"Английский язык с Дж. Р. Р. Толкиеном. Хоббит" - читать интересную книгу автора

Chapter 6. Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire (Глава 6. Из огня да в полымя)

frying-pan — сковорода с ручкой; to fry — жарить (ся); fire — огонь, пламя)


Bilbo had escaped the goblins (Бильбо ускользнул от гоблинов), but he did not know where he was (но он не знал, где он находится). He had lost hood (он потерял капюшон), cloak (плащ), food (пропитание), pony (пони), his buttons (свои пуговицы) and his friends (и своих друзей). He wandered on and on (он все продолжал брести и брести), till the sun began to sink westwards (до того самого времени, пока солнце не начало клониться к западу; to sink (sank, sunk) — тонуть, утопать, погружаться) — behind the mountains (за горы). Their shadows fell across Bilbo’s path (их тени падали на тропинку Бильбо), and he looked back (и он оглянулся). Then he looked forward (затем он посмотрел вперед) and could see before him only ridges (и смог увидеть перед собой только горные хребты) and slopes falling towards lowlands (и склоны, спускавшиеся к долинам: «низменностям») and plains glimpsed occasionally between the trees (и равнины, иногда мелькавшие между деревьями).

“Good heavens (Боже мой; heaven — небо, рай)!” he exclaimed (воскликнул он). “I seem to have got (я, кажется, добрался) right to the other side of the Misty Mountains (прямо до оборотной стороны Мглистых гор), right to the edge of the Land Beyond (прямо до края Страны, лежащей за ними)! Where and O, where (куда же, о, куда же) can Gandalf and the dwarves have got to (могли подеваться Гэндальф и гномы)? I only hope to goodness (я только уповаю на Бога) they are not still back there (что они не все еще там) in the power of the goblins (во власти гоблинов)!”


wander ['wOndq] westwards ['westwqdz] occasionally [q'keIZ (q) nqlI]


Bilbo had escaped the goblins, but he did not know where he was. He had lost hood, cloak, food, pony, his buttons and his friends. He wandered on and on, till the sun began to sink westwards — behind the mountains. Their shadows fell across Bilbo’s path, and he looked back. Then he looked forward and could see before him only ridges and slopes falling towards lowlands and plains glimpsed occasionally between the trees.

“Good heavens!” he exclaimed. “I seem to have got right to the other side of the Misty Mountains, right to the edge of the Land Beyond! Where and O where can Gandalf and the dwarves have got to? I only hope to goodness they are not still back there in the power of the goblins!”


He still wandered on (он все еще брел вперед), out of the little high valley (из маленькой высокой долины), over its edge (через ее края), and down the slopes beyond (и вниз, по склонам за ними); but all the while (но все это время) a very uncomfortable thought (очень неприятная мысль) was growing inside him (росла в нем). He wondered (он раздумывал) whether he ought not (стоит ли ему или не стоит), now he had the magic ring (теперь, когда у него было волшебное кольцо), to go back into the horrible, horrible, tunnels (вернуться: «пойти назад» в те ужасные, ужасные туннели) and look for his friends (и поискать своих друзей). He had just made up his mind (он как раз принял решение) that it was his duty (что это было его долгом), that he must turn back (что он должен вернуться) — and very miserable he felt about it (и он чувствовал себя из-за этого очень несчастным) — when he heard voices (когда он услышал голоса). He stopped and listened (он остановился и стал слушать). It did not sound like goblins (это не было похоже на гоблинов: «это не звучало, как гоблины»); so he crept forward carefully (так что он пополз вперед осторожно; tocreep). He was on a stony path (он двигался: «был на» по каменистой тропе) winding downwards (вьющейся вниз) with a rocky wall on the left hand (и скалистая стена была слева: «по его левой руке»); on the other side (с другой стороны) the ground sloped away (земля отлого опускалась) and there were dells below the level of the path (и там были лощины, ниже уровня тропы) overhung with bushes and low trees (над которыми нависали кусты и низкие деревья). In one of these dells (в одной из этих лощин) under the bushes (под кустами) people were talking (разговаривали люди).


edge [edZ] beyond [bI'jOnd] overhung [qVvq'hAN]


He still wandered on, out of the little high valley, over its edge, and down the slopes beyond; but all the while a very uncomfortable thought was growing inside him. He wondered whether he ought not, now he had the magic ring, to go back into the horrible, horrible, tunnels and look for his friends. He had just made up his mind that it was his duty, that he must turn back — and very miserable he felt about it — when he heard voices. He stopped and listened. It did not sound like goblins; so he crept forward carefully. He was on a stony path winding downwards with a rocky wall on the left hand; on the other side the ground sloped away and there were dells below the level of the path overhung with bushes and low trees. In one of these dells under the bushes people were talking.


He crept still nearer (он подполз еще поближе), and suddenly he saw (и внезапно он увидел) peering between two big boulders (выглядывавшую между двумя большими валунами) a head with a red hood on (голову в красном капюшоне): it was Balin doing look-out (это был Балин, который вел наблюдение). He could have clapped (он мог бы захлопать в ладоши) and shouted for joy (и закричать от радости), but he did not (но он этого не сделал). He had still got the ring on (у него все еще было надето кольцо /на пальце/), for fear of meeting something unexpected and unpleasant (от страха, что /он мог/ встретить кого-либо или что-либо неожиданное или неприятное), and he saw that Balin was looking straight at him (и он увидел, что Балин смотрел прямо на него) without noticing him (и не замечал его).

“I will give them all a surprise (я устрою им всем сюрприз), ” he thought (подумал он), as he crawled into the bushes (когда он вполз в кусты) at the edge of the dell (на краю лощины). Gandalf was arguing with the dwarves (Гэндальф спорил с гномами). They were discussing all that had happened to them in the tunnels (они обсуждали все, что случилось с ними в туннелях), and wondering and debating (и размышляли, и обсуждали) what they were to do now (что же им следовало теперь делать). The dwarves were grumbling (гномы ворчали; to grumble), and Gandalf was saying (а Гэндальф говорил) that they could not possibly go on with their journey (что они не могут, в любом случае, продолжать свое путешествие; possibly — возможно; может быть; /усил. / любым путем, как только возможно) leaving Mr. Baggins in the hands of the goblins (оставляя мистера Бэггинса в руках гоблинов), without trying to find out (не попытавшись даже выяснить) if he was alive or dead (был ли он жив или мертв), and without trying to rescue him (и не попытавшись выручить его).


unexpected [AnIk'spektId] surprise [sq'praIz] rescue ['reskju:]


He crept still nearer, and suddenly he saw peering between two big boulders a head with a red hood on: it was Balin doing look-out. He could have clapped and shouted for joy, but he did not. He had still got the ring on, for fear of meeting something unexpected and unpleasant, and he saw that Balin was looking straight at him without noticing him.

“I will give them all a surprise, ” he thought, as he crawled into the bushes at the edge of the dell. Gandalf was arguing with the dwarves. They were discussing all that had happened to them in the tunnels, and wondering and debating what they were to do now. The dwarves were grumbling, and Gandalf was saying that they could not possibly go on with their journey leaving Mr. Baggins in the hands of the goblins, without trying to find out if he was alive or dead, and without trying to rescue him.


“After all he is my friend (все же, он мой друг), ” said the wizard (сказал волшебник), “and not a bad little chap (и совсем не плохой малый: «маленький парень»). I feel responsible for him (я чувствую себя ответственным за него). I wish to goodness you had not lost him (как же я хотел бы, чтобы вы не потеряли его; goodness — доброта, любезность; используется в качестве междометиядлявыраженияудивления, изумления, потрясения: My goodness! — Боже мой!). ”

The dwarves wanted to know (гномы же хотели узнать) why he had ever been brought at all (почему его вообще взяли /в путешествие/), why he could not stick to his friends (почему он не мог держаться своих друзей) and come along with them (и идти вместе с ними), and why the wizard had not chosen someone with more sense (и почему волшебник не выбрал кого-то более смышленого; sense — чувство; восприятие; рассудок).

“He has been more trouble than use so far (от него было больше проблем, чем пользы, до сих пор), ” said one (сказал один). “If we have got to go back now (если нам придется вернуться сейчас) into those abominable tunnels (в те гнусные туннели) to look for him (чтобы найти его), then drat him, I say (то пропади он пропадом, вот что я скажу). ”

Gandalf answered angrily (Гэндальф ответил сердито): “I brought him (я взял его с собой), and I don’t bring things that are of no use (а я не беру вещи, которые не приносят никакой пользы). Either you help me to look for him (или вы мне помогаете искать его), or I go and leave you here (или я иду /один/ и оставляю вас здесь) to get out of the mess (выбираться из этой заварушки; mess — беспорядок, кутерьма) as best you can yourselves (на свое усмотрение: «самым лучшим образом, как только вы сможете»). If we can only find him again (если только нам удастся снова найти его), you will thank me before all is over (вы будете благодарить меня, до того, как все это закончится). Whatever did you want to go and drop him for, Dori (и чего это ради вы взяли да и сбросили его, Дори; to go and do smth. — пойти и сделать что-либо)?”

“You would have dropped him (вы сами бы его сбросили), ” said Dori, “if a goblin had suddenly grabbed your leg (если бы гоблин внезапно схватил вас за ногу) from behind in the dark (из-за спины, в темноте), tripped up your feet (поставил бы вам подножку; to trip — спотыкаться; ставить подножку), and kicked you in the back (и пнул бы вас в спину)!”

“Then why didn’t you pick him up again (тогда почему же вы не подняли его снова)?”


responsible [rI'spOnsqb (q) l] abominable [q'bOmInqb (q) l] yourselves [jq'selvz]


“After all he is my friend, ” said the wizard, “and not a bad little chap. I feel responsible for him. I wish to goodness you had not lost him. ”

The dwarves wanted to know why he had ever been brought at all, why he could not stick to his friends and come along with them, and why the wizard had not chosen someone with more sense. “He has been more trouble than use so far, ” said one. “If we have got to’ go back now into those abominable tunnels to look for him, then drat him, I say. ”

Gandalf answered angrily: “I brought him, and I don’t bring things that are of no use. Either you help me to look for him, or I go and leave you here to get out of the mess as best you can yourselves. If we can only find him again, you will thank me before all is over. Whatever did you want to go and drop him for, Dori?”

“You would have dropped him, ” said Dori, “if a goblin had suddenly grabbed your leg from behind in the dark, tripped up your feet, and kicked you in the back!”

“Then why didn’t you pick him up again?”


“Good heavens (Боже милостивый; heaven — небо; heavens — небеса)! Can you ask (вы еще спрашиваете)! Goblins fighting and biting in the dark (гоблины дерутся и кусаются со всех сторон), everybody falling over bodies (все падают друг на друга; body — тело) and hitting one another (и колотят друг друга; to hit — ударять, ранить)! You nearly chopped off my head with Glamdring (вы чуть не снесли мне голову Глемдрингом; to chop — рубить), and Thorin was stabbing here there and everywhere with Orcrist (и Торин наносил удары Оркристом и здесь, и там, и повсюду; to stab — наносить /колющий/ удар, закалывать). All of a sudden (совсем внезапно) you gave one of your blinding flashes (вы сделали одну из ваших слепящих вспышек), and we saw the goblins running back yelping (и мы увидели, как гоблины бегут на нас: «назад» = возвращаются к нам, визжа). You shouted ‘follow me everybody!’ (вы закричали "все следуйте за мной!") and everybody ought to have followed (и все и должны были за вами следовать). We thought everybody had (мы подумали, что все и последовали). There was no time to count (не было времени, что бы вести подсчеты), as you know quite well (как вы знаете совершенно хорошо), till we had dashed through the gate-guards (пока мы не прорвались сквозь стражников ворот; to dash — наносить сокрушающий удар, разбивать вдребезги; бросаться, ринуться), out of the lower door (из той низкой двери), and helter-skelter down here (и в суматохе свалились сюда; helter-skelter — беспорядочно, как попало, кое-как). And here we are (и вот мы здесь) — without the burglar (без взломщика), confusticate him (черт его побери)!”

“And here’s the burglar (а вот и взломщик)!” said Bilbo stepping down into the middle of them (сказал Бильбо, вступая в самый центр между ними; middle — середина), and slipping off the ring (и снимая кольцо).


heaven ['hev (q) n] yelping ['jelpIN] helter-skelter [heltq'skeltq]


“Good heavens! Can you ask! Goblins fighting and biting in the dark, everybody falling over bodies and hitting one another! You nearly chopped off my head with Glamdring, and Thorin Was stabbing here there and everywhere with Orcrist. All of a sudden you gave one of your blinding flashes, and we saw the goblins running back yelping. You shouted ‘follow me everybody!’ and everybody ought to have followed. We thought everybody had. There was no time to count, as you know quite well, till we had dashed through the gate-guards, out of the lower door, and helter-skelter down here. And here we are — without the burglar, confusticate him!”

“And here’s the burglar!” said Bilbo stepping down into the middle of them, and slipping off the ring.


Bless me, how they jumped (Боже мой, как они все подпрыгнули; to bless — благословлять)! Then they shouted with surprise and delight (затем они закричали с удивлением и восторгом). Gandalf was as astonished as any of them (Гэндальф был также удивлен, как и любой из них), but probably more pleased than all the others (но возможно, он был более доволен, чем все остальные). He called to Balin (он окликнул Балина) and told him what he thought of a look — out man (и сказал ему, что он думает о таком впередсмотрящем) who let people walk right into them like that (который позволяет кому угодно: «людям» появляться среди них вот таким вот образом; to walk into — выйти, войти) without warning (без предупреждения). It is a fact (факт остается фактом: «это факт») that Bilbo’s reputation (но репутация Бильбо) went up a very great deal (значительно выросла; to go (went, gone) up — подниматься, строиться) with the dwarves after this (в /глазах/ гномов после этого). If they had still doubted (если они до этого все еще сомневались) that he was really a first-class burglar (что он на самом деле был первоклассным взломщиком), in spite of Gandalf’s words (не обращая внимания на слова Гэндальфа), they doubted no longer (/то сейчас/ они больше не сомневались). Balin was the most puzzled of all (Балин был озадачен больше всех); but everyone said it was a very clever bit of work (но все сказали, что это была очень искусная работа; bit — кусочек, частица). Indeed Bilbo was so pleased with their praise (на самом деле, Бильбо был так доволен их похвалами) that he just chuckled inside (что он только хихикнул про себя: «внутри») and said nothing whatever about the ring (и не сказал ничего о кольце); and when they asked him how he did it (и когда они спросили его, как он это сделал), he said: “O, just crept along, you know (о, просто прокрался, знаете ли) — very carefully and quietly (очень осторожно и тихо). ” “Well, it is the first time (ну, не было случая: «это в первый раз») that even a mouse has crept along carefully and quietly (когда даже мышь проползла осторожно и тихо) under my very nose (под самым моим носом) and not been spotted (и не была замечена), ” said Balin, “and I take off my hood to you (и я снимаю свой капюшон перед вами). ” Which he did (что он и сделал).

“Balin at your service (Балин к вашим услугам), ” said he.

“Your servant, Mr. Baggins (ваш слуга, мистер Бэггинс), ” said Bilbo.


astonish [q'stOnIS] warning ['wO: nIN] carefully ['keqf (q) lI]


Bless me, how they jumped! Then they shouted with surprise and delight. Gandalf was as astonished as any of them, but probably more pleased than all the others. He called to Balin and told him what he thought of a look-out man who let people walk right into them like that without warning. It is a fact that Bilbo’s reputation went up a very great deal with the dwarves after this. If they had still doubted that he was really a first-class burglar, in spite of Gandalf’s words, they doubted no longer. Balin was the most puzzled of all; but everyone said it was a very clever bit of work.

Indeed Bilbo was so pleased with their praise that he just chuckled inside and said nothing whatever about the ring; and when they asked him how he did it, he said: “O, just crept along, you know — very carefully and quietly. ”

“Well, it is the first time that even a mouse has crept along carefully and quietly under my very nose and not been spotted, ” said Balin, “and I take off my hood to you. ” Which he did.

“Balin at your service, ” said he.

“Your servant, Mr. Baggins, ” said Bilbo.


Then they wanted to know all about his adventures (затем они захотели узнать все о его приключениях) after they had lost him (после того, как они потеряли его), and he sat down and told them everything (и он присел и рассказал им все) — except about the finding of the ring (за исключением находки кольца) (“not just now (не сейчас) ” he thought (подумал он)). They were particularly interested in the riddle-competition (они особенно заинтересовались /его/ соревнованиями в загадках), and shuddered most appreciatively (и содрогнулись, боле чем понимающе) at his description of Gollum (при его описании Голлума).

“And then I couldn’t think (и тогда я не мог придумать) of any other question (ни одного вопроса) with him sitting beside me (когда он сидел рядом со мной), ” ended Bilbo (закончил Бильбо); “so I said (и тогда я сказал) ‘what’s in my pocket (что в моем кармане)?’ And he couldn’t guess in three goes (и он не смог угадать за три захода). So I said (тогда я сказал): ‘what about your promise (как насчет твоего обещания)? Show me the way out (покажи мне путь отсюда)!’ But he came at me to kill me (но он подошел ко мне, чтобы убить меня), and I ran (и я побежал), and fell over (и упал), and he missed me in the dark (и он не заметил меня в темноте; to miss — зд. промахнуться, пропустить). Then I followed him (затем я последовал за ним), because I heard him talking to himself (потому что я слышал, как он разговаривал сам с собой). He thought I really knew the way out (он думал, что я на самом деле знаю выход), and so he was making for it (и поэтому он двинулся к нему). And then he sat down in the entrance (и тогда он присел у входа), and I could not get by (и я не мог пройти мимо /него/). So I jumped over him (и тогда я прыгнул на него) and escaped (и ускользнул), and ran down to the gate (и побежал вниз, к воротам). ”

“What about guards (а как же стражники)?” they asked (спросили они). “Weren’t there any (разве там их не было)?”

“O yes! lots of them (о да, кучи /их/); but I dodged ‘em (но я увернулся от них). I got stuck in the door (я застрял в двери), which was only open a crack (которая была только приоткрыта; crack — трещина), and I lost lots of buttons (и я потерял кучи пуговиц), ” he said sadly looking at his torn clothes (сказал он печально смотря на свою разорванную одежду). “But I squeezed through all right (но я протиснулся) — and here I am (и вот я здесь). ”


appreciative [q'pri: SqtIv] entrance ['entrqns] squeeze [skwi: z]


Then they wanted to know all about his adventures after they had lost him, and he sat down and told them everything — except about the finding of the ring (“not just now” he thought). They were particularly interested in the riddle-competition, and shuddered most appreciatively at his description of Gollum.

“And then I couldn’t think of any other question with him sitting beside me, ” ended Bilbo; “so I said ‘what’s in my pocket?’ And he couldn’t guess in three goes. So I said: ‘what about your promise? Show me the way out!’ But he came at me to kill me, and I ran, and fell over, and he missed me in the dark. Then I followed him, because I heard him talking to himself. He thought I really knew the way out, and so he was making for it. And then he sat down in the entrance, and I could not get by. So I jumped over him and escaped, and ran down to the gate. ”

“What about guards?” they asked. “Weren’t there any?”

“O yes! lots of them; but I dodged ‘em. I got stuck in the door, which was only open a crack, and I lost lots of buttons, ” he said sadly looking at his torn clothes. “But I squeezed through all right — and here I am. ”


The dwarves looked at him (гномы смотрели на него) with quite a new respect (с совершенно новым уважением), when he talked about dodging guards (когда он говорил о том, как увернулся от стражников), jumping over Gollum (перепрыгнул через Голлума), and squeezing through (и протиснулся сквозь /дверь/), as if it was not very difficult or very alarming (как если бы это не было слишком трудным или тревожащим).

“What did I tell you (что же я вам говорил)?” said Gandalf laughing (сказал Гэндальф, смеясь). “Mr. Baggins has more about him (у мистера Бэггинса с собой: «вокруг него» есть больше = имеет больше способностей) than you guess (чем вы можете предположить). ” He gave Bilbo a queer look (он странно поглядел на Бильбо) from under his bushy eyebrows (из под своих кустистых бровей; bush — куст), as he said this (когда он говорил это), and the hobbit wondered (и хоббит задумался) if he guessed at the part of his tale (догадался ли тот о той части его истории) that he had left out (которую он не упомянул; to leave (left) out — пропускать, не включать).

Then he had questions of his own to ask (затем у него появились собственные вопросы, которые он хотел задать), for if Gandalf had explained it all by now to the dwarves (так как если Гэндальф и объяснил их все к этому моменту гномам), Bilbo had not heard it (то Бильбо не слышал этого). He wanted to know (он хотел знать) how the wizard had turned up again (как это волшебник появился снова; toturnup—подниматьвверх, загибать; внезапно появляться), and where they had all got to now (и куда они все сейчас попали). The wizard, to tell the truth (волшебник, сказать по правде), never minded explaining his cleverness more than once (никогда не возражал против объяснения своей мудрости по нескольку раз: «больше чем один раз»; cleverness — ум, одаренность), so now he had told Bilbo (так что теперь он рассказал Бильбо) that both he and Elrond had been well aware (что они оба — он и Элронд были хорошо осведомлены) of the presence of evil goblins in that part of the mountains (о присутствии гоблинов в этих частях гор). But their main gate (но их главные ворота) used to come out on a different pass (раньше выходил на другую тропу), one more easy to travel by (такую, по которой было легче путешествовать), so that they often caught people (так, что они часто ловили людей; to catch) benighted near their gates (остановившихся на ночлег рядом с их воротами; benighted — находящийся во мраке, застигнутый темнотой). Evidently people had given up going that way (очевидно, что люди забросили ходить по той дороге), and the goblins must have opened their new entrance (и гоблинам, должно быть, пришлось открыть новый вход) at the top of the pass (на вершине того прохода) the dwarves had taken (который выбрали гномы), quite recently (и причем довольно недавно), because it had been found quite safe (потому как он /проход/ считался довольно безопасным) up to now (до сих пор).


alarming [q'lQ: mIN] eyebrow ['aIbraV] presence ['prez (q) ns]


The dwarves looked at him with quite a new respect, when he talked about dodging guards, jumping over Gollum, and squeezing through, as if it was not very difficult or very alarming.

“What did I tell you?” said Gandalf laughing. “Mr. Baggins has more about him than you guess. ” He gave Bilbo a queer look from under his bushy eyebrows, as he said this, and the hobbit wondered if he guessed at the part of his tale that he had left out.

Then he had questions of his own to ask, for if Gandalf had explained it all by now to the dwarves, Bilbo had not heard it. He wanted to know how the wizard had turned up again, and where they had all got to now. The wizard, to tell the truth, never minded explaining his cleverness more than once, so now he had told Bilbo that both he and Elrond had been well aware of the presence of evil goblins in that part of the mountains. But their main gate used to come out on a different pass, one more easy to travel by, so that they often caught people benighted near their gates. Evidently people had given up going that way, and the goblins must have opened their new entrance at the top of the pass the dwarves had taken, quite recently, because it had been found quite safe up to now.


“I must see (я должен посмотреть) if I can’t find a more or less decent giant (смогу ли я найти более или менее порядочного великана) to block it up again (чтобы снова завалить его; to block — преграждать, блокировать), ” said Gandalf, “or soon there will be no getting over the mountains at all (или вскоре вообще не пройдешь через горы). ”

As soon as Gandalf had heard Bilbo’s yell (как только Гэндальф услышал вопль Бильбо) he realized what had happened (он понял, что произошло). In the flash which killed the goblins that were grabbing him (вспышкой убив гоблинов, которые вцепились в него) he had nipped inside the crack (он протиснулся в расщелину), just as it snapped to (как раз тогда, когда она захлопывалась). He followed after the drivers and prisoners (он следовал за надсмотрщиками и пленниками) right to the edge of the great hall (прямо до начала: «края» огромного зала), and there he sat down (и там он присел) and worked up the best magic (и сотворил самое лучшее волшебство; to work up — обрабатывать, разжигать) he could in the shadows (которое смог во тьме).

“A very ticklish business, it was (это было очень рискованное дело; ticklish — деликатный, щекотливый; to tickle — щекотать), ” he said. “Touch and go (все висело на волоске; to touch — касаться, трогать)!” But, of course (но, конечно же), Gandalf had made a special study (Гэндальф специально изучал) of bewitchments with fire and lights (колдовство с огнем и светом) (even the hobbit had never forgotten the magic fireworks (даже хоббит никогда не смог забыть те волшебные фейерверки) at Old Took’s midsummer-eve parties (на праздниках у Старого Тука, в канун летнего солнцестояния), as you remember (как вы помните). The rest we all know (оставшееся мы все знаем) — except that Gandalf knew all about the back-door (за исключением того, что Гэндальф знал все о задней двери), as the goblins called the lower gate (как гоблины называли нижние ворота), where Bilbo lost his buttons (где Бильбо потерял свои пуговицы). As a matter of fact (на самом-то деле) it was well known to anybody (о ней было хорошо известно любому) who was acquainted with this part of the mountains (кто был знаком с этим районом гор); but it took a wizard (но нужен был волшебник) to keep his head in the tunnels (чтобы сохранить голову = не потерять голову в /этих/ туннелях) and guide them in the right direction (и направлять их по правильному пути: «направлению»).


decent ['di: s (q) nt] ticklish ['tIklIS] bewitchment [bI'wItSmqnt]


“I must see if I can’t find a more or less decent giant to block it up again, ” said Gandalf, “or soon there will be no getting over the mountains at all. ”

As soon as Gandalf had heard Bilbo’s yell he realized what had happened. In the flash which killed the goblins that were grabbing him he had nipped inside the crack, just as it snapped to. He followed after the drivers and prisoners right to the edge of the great hall, and there he sat down and worked up the best magic he could in the shadows.

“A very ticklish business, it was, ” he said. “Touch and go!” But, of course, Gandalf had made a special study of bewitchments with fire and lights (even the hobbit had never forgotten the magic fire works at Old Took’s midsummer-eve parties, as you remember). The rest we all know — except that Gandalf knew all about the back-door, as the goblins called the lower gate, where Bilbo lost his buttons. As a matter of fact it was well known to anybody who was acquainted with this part of the mountains; but it took a wizard to keep his head in the tunnels and guide them in the right direction.


“They made that gate ages ago (они сделали эти ворота много веков назад), ” he said, “partly for a way of escape (частично как путь к отступлению: «побегу»), if they needed one (если им таковой понадобился бы); partly as a way out into the lands beyond (и частично как путь, ведущий наружу, к землям, лежащим за /горами/), where they still come in the dark (куда они все еще являлись в темноте) and do great damage (и наносили громадный ущерб). They guard it always (они всегда охраняли его) and no one has ever managed to block it up (и никому так никогда и не удалось заблокировать его). They will guard it doubly after this (они удвоят охрану: «они будут охранять его вдвойне» после этого), ” he laughed (засмеялся он). All the others laughed too (все остальные тоже засмеялись). After all they had lost a good deal (в конце концов, они потеряли многое), but they had killed the Great Goblin (но они убили Великого Гоблина) and a great many others besides (и очень много других, кроме того), and they had all escaped (и всем им удалось сбежать), so they might be said (так что они, можно было сказать) to have had the best of it (взяли верх; to have the best of it — победить, одолеть, извлечь наибольшую выгоду) so far (пока). But the wizard called them to their senses (но волшебник привел: «призвал» их в чувства).

“We must be getting on at once (мы должны продолжать путь немедленно), now we are a little rested (теперь, когда мы уже слегка отдохнули), ” he said. “They will be out after us in hundreds (они бросятся за нами сотнями) when night comes on (когда наступит ночь); and already shadows are lengthening (а тени уже удлиняются). They can smell our footsteps (они смогут разнюхать наши шаги) for hours and hours after we have passed (еще долгие и долгие часы после того, как мы пройдем). We must be miles on before dusk (мы должны уйти на /многие/ мили вперед до сумерек). There will be a bit of moon (кусочек луны будет /виден/), if it keeps fine (если погода останется такой же хорошей; to keep — держать, хранить, сохраняться), and that is lucky (и это везенье: «удачно»). Not that they mind the moon much (не то что бы они /гоблины/ уж очень боятся луны: «гоблины, правда, не очень-то боятся луны»; to mind — возражать; беспокоиться, беречься), but it will give us a little light to steer by (но она даст нам немного света, чтобы не сбиться с пути; to steer — править рулем, управлять; следовать, идти /по определенному курсу/). ”


damage ['dxmIdZ] lengthen ['leNT (q) n] steer [stIq]


“They made that gate ages ago, ” he said, “partly for a way of escape, if they needed one; partly as a way out into the lands beyond, where they still come in the dark and do great damage. They guard it always and no one has ever managed to block it up. They will guard it doubly after this, ” he laughed. All the others laughed too. After all they had lost a good deal, but they had killed the Great Goblin and a great many others besides, and they had all escaped, so they might be said to have had the best of it so far. But the wizard called them to their senses. “We must be getting on at once, now we are a little rested, ” he said. “They will be out after us in hundreds when night comes on; and already shadows are lengthening. They can smell our footsteps for hours and hours after we have passed. We must be miles on before dusk. There will be a bit of moon, if it keeps fine, and that is lucky. Not that they mind the moon much, but it will give us a little light to steer by. ”


“O yes (о, да)!” he said in answer to more questions from the hobbit (сказал он в ответ на дальнейшие вопросы хоббита). “You lose track of time inside goblin — tunnels (вы потеряли счет времени в гоблиновских туннелях; track — след, курс, путь). Today’s Thursday (сегодня четверг), and it was Monday night or Tuesday morning (а тогда была ночь понедельника или утро вторника) that we were captured (когда нас схватили: «мы были схвачены»). We have gone miles and miles (мы прошли много и много миль: «мили и мили»), and come right down through the heart of the mountains (и прошли как раз сквозь самую сердцевину гор), and are now on the other side (и теперь мы находимся на другой стороне) — quite a short cut (считай кратчайший путь; short cut — путь напрямик; to cut — резать). But we are not at the point (но мы сейчас не в том месте) to which our pass would have brought us (к которому наш /первоначальный/ путь вывел бы нас); we are too far to the North (мы слишком далеко к Северу), and have some awkward country ahead (и перед нами впереди некая опасная страна; awkward — неуклюжий; неудобный, трудный; ahead — вперед; впереди). And we are still pretty high up (и мы все еще достаточно высоко). Let’s get on (давайте двинемся в путь)!”

“I am so dreadfully hungry (я так ужасно голоден), ” groaned Bilbo (простонал Бильбо), who was suddenly aware (который внезапно осознал) that he had not had a meal (что он ничего не ел; meal — принятие пищи, еда) since the night before the night before last (с позапозапрошлого вечера: «с ночи, накануне ночи, накануне последней ночи»). Just think of that for a hobbit (только подумать об этом для хоббита)! His stomach felt all empty and loose (его желудок был: «чувствовал» совершенно пустой и обвисший) and his legs all wobbly (и его ножки дрожали: «совершенно шатающиеся, неустойчивые»; to wobble — качать (ся) из стороны в сторону; вихлять; идти шатаясь; трястись, дрожать), now that the excitement was over (теперь, когда возбуждение закончилось).

“Can’t help it (ничем не могу помочь), ” said Gandalf, “unless you like to go back (если только вы не хотите вернуться /назад/) and ask the goblins nicely (и мило попросить гоблинов) to let you have your pony back and your luggage (позволить вам забрать своего пони и свой багаж). ” “No thank you (нет уж, спасибо)!” said Bilbo.

“Very well then (тогда очень хорошо), we must just tighten our belts (мы должны просто затянуть свои пояса) and trudge on (и идти вперед; to trudge — тащиться, идти с трудом) — or we shall be made into supper (или из нас сделают ужин), and that will be much worse (и это будет гораздо хуже) than having none ourselves (чем самим не поужинать: «не иметь ужина самим»). ”


Thursday ['Tq: zdI] Monday ['mAndI] Tuesday ['tju: zdI]


“O yes!” he said in answer to more questions from the hobbit. “You lose track of time inside goblin-tunnels. Today’s Thursday, and it was Monday night or Tuesday morning that we were captured. We have gone miles and miles, and come right down through the heart of the mountains, and are now on the other side — quite a short cut. But we are not at the point to which our pass would have brought us; we are too far to the North, and have some awkward country ahead. And we are still pretty high up. Let’s get on!”

“I am so dreadfully hungry, ” groaned Bilbo, who was suddenly aware that he had not had a meal since the night before the night before last. Just think of that for a hobbit! His stomach felt all empty and loose and his legs all wobbly, now that the excitement was over.

“Can’t help it, ” said Gandalf, “unless you like to go back and ask the goblins nicely to let you have your pony back and your luggage. ”

“No thank you!” said Bilbo.

“Very well then, we must just tighten our belts and trudge on — or we shall be made into supper, and that will be much worse than having none ourselves. ”


As they went on (пока они продолжали идти) Bilbo looked from side to side (Бильбо поглядывал из стороны в сторону) for something to eat (в поисках чего-либо съедобного); but the blackberries were still only in flower (но ежевика была все еще в цвету), and of course there were no nuts (и конечно, не было ни орехов), nor even hawthorn-berries (ни даже ягод боярышника). He nibbled a bit of sorrel (он обгрыз щепотку щавеля), and he drank from a small mountain — stream (и выпил из маленького горного ручейка) that crossed the path (что пересекал их путь), and he ate three wild strawberries (и он съел три лесные земляники; wild — дикий, дикорастущий) that he found on its bank (которые он обнаружил на его берегу), but it was not much good (но это было все бесполезно). They still went on and on (они все продолжали идти и идти). The rough path disappeared (неровная тропинка пропала). The bushes (кусты), and the long grasses (и высокие травы; long — длинный), between the boulders (между валунов), the patches of rabbit-cropped turf (участки дерна, обглоданные зайцами; to crop — щипать траву; подрезать), the thyme (тимьян) and the sage (и шалфей) and the marjoram (и душица), and the yellow rockroses (и желтые скалистые розочки) all vanished (все исчезли), and they found themselves (и они неожиданно для себя оказались) at the top of a wide steep slope (на вершине широкого крутого склона) of fallen stones (из упавших камней), the remains of a landslide (остатка от оползня; to slide — скользить). When they began to go down this (когда они начали спускаться по ним), rubbish and small pebbles rolled away from their feet (мусор и маленькие камешки покатились из-под их ног); soon larger bits of split stone went clattering down (вскоре куски побольше из отколовшихся камней загромыхали вниз; to split — раскалывать) and started other pieces below them slithering and rolling (и заставили другие камни под собой: «под ними» скользить и перекатываться; to start — начинаться, отправляться, поражать); then lumps of rocks were disturbed and bounded off (затем глыбы скал оказались потревоженными и начали отскакивать), crashing down with a dust and a noise (и рушиться в пыли и грохоте).


hawthorn ['hO: TO: n] thyme [taIm] marjoram ['mQ: dZ (q) rqm]


As they went on Bilbo looked from side to side for something to eat; but the blackberries were still only in flower, and of course there were no nuts, nor even hawthorn-berries. He nibbled a bit of sorrel, and he drank from a small mountain-stream that crossed the path, and he ate three wild strawberries that he found on its bank, but it was not much good. They still went on and on. The rough path disappeared. The bushes, and the long grasses, between the boulders, the patches of rabbit-cropped turf, the thyme and the sage and the marjoram, and the yellow rockroses all vanished, and they found themselves at the top of a wide steep slope of fallen stones, the remains of a landslide. When they began to go down this, rubbish and small pebbles rolled away from their feet; soon larger bits of split stone went clattering down and started other pieces below them slithering and rolling; then lumps of rocks were disturbed and bounded off, crashing down with a dust and a noise.


Before long (вскоре) the whole slope above them and below them (весь склон над ними и под ними) seemed on the move (казалось, был приведен в движение), and they were sliding away (и они скользили /на нем/), huddled all together (сгрудившись все вместе; to huddle — валить в одну кучу, сбивать в кучу; перемешивать), in a fearful confusion (в ужасной неразберихе) of slipping, rattling, cracking slabs and stones (из-за скользящих, гремящих и трескающихся кусков и камней). It was the trees at the bottom that saved them (именно деревья внизу спасли их). They slid into the edge of a climbing wood of pines (они проскользили до самого края растущего вверх соснового леса; to climb — карабкаться, взбираться) that here stood right up the mountain slope (который рос: «стоял» там как раз вверх по склону горы) from the deeper darker forests of the valleys below (из более густых и темных лесов из долины внизу). Some caught hold of the trunks (некоторые из них ухватились за стволы /деревьев/) and swung themselves into lower branches (и залезли на нижние ветви; to swing (swung) — качать (ся), колебать (ся); вешать, подвешивать), some (like the little hobbit) got behind a tree (некоторые (как наш маленький хоббит) спрятались за деревья) to shelter from the onslaught of the rocks (чтобы укрыться от стремительного натиска скал; onslaught — бешеная атака, нападение). Soon the danger was over (вскоре опасность миновала), the slide had stopped (оползень: «скольжение» прекратился), and the last faint crashes could be heard (и последний слабый грохот: «трески» можно было расслышать) as the largest of the disturbed stones (пока самые большие из потревоженных камней) went bounding and spinning (пронеслись, отскакивая и вращаясь) among the bracken and the pine-roots (среди папоротника и корней деревьев) far below (далеко внизу).


confusion [kqn'fju: Z (q) n] onslaught ['OnslO: t] bracken ['brxkqn]


Before long the whole slope above them and below them seemed on the move, and they were sliding away, huddled all together, in a fearful confusion of slipping, rattling, cracking slabs and stones. It was the trees at the bottom that saved them. They slid into the edge of a climbing wood of pines that here stood right up the mountain slope from the deeper darker forests of the valleys below. Some caught hold of the trunks and swung themselves into lower branches, some (like the little hobbit) got behind a tree to shelter from the onslaught of the rocks. Soon the danger was over, the slide had stopped, and the last faint crashes could be heard as the largest of the disturbed stones went bounding and spinning among the bracken and the pine-roots far below.


“Well (итак)! that has got us on a bit (это нас немного продвинуло вперед), ” said Gandalf; “and even goblins tracking us (и даже гоблинам, выслеживающим нас) will have a job (придется потрудится: «найдется работа») to come down here quietly (чтобы спуститься сюда тихо). ”

“I daresay (да уж: «я полагаю»), ” grumbled Bombur (проворчал Бомбур); “but they won’t find it difficult (но для них окажется очень просто: «но они не сочтут это сложным») to send stones bouncing down on our heads (послать камни скатиться прямо нам на головы). ” The dwarves (and Bilbo) were feeling far from happy (гномы (и Бильбо) чувствовали себя далеко не довольными), and were rubbing their bruised (и растирали свои синяки) and damaged legs and feet (и поврежденные ноги и ступни).

“Nonsense (чепуха)! We are going to turn aside here (мы свернем здесь; to turn aside — отклоняться: «повернуть в сторону») out of the path of the slide (с пути движения оползня). We must be quick (мы должны торопиться: «быть быстрыми»)! Look at the light (посмотрите на свет)!”

The sun had long gone behind the mountains (солнце уже давно ушло за горы). Already the shadows were deepening about them (уже тени сгущались вокруг них; to deepen — углубляться; усиливаться), though far away (хотя, вдалеке) through the trees (сквозь деревья) and over the black tops of those growing lower down (и над темными верхушками тех /деревьев/, что росли ниже) they could still see (они все еще могли видеть) the evening lights on the plains beyond (вечерний свет вдали, на равнинах). They limped along now as fast as they were able (они плелись теперь так скоро, как только они могли; to limp — хромать) down the gentle slopes of a pine forest (вниз по пологим склонам соснового леса; gentle — мягкий, тихий, слабый) in a slanting path leading steadily southwards (по наклонной тропе, ведущей неизменно на юг). At times they were pushing through a sea of bracken (временами они проталкивались сквозь море папоротников) with tall fronds rising right above the hobbit’s head (с высокими листами папоротника, поднимающимися прямо над головой хоббита; frond — расчлененный, похожий на ветку лист /напр., папоротника, пальмы, бананового дерева и т. п. /); at times they were marching along quiet as quiet (временами они передвигались тихо, как только могли тихо) over a floor of pine-needles (по поверхности из сосновых иголок; floor — пол, настил, перекрытие); and all the while the forest-gloom got heavier (и все это время мрак леса становился все плотнее; heavy — тяжелый) and the forest-silence deeper (и тишина леса /становилась/ все беззвучнее: «глубже»). There was no wind that evening (тем вечером не было ветра) to bring even a sea-sighing (чтобы принести даже дуновение моря) into the branches of the trees (в ветки деревьев).


bruise [bru: z] southwards ['saVTwqdz] pine needle ['paInni: dl]


“Well! that has got us on a bit, ” said Gandalf; “and even goblins tracking us will have a job to come down here quietly. ”

“I daresay, ” grumbled Bombur; “but they won’t find it difficult to send stones bouncing down on our heads. ” The dwarves (and Bilbo) were feeling far from happy, and were rubbing their bruised and damaged legs and feet.

“Nonsense! We are going to turn aside here out of the path of the slide. We must be quick! Look at the light!” The sun had long gone behind the mountains. Already the shadows were deepening about them, though far away through the trees and over the black tops of those growing lower down they could still see the evening lights on the plains beyond. They limped along now as fast as they were able down the gentle slopes of a pine forest in a slanting path leading steadily southwards. At times they were pushing through a sea of bracken with tall fronds rising right above the hobbit’s head; at times they were marching along quiet as quiet over a floor of pine-needles; and all the while the forest-gloom got heavier and the forest-silence deeper. There was no wind that evening to bring even a sea-sighing into the branches of the trees.


“Must we go any further (а надо ли нам идти дальше)?” asked Bilbo (спросил Бильбо), when it was so dark (когда было уже так темно) that he could only just see Thorin’s beard wagging beside him (что он мог видеть только бороду Торина, что колыхалась рядом с ним), and so quiet (и было так тихо) that he could hear the dwarves’ breathing (что он мог слышать дыхание гномов) like a loud noise (как громкий шум). “My toes are all bruised and bent (мои ступни все в синяках и подгибаются: «согнуты»; toe — палец ноги; носок, мысок; to bend — сгибать, гнуть), and my legs ache (и ноги болят), and my stomach is wagging like an empty sack (и мой живот болтается, как пустой мешок). ”

“A bit further (еще чуть-чуть дальше), ” said Gandalf.

After what seemed ages further (после этого ‘дальше’, которое, казалось, длилось вечность: «после того, что казалось вечностью, дальше») they came suddenly to an opening (они внезапно вышли на опушку) where no trees grew (где не росли деревья). The moon was up (луна была высоко) and was shining into the clearing (и светила на прогалину). Somehow it struck all of them (каким-то образом, им всем показалось; to strick (struck) — ударить; зд. озадачивать, ставить в тупик) as not at all a nice place (что место это совсем не приятное), although there was nothing wrong to see (хотя, в нем ничего плохого не было видно; wrong — неправильно, неверно; дурно).

All of a sudden (совсем внезапно) they heard a howl away down hill (они услышали вой, далеко внизу холма), a long shuddering howl (долгий, вызывающий дрожь вой; to shudder — вздрагивать, содрогаться; бросать в дрожь).

It was answered by another (в ответ на него раздался другой) away to the right (в стороне, справа) and a good deal nearer to them (и гораздо ближе к ним), then by another (затем другим) not far away to the left (не очень далеко, слева). It was wolves howling at the moon (это были волки, воющие на луну), wolves gathering together (волки, собиравшиеся вместе)!


beside [bI'saId] stomach ['stAmqk] wolves [wVlvz] wolf [wVlf]


“Must we go any further?” asked Bilbo, when it was so dark that he could only just see Thorin’s beard wagging beside him, and so quiet that he could hear the dwarves’ breathing like a loud noise.

“My toes are all bruised and bent, and my legs ache, and my stomach is wagging like an empty sack. ”

“A bit further, ” said Gandalf.

After what seemed ages further they came suddenly to an opening where no trees grew. The moon was up and was shining into the clearing. Somehow it struck all of them as not at all a nice place, although there was nothing wrong to see.

All of a sudden they heard a howl away down hill, a long shuddering howl.

It was answered by another away to the right and a good deal nearer to them, then by another not far away to the left. It was wolves howling at the moon, wolves gathering together!


There were no wolves living near Mr. Baggins’ hole at home (дома, рядом с норкой мистера Бэггинса, волки не жили), but he knew that noise (но он знал этот шум). He had had it described to him often enough in tales (ему его довольно часто описывали в сказках). One of his elder cousins (один из его старших кузенов) (on the Took side (со стороны Туков)), who had been a great traveler (который был великим путешественником), used to imitate it to frighten him (бывало имитировал его, что бы испугать его /Бильбо/). To hear it out in the forest under the moon (услышать его в лесу, под луной) was too much for Bilbo (это было уж слишком для Бильбо). Even magic rings are not much use (даже волшебные кольца не очень уж полезны) against wolves (против волков) — especially against the evil packs (особенно против злобных стай) that lived under the shadow (которые жили по тенью) of the goblin-infested mountains (гор, населенных гоблинам; toinfest—наводнять, паразитировать), over the Edge of the Wild (за Гранью Дикого Края) on the borders of the unknown (на границах с неведомым). Wolves of that sort (волки этого типа) smell keener than goblins (обладают более тонким нюхом, чем гоблины; keen — острый, резкий), and do not need to see you to catch you (и им не надо видеть тебя, чтобы сцапать)!


enough [I'nAf] cousin ['kAz (q) n] infest [In'fest]


There were no wolves living near Mr. Baggins’ hole at home, but he knew that noise. He had had it described to him often enough in tales. One of his elder cousins (on the Took side), who had been a great traveller, used to imitate it to frighten him. To hear it out in the forest under the moon was too much for Bilbo. Even magic rings are not much use against wolves — especially against the evil packs that lived under the shadow of the goblin — infested mountains, over the Edge of the Wild on the borders of the unknown. Wolves of that sort smell keener than goblins, and do not need to see you to catch you!


“What shall we do (что же нам делать), what shall we do!” he cried (заплакал он). “Escaping goblins to be caught by wolves (убежать от гоблинов, чтобы быть схваченными волками)!” he said, and it became a proverb (и это стало пословицей), though we now say ‘out of the frying-pan into the fire’ (хотя сейчас мы говорим: "из огня да в полымя": «из сковороды в огонь») in the same sort of uncomfortable situations (в подобных же неуютных ситуациях).

“Up the trees quick (на деревья, живо)!” cried Gandalf (закричал Гэндальф); and they ran to the trees at the edge of the glade (и они побежали к деревьям, /стоящим/ на краю прогалины), hunting for those that had branches fairly low (направляясь к тем /деревьям/, у которых ветви были достаточно низко; to hunt — охотиться; преследовать, разыскивать), or were slender enough to swarm up (или были достаточно гибкими, чтобы по ним можно было вскарабкаться; slender — стройный, скудный, слабый). They found them as quick as ever they could (они обнаружили их так быстро, как только могли), you can guess (можете себе представить); and up they went as high (и взобрались так высоко) as ever they could trust the branches (как только ветви могли их выдержать: «как только они могли доверять ветвям»). You would have laughed (вы бы обхохотались) (from a safe distance (с безопасного расстояния)), if you had seen the dwarves (если бы вы увидели гномов) sitting up in the trees (сидящих высоко на деревьях) with their beards dangling down (со своими бородами, свободно свисающими вниз), like old gentlemen gone cracked (будто старые джентльмены, которые чокнулись; cracked — треснувший; /разг. / выживший из ума) and playing at being boys (и играли в мальчишек). Fili and Kili were at the top of a tall larch (Фили и Кили сидели на верхушке высоченной лиственницы) like an enormous Christmas tree (как на огромнейшей Рождественской елке). Dori, Nori, Ori, Oin, and Gloin were more comfortable (Дори, Нори, Ори, Ойн и Глойн устроились более комфортно) in a huge pine (на огромной сосне) with regular branches sticking out at intervals (с правильными ветвями, выступающими на равных промежутках) like the spokes of a wheel (как спицы в колесе). Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, and Thorin were in another (Бифур, Бофур, Бомбур и Торин были на другом /дереве/). Dwalin and Balin had swarmed up a tall slender fir (Двалин и Балин взобрались на высокую стройную ель) with few branches (с небольшим количеством ветвей) and were trying to find a place to sit (и пытались найти местечко, где присесть) in the greenery of the topmost boughs (в зелени самых верхних ветвей). Gandalf, who was a good deal taller than the others (Гэндальф, который был значительно выше, чем другие), had found a tree into which they could not climb (нашел дерево, на которое они не смогли бы взобраться), a large pine standing at the very edge of the glade (высокую сосну, стоящую на самом краю прогалины). He was quite hidden in its boughs (он был вполне спрятан за ее ветвями; bough — ветвь), but you could see his eyes gleaming in the moon (но можно было увидеть его глаза, блестящие в лунном /свете/) as he peeped out (когда он выглядывал).


proverb ['prOvq: b] frying pan ['fraIINpxn] enormous [I'nO: mqs] Christmas tree

['krIsmqstri:]


“What shall we do, what shall we do!” he cried. “Escaping goblins to be caught by wolves!” he said, and it became a proverb, though we now say ‘out of the frying-pan into the fire’ in the same sort of uncomfortable situations.

“Up the trees quick!” cried Gandalf; and they ran to the trees at the edge of the glade, hunting for those that had branches fairly low, or were slender enough to swarm up. They found them as quick as ever they could, you can guess; and up they went as high as ever they could trust the branches. You would have laughed (from a safe distance), if you had seen the dwarves sitting up in the trees with their beards dangling down, like old gentlemen gone cracked and playing at being boys. Fili and Kili were at the top of a tall larch like an enormous Christmas tree. Dori, Nori, Ori, Oin, and Gloin were more comfortable in a huge pine with regular branches sticking out at intervals like the spokes of a wheel. Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, and Thorin were in another. Dwalin and Balin had swarmed up a tall slender fir with few branches and were trying to find a place to sit in the greenery of the topmost boughs. Gandalf, who was a good deal taller than the others, had found a tree into which they could not climb, a large pine standing at the very edge of the glade. He was quite hidden in its boughs, but you could see his eyes gleaming in the moon as he peeped out.


And Bilbo (а Бильбо)? He could not get into any tree (он не мог забраться ни на одно дерево), and was scuttling about from trunk to trunk (и поспешно перебегал от ствола к стволу; to scuttle — поспешно бежать, удирать), like a rabbit that has lost its hole (словно заяц, который потерял свою нору) and has a dog after it (и за которым гонится собака: «имеет собаку за собой»).

“You’ve left the burglar behind again (вы снова позабыли про взломщика; to leave behind — оставлять позади)!” said Nori to Dori looking down (сказал Нори Дори, смотря вниз).

“I can’t be always carrying burglars on my back (я не могу всегда носить взломщиков на своей спине), ” said Dori, “down tunnels and up trees (вниз по туннелям и вверх по деревьям)! What do you think I am (кто, вы думаете, я такой)? A porter (носильщик)?”

“He’ll be eaten (его съедят: «будет съеден») if we don’t do something (если мы чего-нибудь не сделаем), ” said Thorin, for there were howls all around them now (так как вой раздавался теперь всюду вокруг их), getting nearer and nearer (приближаясь все ближе и ближе).

“Dori!” he called (позвал он), for Dori was lowest down in the easiest tree (так как Дори сидел на самом нижнем /суку/, на самом удобном дереве; easy — легкий, нетрудный), “be quick (быстрее), and give Mr. Baggins a hand up (и поднимите мистера Бэггинса наверх: «подайте мистеру Бэггинсу руку вверх»)!”

Dori was really a decent fellow (Дори был, на самом деле, приличным парнем) in spite of his grumbling (несмотря на его ворчание). Poor Bilbo could not reach his hand (бедный Бильбо не мог дотянуться до его руки) even when he climbed down to the bottom branch (даже когда тот опустился до нижней ветки) and hung his arm down (и свесил свою руку вниз) as far as ever he could (настолько, сколько он только смог; far — далеко). So Dori actually climbed out of the tree (тогда Дори на самом деле слез с дерева) and let Bilbo scramble up (и позволил Бильбо вскарабкаться) and stand on his back (и встать на его спину). Just at that moment (как раз в этот момент) the wolves trotted howling into the clearing (волки вбежали рысцой, завывая, на прогалину). All of a sudden (совсем внезапно) there were hundreds of eyes looking at them (сотни глаз уставились на них). Still Dori did not let Bilbo down (и все же Дори не бросил Бильбо в беде; to let down — опускать; подводить). He waited till he had clambered off his shoulders (он подождал, до того, как тот вскарабкался цепляясь с его плеч) into the branches (на ветви), and then he jumped for the branches himself (и тогда прыгнул на ветки сам). Only just in time (и как раз вовремя)!


porter ['pO: tq] grumbling ['grAmblIN] clearing ['klI (q) rIN]


And Bilbo? He could not get into any tree, and was scuttling about from trunk to trunk, like a rabbit that has lost its hole and has a dog after it.

“You’ve left the burglar behind again!” said Nori to Dori looking down.

“I can’t be always carrying burglars on my back, ” said Dori, “down tunnels and up trees! What do you think I am? A porter?”

“He’ll be eaten if we don’t ‘do something, ” said Thorin, for there were howls all around them now, getting nearer and nearer.

“Dori!” he called, for Dori was lowest down in the easiest tree, “be quick, and give Mr. Baggins a hand up!”

Dori was really a decent fellow in spite of his grumbling. Poor Bilbo could not reach his hand even when he climbed down to the bottom branch and hung his arm down as far as ever he could. So Dori actually climbed out of the tree and let Bilbo scramble up and stand on his back. Just at that moment the wolves trotted howling into the clearing. All of a sudden there were hundreds of eyes looking at them. Still Dori did not let Bilbo down. He waited till he had clambered off his shoulders into the branches, and then he jumped for the branches himself. Only just in time!


A wolf snapped at his cloak (волк схватил его за плащ) as he swung up (когда тот прыгнул; to swing (swung) — качаться, подвешивать), and nearly got him (и чуть не схватил его). In a minute there was a whole pack of them (через мгновение там уже была целая стая) yelping all round the tree (потявкивая вокруг дерева) and leaping up at the trunk (и запрыгивали на ствол /дерева/), with eyes blazing (их глаза пылали; to blaze — ореть ярким пламенем; сверкать, сиять, блистать) and tongues hanging out (и языки свешивались /из пастей/). But even the wild Wargs (но даже дикие Варги) (for so the evil wolves (так как так злые волки) over the Edge of the Wild (за Гранью Дикого Края) were named (назывались)) cannot climb trees (не могут взбираться по деревьям). For a time they were safe (на какое-то время они были в безопасности). Luckily it was warm and not windy (к счастью, погода была теплая и безветреная). Trees are not very comfortable to sit in for long (деревья не очень-то удобны для сидения на них) at any time (в любое время); but in the cold and the wind (но в холода и при ветре), with wolves all round below waiting for you (когда волки вокруг внизу ожидают тебя), they can be perfectly miserable places (они могут быть действительно отвратительными местами).


blazing ['bleIzIN] tongue [tAN] miserable ['mIz (q) rqb (q) l]


A wolf snapped — at his cloak as he swung up, and nearly got him. In a minute there was a whole pack of them yelping all round the tree and leaping up at the trunk, with eyes blazing and tongues hanging out. But even the wild Wargs (for so the evil wolves over the Edge of the Wild were named) cannot climb trees. For a time they were safe. Luckily it was warm and not windy. Trees are not very comfortable to sit in for long at any time; but in the cold and the wind, with wolves all round below waiting for you, they can be perfectly miserable places.


This glade in the ring of trees (эта прогалина в окружении деревьев) was evidently a meeting-place of the wolves (была, очевидно, местом встреч для волков). More and more kept coming in (все больше и больше /волков/ продолжало приходить). They left guards at the foot of the tree (они оставили стражей у основания дерева) in which Dori and Bilbo were (на котором были Дори и Бильбо), and then went sniffling about (и затем отправились, водя носами; to sniffle — сопеть, хлюпать носом) till they had smelt out every tree (пока они не обнаружили по запаху каждое дерево) that had anyone in it (на котором было по /гному/). These they guarded too (у этих /деревьев/ они также выставили охрану), while all the rest (пока все остальные) (hundreds and hundreds it seemed (сотни и сотни, как казалось) went and sat in a great circle in the glade (пошли и уселись в огромный круг на прогалине); and in the middle of the circle (и в середине этого круга) was a great grey wolf (находился огромный серый волк). He spoke to them in the dreadful language of the Wargs (он разговаривал с ними на ужасном языке Варгов). Gandalf understood it (Гэндальф понимал его; to understand). Bilbo did not (Бильбо не понимал), but it sounded terrible to him (но он звучал для него ужасно), and as if all their talk (и /ему казалось/, словно весь их разговор) was about cruel and wicked things (был о жестоких и злобных вещах), as it was (каким он и был). Every now and then (время от времени) all the Wargs in the circle (все Варги, сидевшие в кругу) would answer their grey chief all together (отвечали своему серому вождю все вместе), and their dreadful clamour (и их ужасные крики) almost made the hobbit fall out of his pine-tree (почти что свалили хоббита с сосны).


guard [gQ: d] sniffle ['snIf (q) l] hundred ['hAndrqd] circle ['sq: k (q) l] clamour ['klxmq]


This glade in the ring of trees was evidently a meeting-place of the wolves. More and more kept coming in. They left guards at the foot of the tree in which Dori and Bilbo were, and then went sniffling about till they had smelt out every tree that had anyone in it. These they guarded too, while all the rest (hundreds and hundreds it seemed) went and sat in a great circle in the glade; and in the middle of the circle was a great grey wolf. He spoke to them in the dreadful language of the Wargs. Gandalf understood it. Bilbo did not, but it sounded terrible to him, and as if all their talk was about cruel and wicked things, as it was. Every now and then all the Wargs in the circle would answer their grey chief all together, and their dreadful clamour almost made the hobbit fall out of his pine-tree.


I will tell you what Gandalf heard (я расскажу вам, что услышал Гэндальф), though Bilbo did not understand it (хотя Бильбо и не понял этого). The Wargs and the goblins (Варги и гоблины) often helped one another (часто помогали друг другу) in wicked deeds (в злобных проделках). Goblins do not usually venture very far from their mountains (гоблины обычно не отваживаются отправляться очень далеко от своих гор), unless they are driven out (если только их не изгоняют) and are looking for new homes (и они не вынуждены искать новые жилища), or are marching to war (или не маршируют на войну) (which I am glad to say has not happened for a long while (которой, как я рад сообщить, не случалось уже долгое время)). But in those days (но в те дни) they sometimes used to go on raids (они иногда, бывало, совершали набеги), especially to get food (особенно, чтобы добыть пищи) or slaves to work for them (или рабов, чтобы те работали на них). Then they often got the Wargs to help (тогда они часто призывали Варгов на помощь) and shared the plunder with them (и делили добычу с ними). Sometimes they rode on wolves (иногда они передвигались верхом на волках; to ride — скакать, ехать верхом) like men do on horses (как люди на лошадях). Now it seemed (теперь, как оказалось) that a great goblin-raid had been planned for that very night (что грандиозный гоблиновский налет был запланирован на эту самую ночь). The Wargs had come to meet the goblins (Варги пришли, чтобы встретить гоблинов) and the goblins were late (а гоблины опоздали). The reason, no doubt, was the death of the Great Goblin (причиной, без сомнения, была смерть Великого Гоблина), and all the excitement caused by the dwarves (и все те волнения, вызванные гномами) and Bilbo and the wizard (и Бильбо, и волшебником), for whom they were probably still hunting (которых они, возможно, все еще разыскивали; to hunt — охотиться, ловить).


raid [reId] slave [sleIv] cause [kO: z]


I will tell you what Gandalf heard, though Bilbo did not understand it. The Wargs and the goblins often helped one another in wicked deeds. Goblins do not usually venture very far from their mountains, unless they are driven out and are looking for new homes, or are marching to war (which I am glad to say has not happened for a long while). But in those days they sometimes used to go on raids, especially to get food or slaves to work for them. Then they often got the Wargs to help and shared the plunder with them. Sometimes they rode on wolves like men do on horses. Now it seemed that a great goblin — raid had been planned for that very night. The Wargs had come to meet the goblins and the goblins were late. The reason, no doubt, was the death of the Great Goblin, and all the excitement caused by the dwarves and Bilbo and the wizard, for whom they were probably still hunting.


In spite of the dangers (несмотря на опасности) of this far land (этой далекой земли) bold men had of late been making their way back into it (храбрые люди, в последнее время, начинали возвращаться на нее) from the South (с Юга), cutting down trees (вырубая леса), and building themselves places to live in (и строя себе дома для жилья) among the more pleasant woods in the valleys (среди более приятных лесов в долинах) and along the river-shores (и вдоль берегов рек). There were many of them (их было много), and they were brave and well-armed (и они были смелыми и хорошо вооруженными), and even the Wargs dared not attack them (и даже Варги не осмеливались нападать на них) if there were many together (если их было много /вместе/), or in the bright day (или среди бела дня: «или в яркий день»). But now they had planned (но теперь они запланировали) with the goblins’ help (с помощью гоблинов) to come by night upon some of the villages (напасть под покровом ночи на несколько деревень) nearest the mountains (которые располагались ближе всего к горам). If their plan had been carried out (если бы их план удался; to carry out — доводить до конца, выполнять), there would have been none left there next day (то ни одной бы не осталось к следующему дню); all would have been killed (все были бы убиты) except the few (за исключением нескольких /человек/) the goblins kept from the wolves (которых гоблины бы спрятали от волков) and carried back as prisoners to their caves (и увели назад, в качестве пленников в свои пещеры).


village ['vIlIdZ] well-armed [wel'Q: md] prisoner ['prIz (q) nq]


In spite of the dangers of this far land bold men had of late been making their way back into it from the South, cutting down trees, and building themselves places to live in among the more pleasant woods in the valleys and along the river-shores. There were many of them, and they were brave and well-armed, and even the Wargs dared not attack them if there were many together, or in the bright day. But now they had planned with the goblins’ help to come by night upon some of the villages nearest the mountains. If their plan had been carried out, there would have been none left there next day; all would have been killed except the few the goblins kept from the wolves and carried back as prisoners to their caves.


This was dreadful talk to listen to (это был ужасный разговор, и его ужасно было слушать), not only because of the brave woodmen (и не только из-за храбрых лесорубов) and their wives and children (и их жен и детей), but also because of the danger (но также и из-за опасности) which now threatened Gandalf and his friends (которая теперь угрожала Гэндальфу и его друзьям). The Wargs were angry and puzzled (Варги были рассержены и сбиты с толку) at finding them here in their very meeting-place (обнаружив их здесь, на самом месте их собраний). They thought they were friends of the woodmen (они подумали, что те были друзьями лесорубов), and were come to spy on them (и пришли, чтобы шпионить за ними), and would take news of their plans down into the valleys (и донести новости об их планах назад, в долины), and then the goblins and the wolves would have to fight a terrible battle (и тогда гоблинам и волкам придется сражаться в ужасной битве) instead of capturing prisoners (вместе того, чтобы захватить пленников) and devouring people (и сожрать людей) waked suddenly from their sleep (разбуженных внезапно ото сна). So the Wargs had no intention of going away (итак, у Варгов не было ни малейшего намерения уйти) and letting the people up the trees escape (и позволить этим людям на деревьях сбежать), at any rate not until morning (в любом случае, до наступления утра). And long before that (и задолго до этого), they said (сказали они), goblin soldiers would be coming down from the mountains (солдаты гоблинов спустятся с гор); and goblins can climb trees (а гоблины могут лазить по деревьям), or cut them down (или срубить их). Now you can understand why Gandalf (теперь вам понятно, почему Гэндальфу), listening to their growling and yelping (слушавшему их рычание и тявканье), began to be dreadfully afraid (стало ужасно страшно), wizard though he was (хотя он и был волшебником), and to feel that they were in a very bad place (и /начал/ чувствовать, что они оказались в очень плохом месте), and had not yet escaped at all (и им еще вовсе не удалось избежать /опасности/).


woodman ['wVdmqn] threatened ['Tretnd] climb [klaIm] yelping ['jelpIN]


This was dreadful talk to listen to, not only because of the brave woodmen and their wives and children, but also because of the danger which now threatened Gandalf and his friends. The Wargs were angry and puzzled at finding them here in their very meeting-place. They thought they were friends of the woodmen, and were come to spy on them, and would take news of their plans down into the valleys, and then the goblins and the wolves would have to fight a terrible battle instead of capturing prisoners and devouring people waked suddenly from their sleep. So the Wargs had no intention of going away and letting the people up the trees escape, at any rate not until morning. And long before that, they said, goblin soldiers would be coming down from the mountains; and goblins can climb trees, or cut them down. Now you can understand why Gandalf, listening to their growling and yelping, began to be dreadfully afraid, wizard though he was, and to feel that they were in a very bad place, and had not yet escaped at all.


All the same (тем не менее) he was not going to let them have it all their own way (он не собирался позволить им поступать, как им захочется: «иметь это полностью их собственным путем/способом»), though he could not do very much (хотя он и не мог сделать многое) stuck up in a tall tree (застряв на высоком дереве) with wolves all round on the ground below (с волками, окружившими /его/ на земле внизу). He gathered the huge pinecones (он собрал огромные сосновые шишки) from the branches of his tree (с веток /своего/ дерева). Then he set one alight with bright blue fire (затем он зажег одну ярким синим огнем; alight — горящий), and threw it whizzing down (и бросил ее со свистом вниз; to whiz (z) — просвистеть; проноситься со свистом) among the circle of the wolves (в круг волков). It struck one on the back (она ударила одного по спине; to strike), and immediately his shaggy coat caught fire (и немедленно его косматая шкура запылала: «подхватила огонь»; to catch fire — загореться), and he was leaping to and fro (и он стал прыгать взад и вперед: «сюда и обратно») yelping horribly (ужасно скуля). Then another came and another (затем последовала другая, и еще одна), one in blue flames (одна синего пламени), one in red (одна красного), another in green (другая зеленого). They burst on the ground (они разрывались на земле) in the middle of the circle (в середине круга) and went off in coloured sparks and smoke (и разлетались цветными искрами и дымом). A specially large one (особенно большая шишка) hit the chief wolf on the nose (ударила вожака: «главного волка» по носу), and he leaped in the air ten feet (и он подскочил в воздух на десять футов), and then rushed round and round the circle (и затем бросился /кругом и кругом/ по кругу) biting and snapping even at the other wolves (кусая и хватая даже других волков) in his anger and fright (в ярости и испуге).


pine cone ['paInkqVn] immediately [I'mi: dIqtlI] coloured ['kAlqd]


All the same he was not going to let them have it all their own way, though he could not do very much stuck up in a tall tree with wolves all round on the ground below. He gathered the huge pinecones from the branches of his tree. Then he set one alight with bright blue fire, and threw it whizzing down among the circle of the wolves. It struck one on the back, and immediately his shaggy coat caught fire, and he was leaping to and fro yelping horribly. Then another came and another, one in blue flames, one in red, another in green. They burst on the ground in the middle of the circle and went off in coloured sparks and smoke. A specially large one hit the chief wolf on the nose, and he leaped in the air ten feet, and then rushed round and round the circle biting and snapping even at the other wolves in his anger and fright.


The dwarves and Bilbo shouted and cheered (гномы и Бильбо закричали и обрадовались). The rage of the wolves was terrible to see (на ярость волков было ужасно смотреть), and the commotion they made filled all the forest (и то беспокойство, что они создали, наполнило весь лес). Wolves are afraid of fire (волки боятся огня) at all times (в любое время), but this was a most horrible and uncanny fire (но это был самый ужасный и жуткий огонь). If a spark got in their coats (если искра попадала на их шкуры) it stuck (она впивалась /в нее/) and burned into them (и жгла их), and unless they rolled over quick (и если им не удавалось быстро перекатиться) they were soon all in flames (то вскоре они полностью были в пламени). Very soon (очень скоро) all about the glade (по всей поляне) wolves were rolling over and over (волки перекатывались и перекатывались) to put out the sparks (чтобы избавиться от искр) on their backs (на своих спинах), while those that were burning (пока те, что горели) were running about (бегали бесцельно вокруг) howling and setting others alight (завывая и поджигая других), till their own friends chased them away (до тех самых пор, пока их собственные друзья не выгоняли их; to chase — гнаться, преследовать; охотиться; выгонять) and they fled off down the slopes (и они не спасались бегством вниз по склонам; to flee — убегать, спасаться бегством) crying and yammering (вопя и стеная) and looking for water (и разыскивая воду).

“What’s all this uproar in the forest tonight (что означает весь этот гвалт в лесу этой ночью)?” said the Lord of the Eagles (сказал Повелитель Орлов). He was sitting, black in the moonlight (он сидел, черный в лунном свете), on the top of a lonely pinnacle of rock (на вершине одинокой остроконечной скалы) at the eastern edge of the mountains (на восточном краю гор). “I hear wolves’ voices (я слышу голоса волков)! Are the goblins at mischief in the woods (что, гоблины безобразничают в лесах)?”


cheer [tSIq] commotion [kq'mqVS (q) n] yammer ['jxmq] mischief ['mIstSIf]


The dwarves and Bilbo shouted and cheered. The rage of the wolves was terrible to see, and the commotion they made filled all the forest. Wolves are afraid of fire at all times, but this was a most horrible and uncanny fire. If a spark got in their coats it stuck and burned into them, and unless they rolled over quick they were soon all in flames. Very soon all about the glade wolves were rolling over and over to put out the sparks on their backs, while those that were burning were running about howling and setting others alight, till their own friends chased them away and they fled off down the slopes crying and yammering and looking for water.

“What’s all this uproar in the forest tonight?” said the Lord of the Eagles. He was sitting, black in the moonlight, on the top of a lonely pinnacle of rock at the eastern edge of the mountains. “I hear wolves’ voices! Are the goblins at mischief in the woods?”


He swept up into the air (он устремился вверх, в небо: «воздух»), and immediately two of his guards (и немедленно же двое его стражников) from the rocks at either hand (со скал, с каждой стороны) leaped up to follow him (подпрыгнули вверх, чтобы последовать за ним). They circled up in the sky (они кружили в небе) and looked down upon the ring of the Wargs (и смотрели вниз, на кольцо Варгов), a tiny spot far far below (крошечную точку далеко, далеко внизу). But eagles have keen eyes (но у орлов очень острое зрение) and can see small things (и они могут видеть маленькие предметы) at a great distance (с большого расстояния). The lord of the eagles of the Misty Mountains (у Властелина Орлов Мглистых Гор) had eyes that could look at the sun unblinking (были такие глаза, что он мог смотреть на солнце, не моргая; to blink — моргать), and could see a rabbit moving on the ground (и мог увидеть зайца, двигающегося по земле) a mile below (с расстояния в милю /внизу/) even in the moonlight (даже при лунном свете). So though he could not see the people in the trees (поэтому, хотя он и не мог видеть людей на деревьях), he could make out the commotion among the wolves (он мог разобрать/разглядеть волнение среди волков) and see the tiny flashes of fire (и увидеть крошечные вспышки пламени), and hear the howling and yelping (и слышал вопли и завывания) come up faint from far beneath him (доносящиеся слабо откуда-то далеко под ним). Also he could see the glint of the moon (так же он мог видеть блеск луны) on goblin spears and helmets (на копьях и шлемах гоблинах), as long lines of the wicked folk crept down the hillsides (тогда как длинные цепочки злобных людишек ползли вниз по склонам холмов) from their gate (из своих ворот) and wound into the wood (и /извиваясь/ двигались в лес; to wind — наматывать (ся); обматывать (ся), обвивать (ся) ).


distance ['dIst (q) ns] unblinking [An'blINkIN] spear [spIq] helmet ['helmIt]


He swept up into the air, and immediately two of his guards from the rocks at either hand leaped up to follow him. They circled up in the sky and looked down upon the ring of the Wargs, a tiny spot far far below. But eagles have keen eyes and can see small things at a great distance. The lord of the eagles of the Misty Mountains had eyes that could look at the sun unblinking, and could see a rabbit moving on the ground a mile below even in the moonlight. So though he could not see the people in the trees, he could make out the commotion among the wolves and see the tiny flashes of fire, and hear the howling and yelping come up faint from far beneath him. Also he could see the glint of the moon on goblin spears and helmets, as long lines of the wicked folk crept down the hillsides from their gate and wound into the wood.


Eagles are not kindly birds (орлы не добренькие птицы). Some are cowardly and cruel (некоторые из них — трусливые и жестокие). But the ancient race (но древний род /орлов/) of the northern mountains (из северных гор) were the greatest of all birds (был величайшим из всех /родов/ птиц); they were proud (они были гордыми) and strong (и сильными) and noble-hearted (и благородными: «с благородным сердцем»). They did not love goblins (им не нравились гоблины), or fear them (и они не боялись их). When they took any notice of them at all (когда они вообще замечали их) (which was seldom (что случалось редко), for they did not eat such creatures (потому как они не едят таких существ)), they swooped on them (они внезапно налетали на них) and drove them shrieking back to their caves (и гнали их с криками назад, к их пещерам), and stopped whatever wickedness they were doing (и пресекали любые злодеяния, которые те делали; wicked — злой; wickedness — злая выходка, злой поступок). The goblins hated the eagles (гоблины ненавидели орлов) and feared them (и боялись их), but could not reach their lofty seats (но не могли добраться до их высоких гнезд; lofty — очень высокий /не о людях/: lofty mountains — высокие горы; seat — сиденье; место), or drive them from the mountains (или изгнать их из гор).


cowardly ['kaVqdlI] creature ['kri: tSq] hate [heIt] fear [fIq]


Eagles are not kindly birds. Some are cowardly and cruel. But the ancient race of the northern mountains were the greatest of all birds; they were proud and strong and noble-hearted. They did not love goblins, or fear them. When they took any notice of them at all (which was seldom, for they did not eat such creatures), they swooped on them and drove them shrieking back to their caves, and stopped whatever wickedness they were doing. The goblins hated the eagles and feared them, but could not reach their lofty seats, or drive them from the mountains.


Tonight the Lord of the Eagles was filled with curiosity (сегодня ночью Повелитель Орлов был переполнен любопытством) to know what was afoot (и хотел знать, что же затевалось; afoot — в движении, в действии); so he summoned many other eagles to him (и тогда он призвал много других орлов к себе), and they flew away from the mountains (и они слетели с гор; to fly (flew, flown) — летать), and slowly circling ever round and round (и медленно кружась) they came down, down, down (они опускались вниз, вниз, вниз) towards the ring of the wolves (по направлению к кольцу волков) and the meeting-place of the goblins (и месту встречи с гоблинами).

A very good thing too (это тоже было очень хорошим делом)! Dreadful things had been going on down there (ужасные вещи свершались там внизу). The wolves that had caught fire (те волки, что загорелись) and fled into the forest (и убежали в лес) had set it alight in several places (подожгли его в нескольких местах). It was high summer (стояла середина лета; high summer — разгар лета: «высокое лето»), and on this eastern side of the mountains (и на восточной стороне гор) there had been little rain for some time (некоторое время было мало дождей). Yellowing bracken (желтеющие папоротники), fallen branches (опавшие ветви), deep-piled pine-needles (высокие кучи сосновых иголок; deep — глубокий, широкий), and here and there dead trees (здесь и там сухие деревья; dead — мертвый), were soon in flames (вскоре были /объяты/ пламенем). All round the clearing of the Wargs (везде вокруг прогалины Варгов) fire was leaping (прыгал огонь).


curiosity [kjV (q) rI'OsItI] alight [q'laIt] caught [kO: t]


Tonight the Lord of the Eagles was filled with curiosity to know what was afoot; so he summoned many other eagles to him, and they flew away from the mountains, and slowly circling ever round and round they came down, down, down towards the ring of the wolves and the meeting-place of the goblins. A very good thing too! Dreadful things had been going on down there. The wolves that had caught fire and fled into the forest had set it alight in several places. It was high summer, and on this eastern side of the mountains there had been little rain for some time. Yellowing bracken, fallen branches, deep-piled pine-needles, and here and there dead trees, were soon in flames. All round the clearing of the Wargs fire was leaping.


But the wolf-guards did not leave the trees (но волки-стражники не покидали деревья). Maddened and angry (обезумевшие и рассерженные) they were leaping and howling round the trunks (они подпрыгивали и завывали вокруг стволов деревьев), and cursing the dwarves (и проклинали гоблинов) in their horrible language (на своем ужасном языке), with their tongues hanging out (их языки /были при этом/ высунуты), and their eyes shining as red and fierce as the flames (и их глаза светились таким же красным /светом/ и такой же свирепостью, как и пламя). Then suddenly goblins came running up yelling (затем внезапно появились гоблины, которые бежали и пронзительно кричали). They thought a battle with the woodmen was going on (они думали, что идет битва с лесорубами); but they soon learned what had really happened (но они вскоре поняли, что же произошло на самом деле; to learn — изучать, учить). Some of them actually sat down and laughed (некоторые из них даже сели и захохотали). Others waved their spears (другие замахали своими копьями) and clashed the shafts (и забряцали древками) against their shields (о свои щиты). Goblins are not afraid of fire (гоблины не боятся огня), and they soon had a plan (и вскоре у них был план) which seemed to them most amusing (который им показался очень забавным; to amuse — забавлять). Some got all the wolves together in a pack (некоторые из них собрали всех волков в одну стаю). Some stacked fern (некоторые сложили в кучи папоротник) and brushwood (и валежник) round the tree-trunks (вокруг стволов деревьев). Others rushed round (другие разбежались вокруг) and stamped and beat (и топали ногами и стучали), and beat and stamped (и хлопали и топали), until nearly all the flames were put out (до тех пор, пока все пламя не было потушено) — but they did not put out the fire (но они не затушили тот огонь) nearest to the trees (который был ближе всего к деревьям) where the dwarves were (где были гномы).


fierce [fIqs] yell [jel] brushwood ['brASwVd]


But the wolf-guards did not leave the trees. Maddened and angry they were leaping and howling round the trunks, and cursing the dwarves in their horrible language, with their tongues hanging out, and their eyes shining as red and fierce as the flames. Then suddenly goblins came running up yelling. They thought a battle with the woodmen was going on; but they soon learned what had really happened. Some of them actually sat down and laughed. Others waved their spears and clashed the shafts against their shields. Goblins are not afraid of fire, and they soon had a plan which seemed to them most amusing. Some got all the wolves together in a pack. Some stacked fern and brushwood round the tree-trunks. Others rushed round and stamped and beat, and beat and stamped, until nearly all the flames were put out — but they did not put out the fire nearest to the trees where the dwarves were.


That fire they fed with leaves (этот огонь они поддерживали листьями; to feed (fed) — кормить, давать пищу) and dead branches and bracken (и сухими ветвями и папоротником). Soon they had a ring of smoke and flame (вскоре они создали кольцо из дыма и огня) all round the dwarves (вокруг гномов), a ring which they kept from spreading outwards (кольцо, которому они не позволяли распространяться дальше наружу; to keep (kept) — держать, хранить, беречь); but it closed slowly in (но оно медленно обступало /деревья/), till the running fire was licking the fuel (до тех пор, пока беглый огонь начал лизать топливо) piled under the trees (сваленное в кучи под деревьями). Smoke was in Bilbo’s eyes (дым стоял в глазах Бильбо), he could feel the heat of the flames (он мог чувствовать жар пламени); and through the reek he could see the goblins (и сквозь дым и копоть он мог видеть гоблинов) dancing round and round in a circle (танцующих в кругу) like people round a midsummer bonfire (подобно людям, /танцующим/ вокруг костра /в честь/ летнего солнцестояния). Outside the ring of dancing warriors (за пределами кольца танцующих воинов) with spears and axes (с копьями и секирами) stood the wolves at a respectful distance (стояли волки на почтительном расстоянии), watching and waiting (наблюдая и выжидая).


branch [brQ: ntS] outwards ['aVtwqdz] warrior ['wOrIq]


That fire they fed with leaves and dead branches and bracken. Soon they had a ring of smoke and flame all round the dwarves, a ring which they kept from spreading outwards; but it closed slowly in, till the running fire was licking the fuel piled under the trees. Smoke was in Bilbo’s eyes, he could feel the heat of the flames; and through the reek he could see the goblins dancing round and round in a circle like people round a midsummer bonfire. Outside the ring of dancing warriors with spears and axes stood the wolves at a respectful distance, watching and waiting.


He could hear the goblins beginning a horrible song (он мог слышать, как гоблины затянули: «начали» ужасную песню):

Fifteen birds in five firtrees (пятнадцать птичек на пяти елях /сидели/),

their feathers were fanned in a fiery breeze (их перья развивались на огненном ветерке)!

But, funny little birds (но, забавные мелкие пташки), they had no wings (нет у них крыльев)!

O what shall we do (о, что же нам сделать) with the funny little things (с забавными малютками)?

Roast ‘em alive (зажарить /на гриле/ их живьем; ‘em = them), or stew them in a pot (или потушим их в кастрюле), fry them (зажарим их), boil them (сварим их) and eat them hot (и съедим их горячими)?

Then they stopped (затем они остановились) and shouted out (и закричали): “Fly away little birds (улетайте, маленькие пташки)! Fly away if you can (улетайте, если сможете)! Come down little birds (спускайтесь, маленькие птички), or you will get roasted in your nests (или вы зажаритесь в своих гнездышках)! Sing, sing little birds (пойте, пойте, маленькие птички)! Why don’t you sing (почему же вы не поете)?”


breeze [bri: z] roast [rqVst] stew [stju: ] bird [bq: d] fir-tree ['fq: tri:]


He could hear the goblins beginning a horrible song:

Fifteen birds in five firtrees, their feathers were fanned in a fiery breeze! But, funny little birds, they had no wings! O what shall we do with the funny little things? Roast ‘em alive, or stew them in a pot, fry them, boil them and eat them hot?”

Then they stopped and shouted out: “Fly away little birds! Fly away if you can! Come down little birds, or you will get roasted in your nests! Sing, sing little birds! Why don’t you sing?”


“Go away (убирайтесь)! little boys (мальчишки)!” shouted Gandalf in answer (закричал Гэндальф в ответ). “It isn’t bird-nesting time (сейчас не время охотиться за птичьими гнездами; nest — гнездо). Also naughty little boys (а также, непослушные мальчишки) that play with fire (которые играют с огнем) get punished (всегда наказываются). ” He said it to make them angry (он сказал это, чтобы разозлить их), and to show them (и чтобы показать им) he was not frightened of them (что он не боялся их) — though of course he was (хотя, конечно же, он был испуган), wizard though he was (хотя он и был волшебником). But they took no notice (но они не обратили внимания), and they went on singing (и они продолжали петь).

Burn, burn tree and fern (горите, горите деревья и папоротник)!

Shrivel and scorch (иссушивайтесь и опаляйтесь)!

A fizzling torch (шипящий факел)

To light the night (который осветит ночь) for our delight (к нашему восторгу),

Ya hey (эй, эй)!

Bake and toast ‘em (запечем и подрумяним их), fry and roast ‘em (поджарим и зажарим их) till beards blaze (пока бороды не загорятся), and eyes glaze (и глаза не потускнеют; glaze — глазурь; to glaze — тускнеть, стекленеть /о глазах/); till hair smells (пока волосы не запахнут) and skins crack (и кожа не лопнет), fat melts (жир плавится), and bones black (и кости почернели) in cinders lie (в золе лежат) beneath the sky (под небесами)!

So dwarves shall die (так умрут гномы), and light the night for our delight (и зажгут ночь, к нашему восторгу), Ya hey (эй-эй)!

Ya-harri-hey!

Ya hoy (я-хой)!


naughty ['nO: tI] punish ['pAnIS] cinder ['sIndq]


“Go away! little boys!” shouted Gandalf in answer. “It isn’t bird-nesting

time. Also naughty little boys that play with fire get punished. ” He said it to make them angry, and to show them he was not frightened of them — though of course he was, wizard though he was. But they took no notice, and they went on singing.

Burn, burn tree and fern! Shrivel and scorch! A fizzling torch To light the night for our delight, Ya hey! Bake and toast ‘em, fry and roast ‘em till beards blaze, and eyes glaze; till hair smells and skins crack, fat melts, and bones black in cinders lie beneath the sky! So dwarves shall die, and light the night for our delight, Ya hey! Ya-harri-hey! Ya hoy!

And with that Ya hoy! (и с тем "я-хой") the flames were under Gandalf’s tree (пламя оказалось под деревом Гэндальфа). In a moment it spread to the others (в момент оно распространилось и на другие). The bark caught fire (кора загорелась), the lower branches cracked (и нижние ветви затрещали). Then Gandalf climbed to the top of his tree (тогда Гэндальф взобрался на вершину своего дерева). The sudden splendour flashed from his wand (затем внезапное сверкание блеснуло от его жезла) like lightning (подобно молнии), as he got ready (так как он приготовился) to spring down from on high (спрыгнуть вниз, с высоты) right among the spears of the goblins (прямо на копья гоблинов). That would have been the end of him (это было бы его концом), though he would probably have killed (хотя, он возможно, убил бы) many of them (многих из них) as he came hurtling down (когда он бросился бы стремительно вниз) like a thunderbolt (как удар молнии). But he never leaped (но от не успел прыгнуть).

Just at that moment (как раз в этот момент) the Lord of the Eagles swept down from above (Повелитель Орлов, камнем бросился вниз с высоты), seized him in his talons (схватил его в свои когти), and was gone (и был таков: «был ушедшим»).


splendour ['splendq] among [q'mAN] thunderbolt ['TAndqbqVlt]


And with that Ya hoy! the flames were under Gandalf’s tree. In a moment it spread to the others. The bark caught fire, the lower branches cracked. Then Gandalf climbed to the top of his tree. The sudden splendour flashed from his wand like lightning, as he got ready to spring down from on high right among the spears of the goblins. That would have been the end of him, though he would probably have killed many of them as he came hurtling down like a thunderbolt. But he never leaped.

Just at that moment the Lord of the Eagles swept down from above, seized him in his talons, and was gone.


There was a howl of anger and surprise (вопль гнева и удивления раздался) from the goblins (от гоблинов). Loud cried the Lord of the Eagles (громко закричал и Повелитель Орлов), to whom Gandalf had now spoken (с которым уже переговорил Гэндальф). Back swept the great birds that were with him (устремились назад большие птицы, что были с ним; to sweep — мести; нестись, мчаться, проноситься), and down they came (и вниз) like huge black shadows (как огромные черные тени). The wolves yammered and gnashed their teeth (волки завыли и заскрежетали зубами); the goblins yelled and stamped with rage (гоблины завопили и затопали ногами от ярости), and flung their heavy spears in the air in vain (и побросали свои тяжелые копья в воздух, все тщетно; to fling — бросать, метать, кидать, швырять, запускать). Over them swooped the eagles (над ними внезапно налетели орлы); the dark rush of their beating wings (напором своих темных бьющих крыльев) smote them to the floor (прибивали их к земле; to smite (smote, smitten) — ударять, бить; хлопать; шлепать) or drove them far away (или изгоняли их далеко); their talons tore at goblin faces (их длинные когти рвали физиономии гоблинов; to tear). Other birds flew to the tree-tops (другие птицы полетели к верхушкам деревьев) and seized the dwarves (и схватили гномов; to seize), who were scrambling up now as far as ever they dared to go (которые теперь вскарабкались уже так высоко, как только осмелились).


gnash [nxS] swoop [swu: p] eagle ['i: g (q) l] seize [si: z]


There was a howl of anger and surprise from the goblins. Loud cried the Lord of the Eagles, to whom Gandalf had now spoken. Back swept the great birds that were with him, and down they came like huge black shadows. The wolves yammered and gnashed their teeth; the goblins yelled and stamped with rage, and flung their heavy spears in the air in vain. Over them swooped the eagles; the dark rush of their beating wings smote them to the floor or drove them far away; their talons tore at goblin faces. Other birds flew to the tree-tops and seized the dwarves, who were scrambling up now as far as ever they dared to go.


Poor little Bilbo (бедного маленького Бильбо) was very nearly left behind again (почти что не позабыли снова)! He just managed to catch hold of Dori’s legs (ему как раз удалось ухватиться за ноги Дори), as Dori was borne off last of all (так как Дори был унесен /орлом/ самым последним из всех; to bear (bore, borne) off — уносить, отклоняться, отваливать); and they went together above the tumult and the burning (и они двинулись вместе над смятением и огнем), Bilbo swinging in the air (/при этом/ Бильбо болтался в воздухе) with his arms nearly breaking (и его руки чуть не поломались).

Now far below (теперь, далеко внизу) the goblins and the wolves were scattering far and wide in the woods (гоблины и волки рассыпались по всем лесам; far and wide — широко, повсюду: «далеко и широко»). A few eagles were still circling (несколько орлов все еще кружили; circle — круг; to circle — кружить) and sweeping above the battle-ground (и носились над полем битвы). The flames about the trees (пламя на деревьях) sprang suddenly up (внезапно взметнулось: «подпрыгнуло»; to spring) above the highest branches (над самыми высокими ветвями). They went up in crackling fire (и они занялись потрескивающим огнем). There was a sudden flurry of sparks and smoke (внезапно образовался шквал искр и дыма). Bilbo had escaped only just in time (Бильбо спасся как раз во время)!


behind [bI'haInd] tumult ['tju: mAlt] flurry ['flArI]


Poor little Bilbo was very nearly left behind again! He just managed to catch hold of Dori’s legs, as Dori was borne off last of all; and they went together above the tumult and the burning, Bilbo swinging in the air with his arms nearly breaking.

Now far below the goblins and the wolves were scattering far and wide in the woods. A few eagles were still circling and sweeping above the battle-ground. The flames about the trees sprang suddenly up above the highest branches. They went up in crackling fire. There was a sudden flurry of sparks and smoke. Bilbo had escaped only just in time!


Soon the light of the burning was faint below (вскоре свет от пожара стал тусклым /и остался/ внизу), a red twinkle on the black floor (красным огоньком на черной поверхности; floor — пол; дно); and they were high up in the sky (и они были высоко в небе), rising all the time (поднимаясь все время) in strong sweeping circles (сильными стремительными кругами). Bilbo never forgot that flight (Бильбо никогда не забыл этот полет), clinging onto Dori’s ankles (когда он вцепился в лодыжки Дори).

He moaned (он стонал) “my arms (мои руки), my arms!”; but Dori groaned (а Дори стонал) “my poor legs (мои бедные ноги), my poor legs!”

At the best of times (в лучшие времена) heights made Bilbo giddy (от высоты у Бильбо кружилась голова). He used to turn queer (ему обычно становилось дурно; to turn + прилагательное = становиться, делаться) if he looked over the edge of quite a little cliff (если он смотрел через край совершенно маленького утеса); and he had never liked ladders (и ему никогда не нравились лестницы), let alone trees (не говоря уже о деревьях) (never having had to escape from wolves before (/ведь/ ему никогда раньше не приходилось убегать от волков)). So you can imagine (и так вы можете себе представить) how his head swam now (как его голова шла кругом: «плыла» сейчас; to swim), when he looked down between his dangling toes (когда он смотрел вниз, между своих болтающихся носков; to dangle) and saw the dark lands (и видел темные земли) opening wide underneath him (широко открывавшиеся под ним), touched here and there with the light of the moon (тронутые здесь и там светом луны) on a hill-side rock (на горной породе на холме) or a stream in the plains (или в потоке на равнинах).


twinkle ['twINk (q) l] ankle ['xNk (q) l] dangling ['dxNglIN]


Soon the light of the burning was faint below, a red twinkle on the black floor; and they were high up in the sky, rising all the time in strong sweeping circles. Bilbo never forgot that flight, clinging onto Dori’s ankles.

He moaned “my arms, my arms!”; but Dori groaned “my poor legs, my poor legs!” At the best of times heights made Bilbo giddy. He used to turn queer if he looked over the edge of quite a little cliff; and he had never liked ladders, let alone trees (never having had to escape from wolves before). So you can imagine how his head swam now, when he looked down between his dangling toes and saw the dark lands opening wide underneath him, touched here and there with the light of the moon on a hill-side rock or a stream in the plains.


The pale peaks of the mountains were coming nearer (бледные пики гор приближались), moonlit spikes of rock sticking out of black shadows (залитые лунным светом острые выступы скалы выделялись на фоне черных теней; to stick — втыкать; to stick out — высовывать (ся); торчать). Summer or not (хотя и было лето: «лето или нет»), it seemed very cold (казалось, что очень холодно). He shut his eyes (он закрыл /свои/ глаза) and wondered (и задумался) if he could hold on any longer (сможет ли он продержаться /хоть сколько — нибудь/ дольше). Then he imagined (затем он представил) what would happen (что произойдет) if he did not (если он не сможет). He felt sick (он почувствовал тошноту). The flight ended only just in time for him (для него полет окончился как раз во время), just before his arms gave way (как раз перед тем, как его руки не выдержали; to give (gave, given) way — отступать, сдаваться, поддаваться). He loosed Dori’s ankles with a gasp (он отпустил лодыжки Дори с приглушенным стоном; gasp — затрудненное дыхание; удушье) and fell onto the rough platform (и упал на жесткую площадку) of an eagle’s eyrie (орлиного гнезда; eyrie = aerie — гнездо хищной птицы; особенно орлиное гнездо). There he lay without speaking (там он и лежал молча: «не разговаривая»), and his thoughts were a mixture (и его мысли представляли собой смесь) of surprise at being saved from the fire (удивления от того, что он был спасен от огня; to save — спасать), and fear lest he fell off that narrow place (и страха, как бы не упасть с этого узкого места) into the deep shadows (в те глубокие тени) on either side (с каждой стороны). He was feeling very queer indeed in his head (в его голове все действительно перемешалось: «он чувствовал очень странно на самом деле в голове») by this time (к тому времени) after the dreadful adventures of the last three days (после тех ужасных приключений последний трех дней) with next to nothing to eat (/и от того/, что он почти ничего не ел), and he found himself saying aloud (и, неожиданно для себя, он, оказалось, сказал вслух): “Now I know what a piece of bacon feels like (теперь я знаю, как чувствует себя кусок бекона) when it is suddenly picked out of the pan on a fork (когда его внезапно подцепляют со сковородки на вилке) and put back on the shelf (и кладут обратно на полку)!”


eyrie ['e (q) rI] platform ['plxtfO: m] mixture ['mIkstSq]


The pale peaks of the mountains were coming nearer, moonlit spikes of rock sticking out of black shadows. Summer or not, it seemed very cold. He shut his eyes and wondered if he could hold on any longer. Then he imagined what would happen if he did not. He felt sick. The flight ended only just in time for him, just before his arms gave way. He loosed Dori’s ankles with a gasp and fell onto the rough platform of an eagle’s eyrie. There he lay without speaking, and his thoughts were a mixture of surprise at being saved from the fire, and fear lest he fell off that narrow place into the deep shadows on either side. He was feeling very queer indeed in his head by this time after the dreadful adventures of the last three days with next to nothing to eat, and he found himself saying aloud: “Now I know what a piece of bacon feels like when it is suddenly picked out of the pan on a fork and put back on the shelf!”


“No you don’t (нет, не знаете)!” be heard Dori answering (услышал он ответ Дори), “because the bacon knows (потому, что бекон знает) that it will get back in the pan (что он вернется на сковородку) sooner or later (раньше или позже); and it is to be hoped we shan’t (а этого, будем надеяться, с нами не случится). Also eagles aren’t forks (к тому же, орлы — не вилки)!”

“O no (о, нет)! Not a bit like storks — (совсем не похожи на аистов; not a bit — нисколько, ничуть, like — подобный, похожий), forks I mean (/на/ вилки, я имею в виду), ” said Bilbo sitting up (сказал Бильбо, выпрямляясь) and looking anxiously at the eagle (и с волнением глядя на орла) who was perched close by (который взгромоздился совсем рядом). He wondered what other nonsense he had been saying (он задумался, какую же еще чепуху он наговорил), and if the eagle would think it rude (и подумает ли орел, что это было грубо). You ought not to be rude to an eagle (не следует грубить орлу), when you are only the size of a hobbit (когда ты всего размером с хоббита), and are up in his eyrie at night (и высоко, в его гнезде, и ночью)!

The eagle only sharpened his beak on a stone (орел же только поточил свой клюв о камень) and trimmed his feathers (и поправил свои перья) and took no notice (и не обратил внимания).


bacon ['beIkqn] rude [ru: d] sharpen ['SQ: pqn] feather ['feDq]


“No you don’t!” be heard Dori answering, “because the bacon knows that it will get back in the pan sooner or later; and it is to be hoped we shan’t. Also eagles aren’t forks!”

“O no! Not a bit like storks-forks, I mean, ” said Bilbo sitting up and looking anxiously at the eagle who was perched close by. He wondered what other nonsense he had been saying, and if the eagle would think it rude. You ought not to be rude to an eagle, when you are only the size of a hobbit, and are up in his eyrie at night!

The eagle only sharpened his beak on a stone and trimmed his feathers and took no notice.


Soon another eagle flew up (вскоре подлетел другой орел).

“The Lord of the Eagles bids you (Повелитель Орлов приказывает тебе) to bring your prisoners to the Great Shelf (принести своих пленников на Большой Выступ), ” he cried and was off again (прокричал он и снова улетел). The other seized Dori in his claws (другой /орел/ схватил Дори в свои когти) and flew away with him into the night (и улетел с ним в ночь) leaving Bilbo all alone (оставив Бильбо совсем одного). He had just strength to wonder (у него как раз /только и/ остались силы, чтобы размышлять) what the messenger had meant by ‘prisoners’ (что посланник имел в виду под "пленниками"), and to begin to think of being torn up for supper like a rabbit (и начал думать о том, что его разорвут на ужин, как кролика), when his own turn came (когда придет его очередь). The eagle came back (орел вернулся), seized him in his talons (схватил его своими когтями) by the back of his coat (за спинку его куртки), and swooped off (и полетел). This time he flew only a short way (на этот раз он пролетел только короткий путь). Very soon Bilbo was laid down (очень скоро Бильбо положили: «был положен»), trembling with fear (дрожащего от страха), on a wide shelf of rock on the mountain-side (на широкий выступ скалы на горном склоне). There was no path down on to it (к нему не было /другого/ пути) save by flying (только как по воздуху); and no path down off it (и никакого пути вниз с него) except by jumping over a precipice (за исключением прыжка в пропасть). There he found all the others (там он обнаружил всех остальных) sitting with their backs to the mountain wall (сидящих спинами к горной стене). The Lord of the Eagles also was there (Повелитель Орлов тоже был там) and was speaking to Gandalf (и разговаривал с Гэндальфом).


shelf [Self] messenger ['mes (q) ndZq] talon ['txlqn]


Soon another eagle flew up. “The Lord of the Eagles bids you to bring your prisoners to the Great Shelf, ” he cried and was off again. The other seized Dori in his claws and flew away with him into the night leaving Bilbo all alone. He had just strength to wonder what the messenger had meant by ‘prisoners, ’ and to begin to think of being torn up for supper like a rabbit, when his own turn came. The eagle came back, seized him in his talons by the back of his coat, and swooped off. This time he flew only a short way. Very soon Bilbo was laid down, trembling with fear, on a wide shelf of rock on the mountain — side. There was no path down on to it save by flying; and no path down off it except by jumping over a precipice. There he found all the others sitting with their backs to the mountain wall. The Lord of the Eagles also was there and was speaking to Gandalf.


It seemed (казалось) that Bilbo was not going to be eaten (что Бильбо все таки никто не собирался съесть) after all (несмотря ни на что). The wizard and the eagle-lord appeared to know one another slightly (волшебник и Повелитель орлов, казалось, слегка знали друг друга; toappear—появляться, производить впечатление), and even to be on friendly terms (и даже были в дружеских отношениях). As a matter of fact (на самом-то деле) Gandalf, who had often been in the mountains (Гэндальф, который часто бывал в горах), had once rendered a service to the eagles (однажды оказал услугу орлам) and healed their lord (и излечил их повелителя) from an arrow-wound (от раны, нанесенной стрелой; arrow — стрела). So you see ‘prisoners’ had meant (так что вы видите, что «пленники» означало) ‘prisoners rescued from the goblins’ only (только "пленники, спасенные от гоблинов"), and not captives of the eagles (а не пленников орлов). As Bilbo listened to the talk of Gandalf (когда Бильбо слушал разговор Гэндальфа) he realized that at last (он понял, что наконец) they were going to escape really and truly (что они спасутся в действительности и по-настоящему) from the dreadful mountains (из этих ужасных гор). He was discussing plans with the Great Eagle (он обсуждал планы с Великим Орлом) for carrying the dwarves and himself and Bilbo far away (о том, что бы унести гномов и его самого и Бильбо как можно дальше) and setting them down well on their journey (и ссадить их, чтобы они продолжили свое путешествие) across the plains below (через равнины внизу).


slightly ['slaItlI] arrow ['xrqV] wound [wu: nd]


It seemed that Bilbo was not going to be eaten after all. The wizard and the eagle-lord appeared to know one another slightly, and even to be on friendly terms. As a matter of fact Gandalf, who had often been in the mountains, had once rendered a service to the eagles and healed their lord from an arrow — wound. So you see ‘prisoners’ had meant ‘prisoners rescued from the goblins’ only, and not captives of the eagles. As Bilbo listened to the talk of Gandalf he realized that at last they were going to escape really and truly from the dreadful mountains. He was discussing plans with the Great Eagle for carrying the dwarves and himself and Bilbo far away and setting them down well on their journey across the plains below.


The Lord of the Eagles would not take them anywhere (Повелитель Орлов не хотел нести их никуда) near where men lived (где поблизости жили люди).

“They would shoot at us (они будут стрелять в нас) with their great bows of yew (из своих огромных луков из тисового дерева), ” he said, “for they would think (так как они подумают) we were after their sheep (что мы охотимся за их овцами). And at other times (и в другой раз) they would be right (они были бы правы). No! we are glad to cheat the goblins of their sport (мы готовы обмануть гоблинов и отнять их добычу; sport — охота; забава), and glad to repay our thanks to you (и рады отблагодарить вас; to repay — возвращать, отдавать, оплачивать), but we will not risk ourselves (но мы не будем рисковать собой) for dwarves (ради гномов) in the southward plains (/полетев к/ южным равнинам). ”

“Very well (очень хорошо), ” said Gandalf. “Take us where and as far as you will (тогда отнесите нас туда и так далеко, как вы сами пожелаете)! We are already deeply obliged to you (мы уже и так многим вам обязаны; deeply — глубоко, серьезно; to oblige — обязывать; делать одолжение, угождать). But in the meantime (а между тем) we are famished with hunger (мы умираем с голоду; to famish — голодать; страдать от голода, испытывать голод; умирать от голода). ”

“I am nearly dead of it (я почти что умер от него), ” said Bilbo in a weak little voice (сказал Бильбо слабым голоском) that nobody heard (который никто не услышал).


bow [bqV] yew [ju: ] obliged [q'blaIdZd]


The Lord of the Eagles would not take them anywhere near where men lived. “They would shoot at us with their great bows of yew, ” he said, “for they would think we were after their sheep. And at other times they would be right. No! we are glad to cheat the goblins of their sport, and glad to repay our thanks to you, but we will not risk ourselves for dwarves in the southward plains. ”

“Very well, ” said Gandalf. “Take us where and as far as you will! We are already deeply obliged to you. But in the meantime we are famished with hunger. ”

“I am nearly dead of it, ” said Bilbo in a weak little voice that nobody heard.


“That can perhaps be mended (это, пожалуй, можно исправить), ” said the Lord of the Eagles (сказал Повелитель Орлов). Later on (позже) you might have seen a bright fire on the shelf of rock (вы могли бы увидеть яркий огонь на выступе скалы) and the figures of the dwarves round it (и фигуры гномов вокруг него) cooking and making a fine roasting smell (которые что-то готовили и распространяли прекрасный запах жаренья). The eagles had brought up dry boughs for fuel (орлы принесли туда сухих сучьев в качестве топлива), and they had brought rabbits (и также они принесли кроликов), hares (зайцев), and a small sheep (и маленького барана). The dwarves managed all the preparations (гномы справились со всеми приготовлениями; to manage). Bilbo was too weak to help (Бильбо был слишком слаб, чтобы помогать), and anyway he was not much good (и, в любом случае, он был не очень-то хорош) at skinning rabbits (в свежевании кроликов) or cutting up meat (или срезании мяса), being used to having it delivered by the butcher (так как он привык получать все это от мясника; to deliver — доставлять; поставлять) all ready to cook (все уже готовое к приготовлению). Gandalf, too, was lying down (Гэндальф тоже прилег) after doing his part in setting the fire going (после того, как сделал свое дело и разжег огонь), since Oin and Gloin had lost their tinder-boxes (так как Ойн и Глойн потеряли свои трутницы /коробочки, в которую клали трут, использовавшийся для высекания огня /; tinder — трут; box — коробка). (Dwarves have never taken to matches even yet (гномы так и не привыкли к спичкам, даже сейчас; to take to smth. — пристраститься, проявлять интерес, приспосабливаться)


perhaps [pq'hxps] bough [baV] preparation [prepq'reIS (q) n] butcher ['bVtSq]


“That can perhaps be mended, ” said the Lord of the Eagles. Later on you might have seen a bright fire on the shelf of rock and the figures of the dwarves round it cooking and making a fine roasting smell. The eagles had brought up dry boughs for fuel, and they had brought rabbits, hares, and a small sheep. The dwarves managed all the preparations. Bilbo was too weak to help, and anyway he was not much good at skinning rabbits or cutting up meat, being used to having it delivered by the butcher all ready to cook. Gandalf, too, was lying down after doing his part in setting the fire going, since Oin and Gloin had lost their tinder-boxes. (Dwarves have never taken to matches even yet.)


So ended the adventures of the Misty Mountains (так закончились приключения в Мглистых Горах). Soon Bilbo’s stomach was feeling full (вскоре желудок Бильбо был полон) and comfortable again (и снова приятно себя ощущал), and he felt he could sleep contentedly (и он почувствовал, что он может удовлетворенно уснуть), though really he would have liked a loaf and butter (хотя, на самом деле, он предпочел бы булку с маслом) better than bits of meat toasted on sticks (а не кусочки мяса, поджаренные на палочках). He slept curled up on the hard rock (он уснул, свернувшись калачиком на жесткой скале) more soundly than ever (более крепко, чем когда либо) he had done on his feather-bed (он спал на своей перинке; feather — перо) in his own little hole at home (в своей собственной маленькой норке дома). But all night (но всю ночь) he dreamed of his own house (ему снился его собственный дом) and wandered in his sleep into all his different rooms (и он бродил во сне по всем различным комнаткам) looking for something that he could not find (ища что-то, что он не мог ни найти) nor remember what it looked like (ни вспомнить, как это что-то выглядело).


loaf [lqVf] curl [kq: l] feather ['feDq]


So ended the adventures of the Misty Mountains. Soon Bilbo’s stomach was feeling full and comfortable again, and he felt he could sleep contentedly, though really he would have liked a loaf and butter better than bits of meat toasted on sticks. He slept curled up on the hard rock more soundly than ever he had done on his feather-bed in his own little hole at home. But all night he dreamed of his own house and wandered in his sleep into all his different rooms looking for something that he could not find nor remember what it looked like.