,” said Thorin, “and you will come with me, and Fili and Balin. That’s as many as the boat will hold at a time. After that Kili and Oin and Gloin and Dori; next Ori and Nori, Bifur and Bofur; and last Dwalin and Bombur.” “I’m always last and I don’t like it,” said Bombur. “It’s somebody else’s turn today.” “You should not be so fat (тебе не следовало бы быть таким толстым). As you are (а так как ты /толстый/), you must be with the last (и поэтому ты должен быть в последней) and lightest boatload (и самой легкой лодке; “There aren’t any oars (весел-то нет). How are you going to push the boat back to the far bank (как вы собираетесь толкать лодку назад, к дальнему берегу)?” asked the hobbit (спросил хоббит). “Give me another length of rope (дайте мне другую веревку; “Get in now (теперь забирайтесь),” said Fili, “and one of you haul on the rope (и один из вас пусть тянет за веревку) that is stuck in a tree on the other side (что застряла в дереве на другой стороне). One of the others (кто-то другой: «один из остальных») must keep hold of the hook (должен удерживать тот крюк) we used at first (что мы использовали в первый раз), and when we are safe on the other side (и когда мы будем благополучно на другой стороне; boatload ['bqVtlqVd] branch [brQ: ntS] first [fq: st] “You should not be so fat. As you are, you must be with the last and lightest boatload. Don’t start grumbling against orders, or something bad will happen to you.” “There aren’t any oars. How are you going to push the boat back to the far bank?” asked the hobbit. “Give me another length of rope and another hook,” said Fili, and when they had got it ready, he cast it into the darkness ahead and as high as he could throw it. Since it did not fall down again, they saw that it must have stuck in the branches. “Get in now,” said Fili, “and one of you haul on the rope that is stuck in a tree on the other side. One of the others must keep hold of the hook we used at first, and when we are safe on the other side he can hook it on, and you can draw the boat back.” In this way (таким способом) they were all soon on the far bank safe (они все вскоре благополучно были на дальнем берегу) across the enchanted stream (по другую сторону заколдованной реки). Dwalin had just scrambled out (Двалин как раз выкарабкался) with the coiled rope on his arm (со свернутой веревкой на руке; готов был последовать за ним), when something bad did happen (когда действительно случилось нечто плохое; enchanted [In'tSQ: ntId] grumbling ['grAmblIN] hooves [hu: vz] guardian ['gQ: dIqn] In this way they were all soon on the far bank safe across the enchanted stream. Dwalin had just scrambled out with the coiled rope on his arm, and Bombur(still grumbling)was getting ready to follow, when something bad did happen. There was a flying sound of hooves on the path ahead. Out of the gloom came suddenly the shape of a flying deer. It charged into the dwarves and bowled them over, then gathered itself for a leap. High it sprang and cleared the water with a mighty jump. But it did not reach the other side in safety. Thorin was the only one who had kept his feet and his wits. As soon as they had landed he had bent his bow and fitted an arrow in case any hidden guardian of the boat appeared. Now he sent a swift and sure shot into the leaping beast. As it reached the further bank it stumbled. The shadows swallowed it up (тени поглотили его), but they heard the sound of hooves (но они услышали звук копыт) quickly falter (быстро спотыкавшихся) and then go still (и затем затихших; “Bombur has fallen in (Бомбур упал в /воду/)! Bombur is drowning (Бомбур тонет)!” he cried (закричал он). It was only too true (к сожалению, это было действительно так). Bombur had only one foot on the land (Бомбур только одной ногой стоял на земле: «имел только одну ногу на земле») when the hart bore down on him (когда олень-самец налетел на него; thrusting the boat away from the bank (оттолкнул лодку от берега; They could still see his hood above the water (они все еще могли видеть его капюшон над водой) when they ran to the bank (когда они побежали к берегу). swallow ['swOlqV] venison ['venIs(q)n] drowning ['draVnIN] The shadows swallowed it up, but they heard the sound of hooves quickly falter and then go still. Before they could shout in praise of the shot, however, a dreadful wail from Bilbo put all thoughts of venison out of their minds. “Bombur has fallen in! Bombur is drowning!” he cried. It was only too true. Bombur had only one foot on the land when the hart bore down on him, and sprang over him. He had stumbled, thrusting the boat away from the bank, and then toppled back into the dark water, his hands slipping off the slimy roots at the edge, while the boat span slowly off and disappeared. They could still see his hood above the water when they ran to the bank. Quickly they flung a rope with a hook towards him (быстро они бросили веревку с крюком по направлению к нему). His hand caught it (он поймал ее рукой = «его рука поймала ее»), and they pulled him to the shore (и они вытянули его на берег). He was drenched from hair to boots, of course (он промок: «был промокшим» насквозь от волос до ботинок, конечно), but that was not the worst (но это было не самое плохое). When they laid him on the bank (когда они положили его на берегу) he was already fast asleep (он уже крепко спал), with one hand clutching the rope so tight (одной рукой сжимая веревку так крепко) that they could not get it from his grasp (что они не могли достать ее из его руки; drench [drentS] curse [kq: s] impossible [Im'pOsqb(q)l] Quickly they flung a rope with a hook towards him. His hand caught it, and they pulled him to the shore. He was drenched from hair to boots, of course, but that was not the worst. When they laid him on the bank he was already fast asleep, with one hand clutching the rope so tight that they could not get it from his grasp; and fast asleep he remained in spite of all they could do. They were still standing over him, cursing their ill luck, and Bombur’s clumsiness, and lamenting the loss of the boat which made it impossible for them to go back and look for the hart, when they became aware of the dim blowing of horns in the wood and the sound as of dogs baying far off. Then they all fell silent; and as they sat it seemed they could hear the noise of a great hunt going by to the north of the path, though they saw no sign of it. There they sat for a long while and did not dare to make a move. Bombur slept on with a smile on his fat face, as if he no longer cared for all the troubles that vexed them. Suddenly on the path ahead (внезапно впереди на тропе) appeared some white deer (показалось несколько белых оленей), a hind and fawns as snowy white (самка благородного оленя и молодые олени, такие белоснежные; “Stop (стойте)! Stop (перестаньте)!” shouted Thorin (закричал Торин); but it was too late (но было слишком поздно), the excited dwarves had wasted their last arrows (взбудораженные гномы растратили впустую свои последние стрелы), and now the bows that Beorn had given them were useless (и теперь луки, которые им подарил Беорн, стали бесполезными). They were a gloomy party that night (той ночью он представляли собой угрюмую компанию), and the gloom gathered still deeper on them (и их уныние все более усиливалось: «углублялось»; deer [dIq] hind [haInd] fawn [fO: n] hart [hQ: t] Suddenly on the path ahead appeared some white deer, a hind and fawns as snowy white as the hart had been dark. They glimmered in the shadows. Before Thorin could cry out three of the dwarves had leaped to their feet and loosed off arrows from their bows. None seemed to find their mark. The deer turned and vanished in the trees as silently as they had come, and in vain the dwarves shot their arrows after them. “Stop! stop!” shouted Thorin; but it was too late, the excited dwarves had wasted their last arrows, and now the bows that Beorn had given them were useless. They were a gloomy party that night, and the gloom gathered still deeper on them in the following days. They had crossed the enchanted stream; but beyond it the path seemed to straggle on just as before, and in the forest they could see no change. Yet if they had known more about it (и в тоже время, если бы они знали о нем /лесе/ больше) and considered the meaning of the hunt (и задумались бы о значении этой охоты) and the white deer that had appeared upon their path (и о белых оленях, что появились на их тропе), they would have known (они бы знали) that they were at last drawing towards the eastern edge (что они наконец приближались к восточному краю), and would soon have come (и вскоре бы уже пришли), if they could have kept up their courage and their hope (если бы смогли не падать духом и надеяться: «поддержать свое мужество и надежду»; But they did not know this (но они не знали этого), and they were burdened with the heavy body of Bombur (и они были обременены тяжелым телом Бомбура; /пришлось нести/, принимая эту изнурительную обязанность по очереди, вчетвером = несли его вчетвером, по очереди; with pale leaves (и травы с бледными листьями) and unpleasant smell (и неприятным запахом). courage ['kArIdZ] burden ['bq: dn] funguses ['fANgqsIz] Yet if they had known more about it and considered the meaning of the hunt and the white deer that had appeared upon their path, they would have known that they were at last drawing towards the eastern edge, and would soon have come, if they could have kept up their courage and their hope, to thinner trees and places where the sunlight came again. But they did not know this, and they were burdened with the heavy body of Bombur, which they had to carry along with them as best they could, taking the wearisome task in turns of four each while the others shared their packs. If these had not become all too light in the last few days, they would never have managed it; but a slumbering and smiling Bombur was a poor exchange for packs filled with food however heavy. In a few days a time came when there was practically nothing left to eat or to drink. Nothing wholesome could they see growing in the woods, only funguses and herbs with pale leaves and unpleasant smell. About four days from the enchanted stream (спустя где-то четыре дня от заколдованной реки) they came to a part (они пришли в такую часть /леса/) where most of the trees were beeches (где большинство деревьев были буковыми). They were at first inclined (поначалу они были склонны) to be cheered by the change (обрадоваться перемене; сторону от тропы). Yet the light only showed them endless lines (и все же свет лишь показывал им бесконечные ряды; beech [bi: tS] undergrowth ['AndqgrqVT] greenish ['gri: nIS] About four days from the enchanted stream they came to a part where most of the trees were beeches. They were at first inclined to be cheered by the change, for here there was no undergrowth and the shadow was not so deep. There was a greenish light about them, and in places they could see some distance to either side of the path. Yet the light only showed them endless lines of straight grey trunks like the pillars of some huge twilight hall. There was a breath of air and a noise of wind, but it had a sad sound. A few leaves came rustling down to remind them that outside autumn was coming on. Their feet ruffled among the dead leaves (их ноги поднимали засохшие листья; /ветром/ из-за насыпей тропы; (иногда также слышалось пение вдали). The laughter was the laughter of fair voices (смех был смехом /более/ тонких голосов) not of goblins (не /голосов/ гоблинов), and the singing was beautiful (и пение было прекрасным), but it sounded eerie and strange (но оно звучало жутко и странно), and they were not comforted (и они не были успокоены /этим/), rather they hurried on (скорее они торопились дальше) from those parts (из тех краев) with what strength they had left (со всей силой, что у них осталась). Two days later (два дня спустя) they found their path going downwards (они обнаружили, что их тропа идет вниз) and before long (и вскоре) they were in a valley (они оказались в долине) filled almost entirely (почти что полностью заполненной) with a mighty growth of oaks (могучей порослью дубов; “Is there no end to this accursed forest (нет, что ли, конца у этого ненавистного леса; ruffle ['rAf(q)l] eerie ['I(q)rI] comfort ['kAmfqt] accursed [q'kq: sId] Their feet ruffled among the dead leaves of countless other autumns that drifted over the banks of the path from the deep red carpets of the forest. Still Bombur slept and they grew very weary. At times they heard disquieting laughter. Sometimes there was singing in the distance too. The laughter was the laughter of fair voices not of goblins, and the singing was beautiful, but it sounded eerie and strange, and they were not comforted, rather they hurried on from those parts with what strength they had left. Two days later they found their path going downwards and before long they were in a valley filled almost entirely with a mighty growth of oaks. “Is there no end to this accursed forest?” said Thorin. “Somebody must climb a tree and see if he can get his head above the roof and have a look round. The only way is to choose the tallest tree that overhangs the path.” Of course “somebody” meant Bilbo (конечно, «кто-то» означало /что это должен быть/ Бильбо). They chose him (они выбрали его; удерживался /от падения/: «подхватывал себя» как раз вовремя); and at last (и наконец), after a dreadful struggle in a difficult place (после ужасного напряжения в трудном месте; somebody ['sAmbqdI] climber ['klaImq] enormous [I'nO: mqs] Of course “somebody” meant Bilbo. They chose him because to be of any use the climber must get his head above the topmost leaves, and so he must be light enough for the highest and slenderest branches to bear him. Poor Mr. Baggins had never had much practice in climbing trees, but they hoisted him up into the lowest branches of an enormous oak that grew right out into the path, and up he had to go as best he could. He pushed his way through the tangled twigs with many a slap in the eye; he was greened and grimed from the old bark of the greater boughs; more than once he slipped and caught himself just in time; and at last, after a dreadful struggle in a difficult place where there seemed to be no convenient branches at all, he got near the top. All the time he was wondering whether there were spiders in the tree, and how he was going to get down again (except by falling). In the end (в конце концов) he poked his head (он просунул свою голову; the butterflies (и они охотились за бабочками; всех направлениях). His heart (его душа), that had been lightened by the sight of the sun (которая обрадовалась от вида солнца; spider ['spaIdq] butterfly ['bAtqflaI] purple ['pq: p(q)l] emperor ['emp(q)rq] In the end he poked his head above the roof of leaves, and then he found spiders all right. But they were only small ones of ordinary size, and they were after the butterflies. Bilbo’s eyes were nearly blinded by the light. He could hear the dwarves shouting up at him from far below, but he could not answer, only hold on and blink. The sun was shining brilliantly, and it was a long while before he could bear it. When he could, he saw all round him a sea of dark green, ruffled here and there by the breeze; and there were everywhere hundreds of butterflies. I expect they were a kind of ‘purple emperor,’ a butterfly that loves the tops of oak-woods, but these were not purple at all, they were a dark dark velvety black without any markings to be seen. He looked at the ‘black emperors’ for a long time, and enjoyed the feel of the breeze in his hair and on his face; but at length the cries of the dwarves, who were now simply stamping with impatience down below, reminded him of his real business. It was no good. Gaze as much as he might, he could see no end to the trees and the leaves in any direction. His heart, that had been lightened by the sight of the sun and the feel of the wind, sank back into his toes: there was no food to go back to down below. Actually, as I have told you (на самом деле, как я уже сказал вам), they were not far off the edge of the forest (они находились невдалеке от края леса); and if Bilbo had had the sense to see it (и если бы у Бильбо хватило бы ума понять то), the tree that he had climbed (что дерево, на которое он взобрался), though it was tall in itself (хотя оно само по себе было высоким), was standing near the bottom of a wide valley (стояло в самом низу широкой долины; valley ['vxlI] despair [dIs'peq] miserable ['mIz(q)rqb(q)l] Actually, as I have told you, they were not far off the edge of the forest; and if Bilbo had had the sense to see it, the tree that he had climbed, though it was tall in itself, was standing near the bottom of a wide valley, so that from its top the trees seemed to swell up all round like the edges of a great bowl, and he could not expect to see how far the forest lasted. Still he did not see this, and he climbed down full of despair. He got to the bottom again at last scratched, hot, and miserable, and he could not see anything in the gloom below when he got there. His report soon made the others as miserable as he was. “The forest goes on (лес продолжается) for ever and ever and ever in all directions (бесконечно во все и все и все стороны: «навсегда и навсегда и навсегда во всех направлениях»)! Whatever shall we do (что же нам делать)? And what is the use (и что польза в том) of sending a hobbit (что /мы/ послали хоббита)!” they cried (закричали они), as if it was his fault (словно это была его вина; That night they ate (в ту ночь они съели) their very last scraps and crumbs of food (свои самые последние остатки и крошки от еды; под огромными дубами) and waiting for a chance drip (и ждать, когда случайная капля) to fall on your tongue (упадет на язык). The only scrap of comfort there was (единственная толика утешения; «чувствовал себя таким голодным»); for he had forgotten everything (так как он забыл все) that had happened (что случилось) since they started their journey (с тех самых пор, когда они начали свое путешествие) that May morning long ago (тем майским утром, /уже/ так давно). The last thing that he remembered (последнее, что он помнил) was the party at the hobbit’s house (было собрание в доме хоббита), and they had great difficulty (и им было очень трудно: «они имели большую трудность») in making him believe (заставить его поверить) their tale of all the many adventures (в их историю обо всех тех многочисленных приключениях) they had had since (в которых они побывали: «они имели» с тех пор). tuppence ['tApqns] gnawingly ['nO: INlI] parchingly ['pQ: tSINlI] adventure [qd'ventSq] “The forest goes on for ever and ever and ever in all directions! Whatever shall we do? And what is the use of sending a hobbit!” they cried, as if it was his fault. They did not care tuppence about the butterflies, and were only made more angry when he told them of the beautiful breeze, which they were too heavy to climb up and feel. That night they ate their very last scraps and crumbs of food; and next morning when they woke the first thing they noticed was that they were still gnawingly hungry, and the next thing was that it was raining and that here and there the drip of it was dropping heavily on the forest floor. That only reminded them that they were also parchingly thirsty, without doing anything to relieve them: you cannot quench a terrible thirst by standing under giant oaks and waiting for a chance drip to fall on your tongue. The only scrap of comfort there was, came unexpectedly from Bombur. He woke up suddenly and sat up scratching his head. He could not make out where he was at all, nor why he felt so hungry; for he had forgotten everything that had happened since they started their journey that May morning long ago. The last thing that he remembered was the party at the hobbit’s house, and they had great difficulty in making him believe their tale of all the many adventures they had had since. When he heard (когда он услышал) that there was nothing to eat (что нечего есть), he sat down and wept (он сел и заплакал; “Why ever did I wake up (зачем я вообще проснулся)!” he cried (плакал он). “I was having such beautiful dreams (мне снились такие прекрасные сны; там для еды и питья).” “You need not try (тебе и пытаться не нужно),” said Thorin. “In fact if you can’t talk about something else (действительно, если ты не можешь говорить о чем-то еще), you had better be silent (тебе бы лучше помолчать: «быть безмолвным»; wobbly ['wOblI] woodland ['wVdlqnd] describe [dIs'kraIb] When he heard that there was nothing to eat, he sat down and wept, for he felt very weak and wobbly in the legs. “Why ever did I wake up!” he cried. “I was having such beautiful dreams. I dreamed I was walking in a forest rather like this one, only lit with torches on the trees and lamps swinging from the branches and fires burning on the ground; and there was a great feast going on, going on for ever. A woodland king was there with a crown of leaves, and there was a merry singing, and I could not count or describe the things there were to eat and drink.” “You need not try,” said Thorin. “In fact if you can’t talk about something else, you had better be silent. We are quite annoyed enough with you as it is. If you hadn’t waked up, we should have left you to your idiotic dreams in the forest; you are no joke to carry even after weeks of short commons.” There was nothing now to be done (теперь ничего уже не оставалось делать) but to tighten the belts round their empty stomachs (как потуже затянуть пояса вокруг /их/ пустых желудков/животов; “No you don’t (нет, ты не /ляжешь/)!” they said (сказали они). “Let your legs take their share (пусть и твои ноги примут участие: «возьмут свою долю»), we have carried you far enough (мы несли тебя достаточно далеко).” All the same (тем не менее) he suddenly refused to go a step further (он внезапно отказался сделать: «пройти» хоть еще один шаг вперед: «дальше») and flung himself on the ground (и бросился на землю; “Go on, if you must (идите дальше, нужно, значит нужно: «если вы должны»),” he said (сказал он). “I’m just going to lie here (я просто собираюсь лежать здесь) and sleep (и спать) and dream of food (и мечтать о пище), if I can’t get it any other way (если я не могу добыть ее никаким другим способом). I hope I never wake up again (я надеюсь, что я никогда больше не проснусь).” stomach ['stAmqk] starvation [stQ:'veIS(q)n] wailing ['weIlIN] There was nothing now to be done but to tighten the belts round their empty stomachs, and hoist their empty sacks and packs, and trudge along the track without any great hope of ever getting to the end before they lay down and died of starvation. This they did all that day, going very slowly and wearily, while Bombur kept on wailing that his legs would not carry him and that he wanted to lie down and sleep. “No you don’t!” they said. “Let your legs take their share, we have carried you far enough.” All the same he suddenly refused to go a step further and flung himself on the ground. “Go on, if you must,” he said. “I’m just going to lie here and sleep and dream of food, if I can’t get it any other way. I hope I never wake up again.” At that very moment (в этот самый момент) Balin, who was a little way ahead (Балин, который находился немного впереди), called out (закричал): “What was that (что это было)? I thought I saw a twinkle of light in the forest (мне показалось, я вижу огонек: «мигание света» в лесу; plain (оказалось ясным) that torches and fires were burning under the trees (что факелы и костры горели под деревьями), but a good way off their track (но достаточно далеко: «в изрядном пути» от их тропы). twinkle ['twINk(q)l] longish ['lONIS] burning ['bq: nIN] At that very moment Balin, who was a little way ahead, called out: “What was that? I thought I saw a twinkle of light in the forest.” They all looked, and a longish way off, it seemed, they saw a red twinkle in the dark; then another and another sprang out beside it. Even Bombur got up, and they hurried along then, not caring if it was trolls or goblins. The light was in front of them and to the left of the path, and when at last they had drawn level with it, it seemed plain that torches and fires were burning under the trees, but a good way off their track. “It looks (кажется: «это выглядит /как/») as if my dreams were coming true (словно мои сны осуществляются; “A feast would be no good (пир будет бесполезным), if we never got back alive from it (если мы /никогда/ не вернемся живыми с него),” said Thorin. “But without a feast (но без пира) we shan’t remain alive much longer anyway (мы не останемся намного дольше в живых в любом случае),” said Bombur, and Bilbo heartily agreed with him (и Бильбо от всей души согласился с ним). They argued about it backwards and forwards (они тщательно спорили об этом; feast [fi: st] argue ['Q: gju: ] anxious ['xNkSqs] “It looks as if my dreams were coming true,” gasped Bombur puffing up behind. He wanted to rush straight off into the wood after the lights. But the others remembered only too well the warnings of the wizard and of Beorn. “A feast would be no good, if we never got back alive from it,” said Thorin. “But without a feast we shan’t remain alive much longer anyway,” said Bombur, and Bilbo heartily agreed with him. They argued about it backwards and forwards for a long while, until they agreed at length to send out a couple of spies, to creep near the lights and find out more about them. But then they could not agree on who was to be sent: no one seemed anxious to run the chance of being lost and never finding his friends again. In the end, in spite of warnings, hunger decided them, because Bombur kept on describing all the good things that were being eaten, according to his dream, in the woodland feast; so they all left the path and plunged into the forest together. After a good deal of creeping and crawling (после продолжительного ползания и подкрадывания; The smell of the roast meats was so enchanting (запах жаренного мяса был таким чарующим) that, without waiting to consult one another (что, даже не подождав и не посоветовавшись друг с другом), every one of them got up (каждый из них поднялся) and scrambled forwards into the ring (и бросился вперед, в кольцо; попросить немного пищи; merrily ['merIlI] consult [kqn'sAlt] magic ['mxdZIk] After a good deal of creeping and crawling they peered round the trunks and looked into a clearing where some trees had been felled and the ground levelled. There were many people there, elvish-looking folk, all dressed in green and brown and sitting on sawn rings of the felled trees in a great circle. There was a fire in their midst and there were torches fastened to some of the trees round about; but most splendid sight of all: they were eating and drinking and laughing merrily. The smell of the roast meats was so enchanting that, without waiting to consult one another, every one of them got up and scrambled forwards into the ring with the one idea of begging for some food. No sooner had the first stepped into the clearing than all the lights went out as if by magic. Somebody kicked the fire (кто-то пнул ногой костер) and it went up in rockets of glittering sparks (как он взвился ракетами сверкающих искр) and vanished (и исчез). They were lost in a completely lightless dark (они потерялись в совершенно лишенной света тьме) and they could not even find one another (и они даже не могли найти друг друга), not for a long time at any rate (по крайней мере, долгое время). After blundering frantically in the gloom (после того, как /они/ двигались ощупью неистово во мраке; managed to gather themselves in a bundle (наконец они смогли собраться вместе; There was nothing for it (ничего не оставалось) but to settle down for the night where they were (как остановиться на ночь /там/ где они были; “The lights are coming out again over there (снова появляются огни, вон там), and there are more than ever of them (и сейчас их больше, чем когда-либо).” rocket ['rOkIt] blundering ['blAnd(q)rIN] separate ['sepqreIt] drowsy ['draVzI] Somebody kicked the fire and it went up in rockets of glittering sparks and vanished. They were lost in a completely lightless dark and they could not even find one another, not for a long time at any rate. After blundering frantically in the gloom, falling over logs, bumping crash into trees, and shouting and calling till they must have waked everything in the forest for miles, at last they managed to gather themselves in a bundle and count themselves by touch. By that time they had, of course, quite forgotten in what direction the path lay, and they were all hopelessly lost, at least till morning. There was nothing for it but to settle down for the night where they were; they did not even dare to search on the ground for scraps of food for fear of becoming separated again. But they had not been lying long, and Bilbo was only just getting drowsy, when Dori, whose turn it was to watch first, said in a loud whisper: “The lights are coming out again over there, and there are more than ever of them.” Up they all jumped (они все вскочили; “No rushing forward this time (никаких рывков вперед на этот раз)! No one is to stir from hiding (никто не шевелится из укрытия) till I say (пока я не скажу). I shall send Mr. Baggins alone first (я отправлю мистера Бэггинса одного поначалу) to talk to them (поговорить с ними). They won’t be frightened of him (они его не испугаются; When they got to the edge of the circle of lights (когда они добрались до края круга огней) they pushed Bilbo suddenly from behind (они внезапно толкнули Бильбо в спину: «сзади»). Before he had time to slip on his ring (прежде, чем он успел: «имел время» надеть свое кольцо), he stumbled forward (он, споткнувшись, шагнул вперед; /для них/ трудно собраться вместе в первый раз: «до этого»), it was far worse this time (/то/ было еще хуже на этот раз). And they simply could not find the hobbit (и они просто не могли найти хоббита). Every time they counted themselves (каждый раз, когда они пересчитывались: «пересчитывали себя») it only made thirteen (получалось только тринадцать). They shouted and called (они кричали и звали): “Bilbo Baggins! Hobbit! You dratted hobbit (вы, проклятый хоббит)! Hi (эй)! hobbit, confusticate you, where are you (хоббит, черт вас дери, где вы)?” and other things of that sort (и другие подобные вещи), but there was no answer (но ответа не было). score [skO: ] frightened ['fraItnd] circle ['sq: k(q)l] Up they all jumped. There, sure enough, not far away were scores of twinkling lights, and they heard the voices and the laughter quite plainly. They crept slowly towards them, in a single line, each touching the back of the one in front. When they got near Thorin said: “No rushing forward this time! No one is to stir from hiding till I say. I shall send Mr. Baggins alone first to talk to them. They won’t be frightened of him — (‘What about me of them?’ thought Bilbo) — and any way I hope they won’t do anything nasty to him.” When they got to the edge of the circle of lights they pushed Bilbo suddenly from behind. Before he had time to slip on his ring, he stumbled forward into the full blaze of the fire and torches. It was no good. Out went all the lights again and complete darkness fell. If it had been difficult collecting themselves before, it was far worse this time. And they simply could not find the hobbit. Every time they counted themselves it only made thirteen. They shouted and called: “Bilbo Baggins! Hobbit! You dratted hobbit! Hi! hobbit, confusticate you, where are you?” and other things of that sort, but there was no answer. They were just giving up hope (они уже начали терять надежду), when Dori stumbled across him (когда Дори споткнулся о него) by sheer luck (по абсолютной/одной лишь удаче; /споткнувшись/ о что-то, что, как он думал, было бревном), and he found it was the hobbit (и он обнаружил, что это был хоббит) curled up fast asleep (свернувшийся калачиком и крепко спящий). It took a deal of shaking to wake him (долгое время ушло на то, чтобы растрясти его и разбудить: «потребовалось немало тряски, чтобы разбудить его»; “I was having such a lovely dream (мне снился такой прекрасный сон),” he grumbled (проворчал он), “all about having a most gorgeous dinner (и все о том, что /я/ вкушал самый великолепный обед).” “Good heavens (Боже мой: «добрые небеса»)! he has gone like Bombur (он свихнулся, как Бомбур),” they said (сказали они). “Don’t tell us about dreams (не говорите нам о снах). Dream-dinners aren’t any good (от обедов во сне никакой пользы), and we can’t share them (и мы не можем их разделить; “They are the best (они — это самое лучшее) I am likely to get (что я, скорее всего, получу) in this beastly place (в этом ужасном месте; попытался вернуться ко сну) and find his dream again (и снова найти свой сон). But that was not the last of the lights in the forest (но это были не последние огни в лесу). Later when the night must have been getting old (позже, когда ночь уже близилась к концу: «должно быть, уже становилась старой»), Kili who was watching then (Кили, который тогда был в дозоре), came and roused them all again (подошел и поднял их всех снова; “There’s a regular blaze of light begun (зажглось: «началось» /море/ постоянных огней; sheer [SIq] gorgeous ['gO: dZqs] beastly ['bi: stlI] harp [hQ: p] They were just giving up hope, when Dori stumbled across him by sheer luck. In the dark he fell over what he thought was a log, and he found it was the hobbit curled up fast asleep. It took a deal of shaking to wake him, and when he was awake he was not pleased at all. “I was having such a lovely dream,” he grumbled, “all about having a most gorgeous dinner.” “Good heavens! he has gone like Bombur,” they said. “Don’t tell us about dreams. Dream-dinners aren’t any good, and we can’t share them.” “They are the best I am likely to get in this beastly place,” he muttered, as he lay down beside the dwarves and tried to go back to sleep and find his dream again. But that was not the last of the lights in the forest. Later when the night must have been getting old, Kili who was watching then, came and roused them all again, saying: “There’s a regular blaze of light begun not far away — hundreds of torches and many fires must have been lit suddenly and by magic. And hark to the singing and the harps!” After lying and listening for a while (после того, как они лежали и слушали какое-то время), they found they could not resist the desire (они обнаружили, что они не могут противостоять желанию; desire [dI'zaIq] disastrous [dI'zQ: strqs] magnificent [mxg'nIfIs(q)nt] After lying and listening for a while, they found they could not resist the desire to go nearer and try once more to get help. Up they got again; and this time the result was disastrous. The feast that they now saw was greater and more magnificent than before; and at the head of a long line of feasters sat a woodland king with a crown of leaves upon his golden hair, very much as Bombur had described the figure in his dream. The elvish folk were passing bowls from hand to hand and across the fires, and some were harping and many were singing. Their gloaming hair was twined with flowers; green and white gems glinted on their collars and their belts; and their faces and their songs were filled with mirth. Loud and clear and fair were those songs, and out stepped Thorin into their midst. Dead silence fell in the middle of a word (мертвая тишина наступила прямо посредине слова; “Dori, Nori, Ori, Oin, Gloin, Fili, Kili, Bombur, Bifur, Bofur, Dwalin, Balin, Thorin Oakenshield (Дори, Нори, Ори, Ойн, Глойн, Фили, Кили, Бомбур, Бифур, Бофур, Двалин, Балин, Торин Оукеншильд),” while people he could not see or feel (в то время, как люди, которых он не мог видеть или чувствовать) were doing the same all round him (делали тоже самое со всех сторон вокруг него) (with an occasional “Bilbo!” thrown in (временами вставлялось: «/было/ брошено внутрь» и «Бильбо»; «на дальнем расстоянии»), all noise at last died right away (весь шум наконец окончательно замер; silence ['saIlqns] clamour ['klxmq] occasional [q'keIZ(q)nql] Dead silence fell in the middle of a word. Out went all light. The fires leaped up in black smokes. Ashes and cinders were in the eyes of the dwarves, and the wood was filled again with their clamour and their cries. Bilbo found himself running round and round (as he thought) and calling and calling: “Dori, Nori, Ori, Oin, Gloin, Fili, Kili, Bombur, Bifur, Bofur, Dwalin, Balin, Thorin Oakenshield,” while people he could not see or feel were doing the same all round him (with an occasional “Bilbo!” thrown in). But the cries of the others got steadily further and fainter, and though after a while it seemed to him they changed to yells and cries for help in the far distance, all noise at last died right away, and he was left alone in complete silence and darkness. That was one of his most miserable moments. But he soon made up his mind (но он вскоре решил; already [O: l'redI] revive [rI'vaIv] wrapped [rxpt] But he soon made up his mind that it was no good trying to do anything till day came with some little light, and quite useless to go blundering about tiring himself out with no hope of any breakfast to revive him. So he sat himself down with his back to a tree, and not for the last time fell to thinking of his far-distant hobbit-hole with its beautiful pantries. He was deep in thoughts of bacon and eggs and toast and butter when he felt something touch him. Something like a strong sticky string was against his left hand, and when he tried to move he found that his legs were already wrapped in the same stuff, so that when he got up he fell over. Then the great spider (затем огромный паук), who had been busy tying him up (который трудолюбиво связывал его: «который был занят тем, что связывал его»; loose (и у него было время, чтобы освободить свои ноги; busy ['bIzI] abominable [q'bOmInqb(q)l] thread [Tred] Then the great spider, who had been busy tying him up while he dozed, came from behind him and came at him. He could only see the things’s eyes, but he could feel its hairy legs as it struggled to wind its abominable threads round and round him. It was lucky that he had come to his senses in time. Soon he would not have been able to move at all. As it was, he had a desperate fight before he got free. He beat the creature off with his hands — it was trying to poison him to keep him quiet, as small spiders do to flies — until he remembered his sword and drew it out. Then the spider jumped back, and he had time to cut his legs loose. After that it was his turn to attack. The spider evidently was not used to things that carried such stings at their sides, or it would have hurried away quicker. Bilbo came at it before it could disappear and struck it with his sword right in the eyes. Then it went mad and leaped and danced and flung out its legs in horrible jerks, until he killed it with another stroke; and then he fell down and remembered nothing more for a long while. There was the usual dim grey light (обычный сумрачный серый свет) of the forest-day about him (лесного дня был вокруг него) when he came to his senses (когда он пришел в себя). The spider lay dead beside him (паук лежал мертвым рядом с ним), and his sword-blade was stained black (и клинок его меча был запачкан черным; “I will give you a name (я дам тебе имя),” he said to it (сказал он ему), “and I shall call you There was the usual dim grey light of the forest-day about him when he came to his senses. The spider lay dead beside him, and his sword-blade was stained black. Somehow the killing of the giant spider, all alone by himself in the dark without the help of the wizard or the dwarves or of anyone else, made a great difference to Mr. Baggins. He felt a different person, and much fiercer and bolder in spite of an empty stomach, as he wiped his sword on the grass and put it back into its sheath. “I will give you a name,” he said to it, “and I shall call you Bilbo felt (Бильбо чувствовал) that it was unsafe to shout (что было небезопасно кричать; “O! why did we not remember Beorn’s advice, and Gandalf’s (о, почему же мы забыли: «не помнили» совет Беорна и Гэндальфа)!” he lamented (сокрушался он; In the end (наконец) he made as good a guess as he could (он угадал настолько хорошо: «он сделал настолько хорошее предположение», насколько мог»; unsafe [An'seIf] lamented [lq'mentId] guess [ges] Bilbo felt that it was unsafe to shout, and he stood a long while wondering in what direction the path lay, and in what direction he should go first to look for the dwarves. “O! why did we not remember Beorn’s advice, and Gandalf’s!” he lamented. “What a mess we are in now! We! I only wish it was In the end he made as good a guess as he could at the direction from which the cries for help had come in the night — and by luck(he was born with a good share of it)he guessed more or less right, as you will see. Having made up his mind he crept along as cleverly as he could. Hobbits are clever at quietness, especially in woods, as I have already told you; also Bilbo had slipped on his ring before he started. That is why the spiders neither saw nor heard him coming. He had picked his way stealthily (он двигался: «выбирал свой путь» украдкой/осторожно; Suddenly he saw, too (внезапно он увидел также), that there were spiders huge and horrible (что огромнейшие и ужасные пауки) sitting in the branches above him (сидели в ветвях над ним), and ring or no ring (и, кольцо-то кольцом: «кольцо или без кольца») he trembled with fear (он задрожал от страха) lest they should discover him (как бы они не обнаружили его). Standing behind a tree (стоя за деревом) he watched a group of them for some time (он наблюдал за группой их = пауков некоторое время), and then in the silence and stillness of the wood (и затем, в тишине и спокойствии леса) he realized (он понял) that these loathsome creatures (что эти отвратительнейшие создания) were speaking one to another (разговаривали друг с другом: «один с другим»). Their voices were a sort of thin creaking and hissing (их голоса были подобны тонким поскрипываниям и шипениям; “It was a sharp struggle (это была жестокая борьба; “Aye (да), they’ll make fine eating (из них выйдет отличная еда; “Don’t hang ‘em too long (не /держите/ их подвешенными слишком долго),” said a third (сказал третий). “They’re not as fat as they might be (они не такие толстые, как могли бы быть). Been feeding none too well of late (их не очень-то хорошо кормили в последнее время; “Kill’em, I say (убейте их, знаете ли: «я говорю»),” hissed a fourth (прошипел четвертый); “kill ‘em now (убейте их сейчас) and hang ‘em dead for a while (и повесьте их /уже/ мертвыми на некоторое время).” “They’re dead now (они мертвы сейчас), I’ll warrant (я ручаюсь; stealthily [stelTIlI] spider web ['spaIdqweb] tangled ['txNg(q)ld] loathsome ['lqVTs(q)m] juice [dZu: s] warrant ['wOrqnt] He had picked his way stealthily ‘for some distance, when he noticed a place of dense black shadow ahead of him black even for that forest, like a patch of midnight that had never been cleared away. As he drew nearer, he saw that it was made by spider-webs one behind and over and tangled with another. Suddenly he saw, too, that there were spiders huge and horrible sitting in the branches above him, and ring or no ring he trembled with fear lest they should discover him. Standing behind a tree he watched a group of them for some time, and then in the silence and stillness of the wood he realised that these loathsome creatures were speaking one to another. Their voices were a sort of thin creaking and hissing, but he could make out many of the words that they said. They were talking about the dwarves! “It was a sharp struggle, but worth it,” said one. “What nasty thick skins they have to be sure, but I’ll wager there is good juice inside.” “Aye, they’ll make fine eating, when they’ve hung a bit,” said another. “Don’t hang ‘em too long,” said a third. “They’re not as fat as they might be. Been feeding none too well of late, I should guess.” “Kill’em, I say,” hissed a fourth; “kill ‘em now and hang ‘em dead for a while.” “They’re dead now, I’ll warrant,” said the first. “That they are not (а вот и нет: «такие они нет»). I saw one a-struggling just now (я видел, как один ворочался, прямо сейчас; (после прекрасного сна). I’ll show you (я покажу вам).” With that (сказав это: «с этим») one of the fat spiders (один из толстых пауков) ran along a rope (побежал по веревке), till it came to a dozen bundles (пока не дошел до двенадцати свертков; «здесь и там») the tip of a nose (кончик носа; To the fattest of these bundles the spider went (паук направился: «шел» к самому толстому из этих свертков) — “It is poor old Bombur (это бедный старый Бомбур), I’ll bet (бьюсь об заклад = я уверен),” thought Bilbo (подумал Бильбо) — and nipped hard at the nose (и /паук/ сильно ущипнул за нос) that stuck out (что высовывался из /свертка/). There was a muffled yelp inside (внутри раздался сдавленный визг; bundle ['bAndl] muffled ['mAf(q)ld] flabby ['flxbI] enraged [In'reIdZd] “That they are not. I saw one a-struggling just now. Just coming round again, I should say, after a beautiful sleep. I’ll show you.” With that one of the fat spiders ran along a rope, till it came to a dozen bundles hanging in a row from a high branch. Bilbo was horrified, now that he noticed them for the first time dangling in the shadows, to see a dwarvish foot sticking out of the bottoms of some of the bundles, or here and there the tip of a nose, or a bit of beard or of a hood. To the fattest of these bundles the spider went — “It is poor old Bombur, I’ll bet,” thought Bilbo — and nipped hard at the nose that stuck out. There was a muffled yelp inside, and a toe shot up and kicked the spider straight and hard. There was life in Bombur still. There was a noise like the kicking of a flabby football, and the enraged spider fell off the branch, only catching itself with its own thread just in time. The others laughed (другие рассмеялись). “You were quite right (ты был совершенно прав),” they said, “the meat’s alive and kicking (мясо живое и лягается)!” “I’ll soon put an end to that (я скоро положу этому конец),” hissed the angry spider (прошипел сердитый паук) climbing back onto the branch (взбираясь назад на ветку). Bilbo saw that the moment had come (Бильбо понял: «увидел», что настал момент) when he must do something (когда он должен что-то сделать). He could not get up at the brutes (он не мог добраться до этих тварей; камней) in what appeared to be a now dry little watercourse (там, где было, видимо, теперь высохшее небольшое русло; As a boy (когда он был мальчишкой) he used to practise throwing stones at things (он, бывало, практиковался в метании камней по предметам; «прицеливающей и метательной разновидности»; had time to tell you about (и о которых у меня не было времени рассказать вам). There is no time now (и сейчас времени нет). While he was picking up stones (пока он подбирал камни), the spider had reached Bombur (паук подобрался к Бомбуру), and soon he would have been dead (и скоро тот был бы уже мертв). At that moment Bilbo threw (в тот самый момент Бильбо бросил /камень/). The stone struck the spider (камень ударил паука) plunk on the head (точно по голове; thread [Tred] cosily ['kqVzIlI] practise ['prxktIs] grown-up ['grqVnAp] quoit [k(w)OIt] The others laughed. “You were quite right,” they said, “the meat’s alive and kicking!” “I’ll soon put an end to that,” hissed the angry spider climbing back onto the branch. Bilbo saw that the moment had come when he must do something. He could not get up at the brutes and he had nothing to shoot with; but looking about he saw that in this place there were many stones lying in what appeared to be a now dry little watercourse. Bilbo was a pretty fair shot with a stone, and it did not take him long to find a nice smooth egg-shaped one that fitted his hand cosily. As a boy he used to practise throwing stones at things, until rabbits and squirrels, and even birds, got out of his way as quick as lightning if they saw him stoop; and even grownup he had still spent a deal of his time at quoits, dart-throwing, shooting at the wand, bowls, ninepins and other quiet games of the aiming and throwing sort — indeed he could do lots of things, besides blowing smoke-rings, asking riddles and cooking, that I haven’t had time to tell you about. There is no time now. While he was picking up stones, the spider had reached Bombur, and soon he would have been dead. At that moment Bilbo threw. The stone struck the spider plunk on the head, and it dropped senseless off the tree, flop to the ground, with all its legs curled up. The next stone went whizzing (следующий камень пролетел со свистом; «могли сделать хорошее предположение») at the direction (о том направлении) from which the stones were coming (из которого летели: «появлялись» камни). As quick as lightning (с быстротой молнии) they came running and swinging towards the hobbit (они бежали и прыгали /раскачиваясь/ по направлению к хоббиту; them curious, excited and angry all at once (чтобы удивить, раззадорить и рассердить их одновременно: «чтобы сделать их любопытными, взбудораженными и сердитыми»; commotion [kq'mqVS(q)n] colony ['kOlqnI] snare [sneq] The next stone went whizzing through a big web, snapping its cords, and taking off the spider sitting in the middle of it, whack, dead. After that there was a deal of commotion in the spider-colony, and they forgot the dwarves for a bit, I can tell you. They could not see Bilbo, but they could make a good guess at the direction from which the stones were coming. As quick as lightning they came running and swinging towards the hobbit, flinging out their long threads in all directions, till the air seemed full of waving snares. Bilbo, however, soon slipped away to a different place. The idea came to him to lead the furious spiders further and further away from the dwarves, if he could; to make them curious, excited and angry all at once. When about fifty had gone off to the place where he had stood before, he threw some more stones at these, and at others that had stopped behind; then dancing among the trees he began to sing a song to infuriate them and bring them all after him, and also to let the dwarves hear his voice. This is what he sang (вот что он пел; Old fat spider spinning in a tree (старый толстый паук, плетущий /паутину/ на дереве; Old fat spider can’t see me (старый толстый паук не видит: «не может видеть» меня)! Attercop (Брюзгливый Паучище; Won’t you stop (не прекратишь ли ты), Stop your spinning and look for me (не прекратишь свое плетение и не поищешь ли меня)! Old Tomnoddy (старый Простак), all big body (/весь/ огромное тело), Old Tomnoddy can’t spy me (старый Простак не может выследить меня)! Attercop (Брюзгливый Паучище)! Attercop (Брюзгливый Паучище)! Down you drop (вниз упади)! You’ll never catch me (ты никогда не поймаешь меня) up your tree (/сидя/ высоко на дереве)! sang [sxN] tom-noddy ["tOm'nOdI] spy [spaI] This is what he sang: Old fat spider spinning in a tree! Old fat spider can’t see me! Attercop! Attercop! Won’t you stop, Stop your spinning and look for me! Old Tomnoddy, all big body, Old Tomnoddy can’t spy me! Attercop! Attercop! Down you drop! You’ll never catch me up your tree! Not very good perhaps (возможно не очень хорошая /песня/), but then you must remember (но вы же должны помнить) that he had to make it up himself (что ему пришлось ее придумывать самому), on the spur of a very awkward moment (экспромтом, в очень опасный момент; «никакой паук никогда не любил»; удрал на новое место; awkward ['O: kwqd] frightfully ['fraItf(q)lI] scuttle ['skAtl] Not very good perhaps, but then you must remember that he had to make it up himself, on the spur of a very awkward moment. It did what he wanted any way. As he sang he threw some more stones and stamped. Practically all the spiders in the place came after him: some dropped to the ground, others raced along the branches, swung from tree to tree, or cast new ropes across the dark spaces. They made for his noise far quicker than he had expected. They were frightfully angry. Quite apart from the stones no spider has ever liked being called Attercop, and Tomnoddy of course is insulting to anybody. Off Bilbo scuttled to a fresh place, but several of the spiders had run now to different points in the glade where they lived, and were busy spinning webs across all the spaces between the tree-stems. Very soon the hobbit would be caught (очень скоро хоббит был бы пойман) in a thick fence of them (толстым забором из них = из паутины) all round him (со всех сторон вокруг него) — that at least was the spiders’ idea (такова, по крайней мере, была мысль пауков). Standing now in the middle of the hunting and spinning insects (теперь, стоя в самой середине рыскающих и плетущих паутину насекомых; Lazy Lob and crazy Cob (Ленивый Тупица и сумасшедший Паук) are weaving webs to wind me (плетут паутины чтобы обвить меня; I am far more sweet than other meat (я гораздо вкуснее, чем любое другое мясо; but still they cannot find me (но все же они не могут найти меня)! Here am I (вот и я), naughty little fly (озорная маленькая мушка); you are fat and lazy (а вы толстые и ленивые). You cannot trap me (вы не можете поймать меня в ловушку; in your cobwebs crazy (в ваши сумасшедшие паутины). With that he turned (на этом: «с этим» он повернулся) and found that the last space (и обнаружил, что последнее пространство) between two tall trees (между двумя высокими деревьями) had been closed with a web (было закрыто паутиной) — but luckily not a proper web (но, к счастью, не настоящей /частой/ паутиной; lazy ['leIzI] lob [lOb] crazy ['kreIzI] naughty ['nO: tI] Very soon the hobbit would be caught in a thick fence of them all round him — that at least was the spiders’ idea. Standing now in the middle of the hunting and spinning insects Bilbo plucked up his courage and began a new song: Lazy Lob and crazy Cob are weaving webs to wind me. I am far more sweet than other meat, but still they cannot find me! Here am I, naughty little fly; you are fat and lazy. You cannot trap me, though you try, in your cobwebs crazy. With that he turned and found that the last space between two tall trees had been closed with a web — but luckily not a proper web, only great strands of double-thick spider-rope run hastily backwards and forwards from trunk to trunk. Out came his little’ sword. He slashed the threads to pieces and went off singing. The spiders saw the sword (пауки видели меч), though I don’t suppose they knew what it was (хотя, не думаю, что они знали, что это такое), and at once the whole lot of them (и в немедленно вся их толпа; Then quieter than a mouse he stole back (затем, тише мыши, он прокрался назад; sword [sO: d] froth [frOT] disgusted [dIs'gAstId] The spiders saw the sword, though I don’t suppose they knew what it was, and at once the whole lot of them came hurrying after the hobbit along the ground and the branches, hairy legs waving, nippers and spinners snapping, eyes popping, full of froth and rage. They followed him into the forest until Bilbo had gone as far as he dared. Then quieter than a mouse he stole back. He had precious little time, he knew, before the spiders were disgusted and came back to their trees where the dwarves were hung. In the meanwhile he had to rescue them. The worst part of the job was getting up on to the long branch where the bundles were dangling. I don’t suppose he would have managed it (я не думаю, что ему бы это удалось), if a spider had not luckily left a rope hanging down (если бы паук, к счастью, не оставил веревку свисающей вниз); with its help (с ее помощью), though it stuck to his hand and hurt him (хотя она липла к его руке и причиняла ему боль; /паук/ почувствовал его /Бэггинса/ Жало) and rolled off the branch dead (и скатился с ветви замертво). Bilbo’s next job (следующим заданием Бильбо; scrambled ["skrxmbld] hurry ['hArI] fruit [fru: t] I don’t suppose he would have managed it, if a spider had not luckily left a rope hanging down; with its help, though it stuck to his hand and hurt him, he scrambled up — only to meet an old slow wicked fat-bodied spider who had remained behind to guard the prisoners, and had been busy pinching them to see which was the juiciest to eat. It had thought of starting the feast while the others were away, but Mr. Baggins was in a hurry, and before the spider knew what was happening it felt his Sting and rolled off the branch dead. Bilbo’s next job was to loose a dwarf. What was he to do? If he cut the string which hung him up, the wretched dwarf would tumble thump to the ground a good way below. Wriggling along the branch (which made all the poor dwarves dance and dangle like ripe fruit) he reached the first bundle. “Fili or Kili (/это/ Фили или Кили),” he thought (подумал он) by the tip of a blue hood (судя по кончику синего капюшона) sticking out at the top (торчавшего сверху). “Most likely Fili (скорее всего Фили),” he thought by the tip of a long nose (подумал он, судя по кончику длинного носа) poking out of the winding threads (высовывавшегося из намотанных нитей; kick and a struggle (с пинком и борьбой) most of Fili emerged (появилась большая часть Фили; /выставлен наружу/, так что он мог дышать: «с только его носом через который дышать»). It took him ages (у него ушла уйма времени) to get the beastly stuff out of his eyes and eyebrows (чтобы выскрести это гадкое вещество из своих глаз и бровей), and as for his beard (а уж что до его бороды), he had to cut most of it off (ему пришлось отрезать большую ее часть). Well, between them they started to haul up (итак, вдвоем: «между ними» они начали подтягивать; breathe at all (некоторым вообще едва удавалось дышать) (long noses are sometimes useful you see (длинные носы, как вы видите, иногда полезны)), and some had been more poisoned (и некоторые были в большей степени /чем другие/ отравлены). emerge [I'mq: dZ] although [O: l'DqV] eyebrow ['aIbraV] “Fili or Kili,” he thought by the tip of a blue hood sticking out at the top. “Most likely Fili,” he thought by the tip of a long nose poking out of the winding threads. He managed by leaning over to cut most of the strong sticky threads that bound him round, and then, sure enough, with a kick and a struggle most of Fili emerged. I am afraid Bilbo actually laughed at the sight of him jerking his stiff arms and legs as he danced on the spider-string under his armpits, just like one of those funny toys bobbing on a wire. Somehow or other Fili was got on to the branch, and then he did his best to help the hobbit, although he was feeling very sick and ill from spider-poison, and from hanging most of the night and the next day wound round and round with only his nose to breathe through. It took him ages to get the beastly stuff out of his eyes and eyebrows, and as for his beard, he had to cut most of it off. Well, between them they started to haul up first one dwarf and then another and slash them free. None of them were better off than Fili, and some of them were worse. Some had hardly been able to breathe at all (long noses are sometimes useful you see), and some had been more poisoned. In this way they rescued Kili, Bifur, Bofur, Dori and Nori (таким образом они спасли Кили, Бифура, Бофура, Дори и Нори). Poor old Bombur was so exhausted (бедный старый Бомбур был так измучен; ground (и шлепнулся на землю; «и лежал там»). But there were still five dwarves (но оставались все еще пять гномов) hanging at the end of the branch (висящих в самом конце ветки) when the spiders began to come back (когда пауки начали возвращаться), more full of rage than ever (еще более разъяренные: «полные ярости» чем когда бы то ни было). Bilbo immediately went to the end of the branch (Бильбо немедленно пошел к /другому/ концу ветви) nearest the tree-trunk (ближайшему к стволу дерева) and kept back those (и сдерживал: «держал позади» тех) that crawled up (что ползли вверх). He had taken off his ring (он снял свое кольцо) when he rescued Fili (когда он спасал Фили) and forgotten to put it on again (и забыл надеть его снова), so now they all began to splutter and hiss (так что теперь они все начали брызгать /слюной/ и шипеть; “Now we see you (теперь мы видим тебя), you nasty little creature (ты противное маленькое создание)! We will eat you (мы съедим тебя) and leave your bones and skin (и оставим твои кости да кожу) hanging on a tree (висеть на дереве). Ugh (тьфу)! he’s got a sting has he (а у него жало, так)? Well, we’ll get him all the same (ну, мы добудем его, в любом случае), and then we’ll hang him (и затем мы подвесим его) head downwards for a day or two (головой вниз на денек или два).” rescue ['reskju: ] exhausted [Ig'zO: stId] downwards ['daVnwqdz] In this way they rescued Kili, Bifur, Bofur, Dori and Nori. Poor old Bombur was so exhausted — he was the fattest and had been constantly pinched and poked — that he just rolled off the branch and fell plop on to the ground, fortunately on to leaves, and lay there. But there were still five dwarves hanging at the end of the branch when the spiders began to come back, more full of rage than ever. Bilbo immediately went to the end of the branch nearest the tree-trunk and kept back those that crawled up. He had taken off his ring when he rescued Fili and forgotten to put it on again, so now they all began to splutter and hiss: “Now we see you, you nasty little creature! We will eat you and leave your bones and skin hanging on a tree. Ugh! he’s got a sting has he? Well, we’ll get him all the same, and then we’ll hang him head downwards for a day or two.” While this was going on (пока все это продолжалось), the other dwarves were working at the rest of the captives (остальные гномы занимались оставшимися пленниками; /мечом/ пауков) in front of him (перед собой). They quickly gave way (они быстро расступились; “Come down (спускайтесь)! Come down!” he shouted to the dwarves on the branch (закричал он гномам на ветви). “Don’t stay up there (не оставайтесь там, наверху) and be netted (а то вас поймают сетью; captive ['kxptIv] unawares ["Anq'weqz] neighboring ['neIb(q)rIN] While this was going on, the other dwarves were working at the rest of the captives, and cutting at the threads with their knives. Soon all would be free, though it was not clear what would happen after that. The spiders had caught them pretty easily the night before, but that had been unawares and in the dark. This time there looked like being a horrible battle. Suddenly Bilbo noticed that some of the spiders had gathered round old Bombur on the floor, and had tied him up again and were dragging him away. He gave a shout and slashed at the spiders in front of him. They quickly gave way, and he scrambled and fell down the tree right into the middle of those on the ground. His little sword was something new in the way of stings for them. How it darted to and fro! It shone with delight as he stabbed at them. Half a dozen were killed before the rest drew off and left Bombur to Bilbo. “Come down! Come down!” he shouted to the dwarves on the branch. “Don’t stay up there and be netted!” For he saw spiders swarming up all the neighboring trees, and crawling along the boughs above the heads of the dwarves. Down the dwarves scrambled (гномы слезли) or jumped (или спрыгнули) or dropped (или упали), eleven all in a heap (одиннадцать, все в кучу), most of them very shaky (многие из них были очень слабы; Again and again the spiders were beaten off (снова и снова пауки были отогнаны; soon they would all be overpowered (и вскоре все они будут сломлены; goggle ['gOg(q)l] overpower ["qVvq'paVq] secret ['si: krIt] Down the dwarves scrambled or jumped or dropped, eleven all in a heap, most of them very shaky and little use on their legs. There they were at last, twelve of them counting poor old Bombur, who was being propped up on either side by his cousin Bifur, and his brother Bofur; and Bilbo was dancing about and waving his Sting; and hundreds of angry spiders were goggling at them all round and about and above. It looked pretty hopeless. Then the battle began. Some of the dwarves had knives, and some had sticks, and all of them could get at stones; and Bilbo had his elvish dagger. Again and again the spiders were beaten off, and many of them were killed. But it could not go on for long. Bilbo was nearly tired out; only four of the dwarves were able to stand firmly, and soon they would all be overpowered like weary flies. Already the spiders were beginning to weave their webs all round them again from tree to tree. In the end Bilbo could think of no plan except to let the dwarves into the secret of his ring. He was rather sorry about it, but it could not be helped. “I am going to disappear (я сейчас исчезну; It was difficult to get them to understand (трудно было заставить их понять; disappear ["dIsq'pIq] opposite ['OpqzIt] throwing ['TrqVIN] “I am going to disappear,” he said. “I shall draw the spiders off, if I can; and you must keep together and make in the opposite direction. To the left there, that is more or less the way towards the place where we last saw the elf-fires.” It was difficult to get them to understand, what with their dizzy heads, and the shouts, and the whacking of sticks and the throwing of stones; but at last Bilbo felt he could delay no longer — the spiders were drawing their circle ever closer. He suddenly slipped on his ring, and to the great astonishment of the dwarves he vanished. Soon there came the sound (вскоре раздались звуки) of “Lazy Lob” ("Старый Простак") and “Attercop” (и "Брюзгливый Паучище") from among the trees (между деревьями) away on the right (вдалеке, справа). That upset the spiders greatly (это сильно раздосадовало пауков; Hoping desperately (отчаянно надеясь) that Bilbo had not been caught (что Бильбо не был схвачен) the dwarves went on (гномы продолжили путь). Not fast enough, though (хотя и не очень быстро). They were sick and weary (они были изможденными и измотанными; were in the trees above them (и уже несколько пауков были в деревьях над ними) and throwing down their long clinging threads (и бросали вниз свои длинные липкие нити; knot [nOt] through [Tru: ] clinging ['klININ] Soon there came the sound of “Lazy Lob” and “Attercop” from among the trees away on the right. That upset the spiders greatly. They stopped advancing, and some, went off in the direction of the voice. “Attercop” made them so angry that they lost their wits. Then Balin, who had grasped Bilbo’s plan better than the rest, led an attack. The dwarves huddled together in a knot, and sending a shower of stones they drove at the spiders on the left, and burst through the ring. Away behind them now the shouting and singing suddenly stopped. Hoping desperately that Bilbo had not been caught the dwarves went on. Not fast enough, though. They were sick and weary, and they could not go much better than a hobble and a wobble, though many of the spiders were close behind. Every now and then they had to turn and fight the creatures that were overtaking them and already some spiders were in the trees above them and throwing down their long clinging threads. Things were looking pretty bad again (дела опять выглядели довольно плохими), when suddenly Bilbo appeared (когда внезапно появился Бильбо) and charged into the astonished spiders (и набросился на удивленных пауков) unexpectedly from the side (неожиданно со стороны). “Go on (продолжайте идти)! Go on!” he shouted (кричал он). “I will do the stinging (я буду колоть их; And he did (и он так и сделал). He darted backwards and forwards (он бросался назад и вперед), slashing at spider-threads (рассекая паучьи нити), hacking at their legs (рубя их лапки; stabbing at their fat bodies (и нанося /колющие/ удары по их толстым телам) if they came too near (если они подходили слишком близко). The spiders swelled with rage (пауки были переполнены яростью; «часы»; charge [tSQ: dZ] splutter ['splAtq] disappointed ["dIsq'pOIntId] Things were looking pretty bad again, when suddenly Bilbo appeared and charged into the astonished spiders unexpectedly from the side. “Go on! Go on!” he shouted. “I will do the stinging!” And he did. He darted backwards and forwards, slashing at spider-threads, hacking at their legs, and stabbing at their fat bodies if they came too near. The spiders swelled with rage, and spluttered and frothed, and hissed out horrible curses; but they had become mortally afraid of Sting, and dared not come very near, now that it had come back. So curse as they would, their prey moved slowly but steadily away. It was a most terrible business, and seemed to take hours. But at last, just when Bilbo felt that he could not lift his hand for a single stroke more, the spiders suddenly gave it up, and followed them no more, but went back disappointed to their dark colony. The dwarves then noticed (тогда гномы заметили) that they had come to the edge of a ring (что они подошли к краю кольца/круга) where elf-fires had been (где накануне были костры эльфов). Whether it was one of those (было ли это одно из тех /колец/) they had seen the night before (что они видели предыдущей ночью), they could not tell (они не могли бы сказать). But it seemed (но казалось) that some good magic (что некое доброе волшебство) lingered in such spots (задерживалось в подобных местах; There they lay for some time (они полежали некоторое время), puffing and panting (пыхтя и тяжело дыша) but very soon (но очень скоро) they began to ask questions (они начали задавать вопросы). They had to have the whole vanishing business carefully explained (им нужно было, чтобы им было тщательно объяснено все это дело с исчезновением; (с /упоминанием/ кольца в положенном месте). But after a time (но, спустя какое-то время) the light began to fail (надвигались сумерки: «свет начал слабеть»), and then other questions were asked (и тогда были заданы другие вопросы). Where were they (где они), and where was their path (и где была их тропа), and where was there any food (и было ли там хоть немного пищи), and what were they going to do next (и что они будут делать дальше; linger ['lIngq] threatening ['TretnIN] explain [Ik'spleIn] The dwarves then noticed that they had come to the edge of a ring where elf— fires had been. Whether it was one of those they had seen the night before, they could not tell. But it seemed that some good magic lingered in such spots, which the spiders did not like. At any rate here the light was greener, and the boughs less thick and threatening, and they had a chance to rest and draw breath. There they lay for some time, puffing and panting but very soon they began to ask questions. They had to have the whole vanishing business carefully explained, and the finding of the ring interested them so much that for a while they forgot their own troubles. Balin in particular insisted on having the Gollum story, riddles and all, told all over again, with the ring in its proper place. But after a time the light began to fail, and then other questions were asked. Where were they, and where was their path, and where was there any food, and what were they going to do next? These questions they asked over and over again, and it was from little Bilbo that they seemed to expect to get the answers. From which you can see (из этого вы можете понять) that they had changed their opinion of Mr. Baggins very much (что они очень сильно изменили свое мнение о мистере Бэггинсе; «большое» уважение) (as Gandalf had said they would (как Гэндальф и сказал, что они будут /его испытывать/)). Indeed they really expected him (и на самом деле, они действительно ожидали от него) to think of some wonderful plan (чтобы он придумал какой-нибудь удивительный план) for helping them (чтобы помочь им), and were not merely grumbling (а не просто ворчали). They knew only too well (они слишком уж хорошо знали) that they would soon all have been dead (что вскоре они все бы были мертвы), if it had not been for the hobbit (если бы не хоббит); and they thanked him many times (и они благодарили его много раз; нем, в конце-то концов), though he would have felt a lot bolder still (хотя бы он почувствовал себя гораздо более храбрым), if there had been anything to eat (если бы было чего-нибудь поесть). respect [rI'spekt] possession [pq'zeS(q)n] adventurer [qd'ventS(q)rq] From which you can see that they had changed their opinion of Mr. Baggins very much, and had begun to have a great respect for him (as Gandalf had said they would). Indeed they really expected him to think of some wonderful plan for helping them, and were not merely grumbling. They knew only too well that they would soon all have been dead, if it had not been for the hobbit; and they thanked him many times. Some of them even got up and bowed right to the ground before him, though they fell over with the effort, and could not get on their legs again for some time. Knowing the truth about the vanishing did not lessen their opinion of Bilbo at all; for they saw that he had some wits, as well as luck and a magic ring — and all three are very useful possessions. In fact they praised him so much that Bilbo began to feel there really was something of a bold adventurer about himself after all, though he would have felt a lot bolder still, if there had been anything to eat. But there was nothing, nothing at all (но /поесть/ было нечего, совершенно нечего); and none of them were fit (и никто из них не был готов; “Gollum (Голлум)! Well I’m blest (не может быть/черт меня побери; And then he fell asleep (и затем и он уснул; All of a sudden (совершенно внезапно) Dwalin opened an eye (Двалин открыл один глаз), and looked round at them (и осмотрел /их/ всех). “Where is Thorin (где Торин)?” he asked (спросил он). It was a terrible shock (вот ужас-то: «это был ужасный удар»). Of course there were only thirteen of them (конечно же, их было только тринадцать), twelve dwarves and the hobbit (двенадцать гномов и хоббит). Where indeed was Thorin (где же, на самом деле, был Торин)? They wondered (они призадумались) what evil fate had befallen him (какая же злая судьба постигла его; (потерянные в этом лесу). There they dropped off (затем они впали; path [pQ: T] chuckle ['tSAk(q)l] monster ['mOnstq] But there was nothing, nothing at all; and none of them were fit to go and look for anything, or to search for the lost path. The lost path! No other idea would come into Bilbo’s tired head. He just sat staring in front of him at the endless trees; and after a while they all fell silent again. All except Balin. Long after the others had stopped talking and shut their eyes, he kept on muttering and chuckling to himself. “Gollum! Well I’m blest! So that’s how he sneaked past me is it? Now I know! Just crept quietly along did you, Mr. Baggins? Buttons all over the doorstep? Good old Bilbo-Bilbo-Bilbo-bo-bo-bo-“ And then he fell asleep, and there was complete silence for a long time. All of a sudden Dwalin opened an eye, and looked round at them. “Where is Thorin?” he asked. It was a terrible shock. Of course there were only thirteen of them, twelve dwarves and the hobbit. Where indeed was Thorin? They wondered what evil fate had befallen him, magic or dark monsters; and shuddered as they lay lost in the forest. There they dropped off one by one into uncomfortable sleep full of horrible dreams, as evening wore to black night; and there we must leave them for the present, too sick and weary to set guards or take turns watching. Thorin had been caught much faster (Торина поймали: «был пойман» гораздо быстрее) than they had (чем их). You remember Bilbo falling like a log into sleep (вы помните, как Бильбо заснул как бревно: «впал, как бревно, в сон»), as he stepped into a circle of light (когда он шагнул в круг света)? The next time it had been Thorin (на следующий раз именно Торин был тем) who stepped forward (кто шагнул вперед), and as the lights went out (и когда огни погасли) he fell like a stone enchanted (он упал, как камень, зачарованный). All the noise of the dwarves lost in the night (весь галдеж: «шум» гномов потерялся в ночи), their cries as the spiders caught them (их крики, когда пауки схватили их) and bound them (и связали их), and all the sounds of the battle (и все звуки схватки) next day (на следующий день), had passed over him unheard (прошли мимо него, не услышанные). Then the Wood-elves had come to him (затем к нему подошли Лесные эльфы), and bound him (и связали его), and carried him away (и унесли его). The feasting people were Wood-elves, of course (пирующими людьми были Лесные эльфы, конечно же). These are not wicked folk (они не злобный народ; enchanted [In'tSQ: ntId] distrust [dIs'trAst] stranger ['streIndZq] dangerous ['deIndZqrqs] Thorin had been caught much faster than they had. You remember Bilbo falling like a log into sleep, as he stepped into a circle of light? The next time it had been Thorin who stepped forward, and as the lights went out he fell like a stone enchanted. All the noise of the dwarves lost in the night, their cries as the spiders caught them and bound them, and all the sounds of the battle next day, had passed over him unheard. Then the Wood-elves had come to him, and bound him, and carried him away. The feasting people were Wood-elves, of course. These are not wicked folk. If they have a fault it is distrust of strangers. Though their magic was strong, even in those days they were wary. They differed from the High Elves of the West, and were more dangerous and less wise. For most of them (так как большинство из них) (together with their scattered relations (вместе с их разбросанными = живущими в разных местах родственниками; они бродили в больших лесах) that grew tall in lands (которые стояли высокой /стеной/: «росли высоко» на землях; relation [rI'leIS(q)n] descend [dI'send] ancient ['eInS(q)nt] faerie ['fe(q)rI] marvellous ['mQ: v(q)lqs] For most of them (together with their scattered relations in the hills and mountains) were descended from the ancient tribes that never went to Faerie in the West. There the Light-elves and the Deep-elves and the Sea-elves went and lived for ages, and grew fairer and wiser and more learned, and invented their magic and their cunning craft, in the making of beautiful and marvellous things, before some came back into the Wide World. In the Wide World the Wood-elves lingered in the twilight of our Sun and Moon but loved best the stars; and they wandered in the great forests that grew tall in lands that are now lost. They dwelt most often by the edges of the woods, from which they could escape at times to hunt, or to ride and run over the open lands by moonlight or starlight; and after the coming of Men they took ever more and more to the gloaming and the dusk. Still elves they were and remain, and that is Good People. In a great cave (в огромной пещере) some miles within the edge of Mirkwood (в нескольких милях от края Мрачного Леса; «буки были их любимыми деревьями»). The king’s cave was his palace (пещера короля была его же дворцом), and the strong place of his treasure (а так же надежным местом для его сокровищ; huge [hju: dZ] treasure ['treZq] enemy ['enqmI] In a great cave some miles within the edge of Mirkwood on its eastern side there lived at this time their greatest king. Before his huge doors of stone a river ran out of the heights of the forest and flowed on and out into the marshes at the feet of the high wooded lands. This great cave, from which countless smaller ones opened out on every side, wound far underground and had many passages and wide halls; but it was lighter and more wholesome than any goblin-dwelling, and neither so deep nor so dangerous. In fact the subjects of the king mostly lived and hunted in the open woods, and had houses or huts on the ground and in the branches. The beeches were their favourite trees. The king’s cave was his palace, and the strong place of his treasure, and the fortress of his people against their enemies. It was also the dungeon of his prisoners (это также была и подземная тюрьма для его узников). So to the cave they dragged Thorin (итак, Торина притащили в эту пещеру) — not too gently (не очень то вежливо; /слабость/ была к сокровищам), especially for silver and white gems (особенно к серебру и белым драгоценным камням); and though his hoard was rich (и, хотя его запасы были неисчерпаемы; dungeon ['dAndZqn] accused [q'kju: zd] due [dju: ] bargain ['bQ: gIn] hoard [hO: d] tilling ['tIlIN] consequently ['kOnsIkwqntlI] It was also the dungeon of his prisoners. So to the cave they dragged Thorin — not too gently, for they did not love dwarves, and thought he was an enemy. In ancient days they had had wars with some of the dwarves, whom they accused of stealing their treasure. It is only fair to say that the dwarves gave a different account, and said that they only took what was their due, for the elf— king had bargained with them to shape his raw gold and silver, and had afterwards refused to give them their pay. If the elf-king had a weakness it was for treasure, especially for silver and white gems; and though his hoard was rich, he was ever eager for more, since he had not yet as great a treasure as other elf-lords of old. His people neither mined nor worked metals or jewels, nor did they bother much with trade or with tilling the earth. All this was well known to every dwarf, though Thorin’s family had had nothing to do with the old quarrel I have spoken of. Consequently Thorin was angry at their treatment of him, when they took their spell off him and he came to his senses; and also he was determined that no word of gold or jewels should be dragged out of him. The king looked sternly on Thorin (король сурово посмотрел на Торина), when he was brought before him (когда тот предстал перед ним: «когда его привели пред него»), and asked him many questions (и задал ему много вопросов). But Thorin would only say (но Торин говорил только) that he was starving (что он умирает с голоду). “Why did you and your folk (почему вы и ваши люди) three times try to attack my people (три раза пытались напасть на моих людей) at their merrymaking (когда они веселились; “We did not attack them (мы не нападали на них),” answered Thorin (ответил Торин); “we came to beg (мы пришли, чтобы просить /еды/), because we were starving (потому, что мы умирали с голода).” “Where are your friends now (где же сейчас ваши друзья), and what are they doing (и что они делают)?” “I don’t know (я не знаю), but I expect starving in the forest (но думаю, что они умирают с голоду в лесу).” “What were you doing in the forest (что вы делали в лесу)?” “Looking for food and drink (искали еду и питье), because we were starving (потому что мы умирали с голоду).” “But what brought you into the forest at all (ну а что вообще привело вас в этот лес)?” asked the king angrily (спросил король рассерженно). merry-making ['merI" meIkIN] starve [stQ: v] angrily ['xNgrIlI] The king looked sternly on Thorin, when he was brought before him, and asked him many questions. But Thorin would only say that he was starving. “Why did you and your folk three times try to attack my people at their merrymaking?” asked the king. “We did not attack them,” answered Thorin; “we came to beg, because we were starving.” “Where are your friends now, and what are they doing?” “I don’t know, but I expect starving in the forest.” “What were you doing in the forest?” “Looking for food and drink, because we were starving.” “But what brought you into the forest at all?” asked the king angrily. At that Thorin shut his mouth (на этом Торин закрыл рот) and would not say another word (и не захотел больше говорить ни слова). “Very well (очень хорошо)!” said the king. “Take him away (уведите его) and keep him safe (и надежно заприте его; Then the elves put thongs on him (затем эльфы связали его ремнями: «наложили ремни на него»; There in the king’s dungeon poor Thorin lay (в подземной тюрьме короля бедный Торин лежал); and after he had got over his thankfulness (когда он покончил со своей благодарностью; inclined [In'klaInd] well-behaved ["welbI'heIvd] capture ['kxptSq] At that Thorin shut his mouth and would not say another word. “Very well!” said the king. “Take him away and keep him safe, until he feels inclined to tell the truth, even if he waits a hundred years.” Then the elves put thongs on him, and shut him in one of the inmost caves with strong wooden doors, and left him. They gave him food and drink, plenty of both, if not very fine; for Wood-elves were not goblins, and were reasonably well-behaved even to their worst enemies, when they captured them. The giant spiders were the only living things that they had no mercy upon. There in the king’s dungeon poor Thorin lay; and after he had got over his thankfulness for bread and meat and water, he began to wonder what had become of his unfortunate friends. It was not very long before he discovered; but that belongs to the next chapter and the beginning of another adventure in which the hobbit again showed his usefulness. |
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