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

Chapter 5. Riddles in the Dark (Глава 5. Загадки в темноте)

When Bilbo opened his eyes (когда Бильбо открыл глаза), he wondered if he had (он задумался, а открыл ли он их); for it was just as dark as with them shut (так как было так же темно, как и при закрытых глазах). No one was anywhere near him (никогошеньки рядом с ним не было). Just imagine his fright (только вообразите его испуг)! He could hear nothing (он ничего не слышал), see nothing (ничего не видел), and he could feel nothing (и не мог ничего чувствовать) except the stone of the floor (за исключением каменного пола: «камня пола»).

Very slowly he got up (очень медленно он поднялся) and groped about on all fours (и стал двигаться ощупью на четвереньках), till he touched the wall of the tunnel (пока он не коснулся стены туннеля); but neither up nor down it could he find anything (но ни внизу, ни вверху он не мог найти ничего): nothing at all (совершенно ничего), no sign of goblins (никаких признаков гоблинов), no sign of dwarves (никаких признаков гномов). His head was swimming (его голова кружилась; to swim — плавать), and he was far from certain (и он далеко не был уверен) even of the direction they had been going in (даже в том направлении, в котором они двигались) when he had his fall (когда он упал). He guessed as well as he could (он сделал предположение, насколько смог), and crawled along for a good way (и прополз приличный путь = расстояние), till suddenly his hand met (до тех пор, пока внезапно его рука не нащупала /нечто/; to meet (met) — встречаться, натолкнуться) what felt like a tiny ring of cold metal (что ощущалось, как крошечное колечко из холодного метала) lying on the floor of the tunnel (лежащее на полу в туннеле). It was a turning point in his career (это был поворотный момент в его карьере), but he did not know it (но он не знал этого /в тот момент/).

imagine [ɪˈmædʒɪn] crawl [krɔ: l] lying [ˈlaɪɪŋ]

When Bilbo opened his eyes, he wondered if he had; for it was just as dark as with them shut. No one was anywhere near him. Just imagine his fright! He could hear nothing, see nothing, and he could feel nothing except the stone of the floor.

Very slowly he got up and groped about on all fours, till he touched the wall of the tunnel; but neither up nor down it could he find anything: nothing at all, no sign of goblins, no sign of dwarves. His head was swimming, and he was far from certain even of the direction they had been going in when he had his fall. He guessed as well as he could, and crawled along for a good way, till suddenly his hand met what felt like a tiny ring of cold metal lying on the floor of the tunnel. It was a turning point in his career, but he did not know it.

He put the ring in his pocket (он положил кольцо в свой карман) almost without thinking (почти не задумываясь); certainly it did not seem of any particular use at the moment (конечно же, оно казалось совершенно бесполезным в этот самый момент: «казалось без особенного использования/без особенной пользы»). He did not go much further (он не очень-то далеко продвинулся), but sat down on the cold floor (но присел на холодный пол) and gave himself up to complete miserableness (и предался/отдался полному отчаянию: «ощущению своего несчастного положения»; miserable — жалкий, несчастный), for a long while (довольно долгое время). He thought of himself frying bacon and eggs (он думал о том, как он сам поджаривал яичницу с беконом) in his own kitchen at home (на своей собственной кухне, дома) — for he could feel inside (так как он мог чувствовать где-то внутри себя) that it was high time (что было уже самое время) for some meal or other (для того или иного приема пищи); but that only made him miserabler (но это только сделало его еще более несчастным).

He could not think what to do (он не мог придумать, что же делать); nor could he think what had happened (не мог он подумать и о том, что же случилось); or why he had been left behind (или из-за чего он был оставлен /один/); or why, if he had been left behind (или почему, если он уж был оставлен позади всех), the goblins had not caught him (гоблины не поймали его; to catch); or even why his head was so sore (и даже почему его голова так сильно болела). The truth was he had been lying quiet (по правде, он пролежал там тихо), out of sight and out of mind (/как говорится/ с глаз долой из сердца вон), in a very dark corner for a long while (в очень темном углу очень долгое время).

further [ˈfǝ: ðǝ] miserableness [ˈmɪz (ǝ) rǝb (ǝ) lnɪs] frying [ˈfraɪɪŋ]

He put the ring in his pocket almost without thinking; certainly it did not seem of any particular use at the moment. He did not go much further, but sat down on the cold floor and gave himself up to complete miserableness, for a long while. He thought of himself frying bacon and eggs in his own kitchen at home — for he could feel inside that it was high time for some meal or other; but that only made him miserabler.

He could not think what to do; nor could he think what had happened; or why he had been left behind; or why, if he had been left behind, the goblins had not caught him; or even why his head was so sore. The truth was he had been lying quiet, out of sight and out of mind, in a very dark corner for a long while.

After some time (после какого-то времени) he felt for his pipe (он стал нащупывать свою трубку). It was not broken (она не была сломана), and that was something (и это было уже кое-что). Then he felt for his pouch (затем он нащупал свой кисет), and there was some tobacco in it (и в нем было еще немного табаку), and that was something more (и это было уже кое-что больше). Then he felt for matches (затем он нащупывал спички) and he could not find any at all (и он не мог найти ни одной, совсем ни одной), and that shattered his hopes completely (и это разбило его надежды полностью). Just as well for him (пожалуй, и к лучшему для него), as he agreed (пришел он к такому мнению) when he came to his senses (когда он пришел в себя; sense — чувство, восприятие). Goodness knows what the striking of matches (Бог его знает, что зажжение спички) and the smell of tobacco (и запах табака) would have brought on him (могли бы навлечь на него) out of dark holes (из темных нор) in that horrible place (в том ужасном месте). Still at the moment (все же, в тот же самый момент) he felt very crushed (он чувствовал себя совершенно раздавленным). But in slapping all his pockets (но, пока он хлопал по всем своим карманам) and feeling all round himself for matches (и ощупывал себя с головы до ног в поисках спичек; all round — кругом, со всех сторон) his hand came on the hilt of his little sword (его рука угодила на рукоятку его маленького меча) — the little dagger (того самого маленького кинжала) that he got from the trolls (который он получил от троллей), and that he had quite forgotten (и о котором он вполне забыл); nor do the goblins seem to have noticed it (да и гоблины, как оказалось не заметили его), as he wore it inside his breeches (так как он носил его внутри бриджей/штанов).

pouch [paʋtʃ] crushed [krʌʃt] breeches [ˈbri: tʃɪz, ˈbrɪtʃɪz]

After some time he felt for his pipe. It was not broken, and that was something. Then he felt for his pouch, and there was some tobacco in it, and that was something more. Then he felt for matches and he could not find any at all, and that shattered his hopes completely. Just as well for him, as he agreed when he came to his senses. Goodness knows what the striking of matches and the smell of tobacco would have brought on him out of dark holes in that horrible place. Still at the moment he felt very crushed. But in slapping all his pockets and feeling all round himself for matches his hand came on the hilt of his little sword — the little dagger that he got from the trolls, and that he had quite forgotten; nor do the goblins seem to have noticed it, as he wore it inside his breeches.

Now he drew it out (теперь он вытащил его наружу). It shone pale and dim before his eyes (он светил бледным и тусклым светом перед его глазами).

“So it is an elvish blade, too (так, это тоже эльфовский клинок), ” he thought (думал он); “and goblins are not very near (и гоблины не очень-то близко), and yet not far enough (но и не очень-то далеко). ”

But somehow he was comforted (но, почему-то, он почувствовал себя успокоенным). It was rather splendid (это было довольно блестяще) to be wearing a blade made in Gondolin (носить клинок, сделанный в Гондолине) for the goblin-wars (для войн с гоблинами) of which so many songs had sung (о которых было спето столько много песен); and also he had noticed (и также он заметил) that such weapons made a great impression on goblins (что такие орудия производили большое впечатление на гоблинов) that came upon them suddenly (которое настигало их внезапно = приводило в смятение); to come upon smb., smth. — натолкнуться, атаковать кого-либо).

“Go back (вернуться)?” he thought (подумал он). “No good at all (совершенно бессмысленно)! Go sideways (пойти в сторону)? Impossible (невозможно)! Go forward (пойти вперед)? Only thing to do (единственное, что можно сделать)! On we go (продолжаем идти)!” So up he got (итак, он поднялся на ноги), and trotted along (и потрусил) with his little sword held in front of him (держа свой маленький меч перед собой) and one hand feeling the wall (и другой рукой ощупывая стену), and his heart all of a patter and a pitter (и его сердце затрепетало; pitter-patter — частое легкое постукивание).

sideways [ˈsaɪdweɪz] weapon [ˈwepǝn] impossible [ɪmˈpɔsǝb (ǝ) l]

Now he drew it out. It shone pale and dim before his eyes. “So it is an elfish blade, too, ” he thought; “and goblins are not very near, and yet not far enough. ”

But somehow he was comforted. It was rather splendid to be wearing a blade made in Gondolin for the goblin-wars of which so many songs had sung; and also he had noticed that such weapons made a great impression on goblins that came upon them suddenly.

“Go back?” he thought. “No good at all! Go sideways? Impossible! Go forward? Only thing to do! On we go!” So up he got, and trotted along with his little sword held in front of him and one hand feeling the wall, and his heart all of a patter and a pitter.

Now certainly Bilbo was (теперь точно уж Бильбо оказался) in what is called a tight place (в том, что называется тяжелым положением: «тесным местом»). But you must remember (но вы должны помнить) it was not quite so tight for him (что для него оно не было таким же тесным) as it would have been for me or for you (как оно бы было для меня или для вас). Hobbits are not quite like ordinary people (хоббиты не совсем похожи на обычных людей); and after all (и, в конце концов) if their holes are nice cheery places (если их норки — это прекрасные и радостные места) and properly aired (и хорошо проветренные), quite different from the tunnels of the goblins (и совершенно отличаются от тунеллей гоблинов), still they are more used to tunnelling than we are (все равно, они более привычны к туннелям, чем мы), and they do not easily lose their sense of direction underground (и они не так то просто теряют свое чувство направления под землей) — not when their heads have recovered from being bumped (особенно когда их головы отошли от удара; to recover — вновь обретать; возвращать, получать обратно; оправляться, приходить в себя). Also they can move very quietly (также они могут передвигаться очень тихо), and hide easily (и прятаться легко), and recover wonderfully from falls and bruises (и удивительно /быстро/ поправляться после падений и синяков), and they have a fund of wisdom (и они обладают просто-таки кладезем премудрости; fund — запас, резерв, фонд) and wise sayings (и мудрых пословиц) that men have mostly never heard (которые люди по большей части никогда не слышали) or have forgotten long ago (или забыли давным давно). I should not have liked to have been in Mr. Baggins’ place (я бы не хотел оказаться на месте мистера Бэггинса), all the same (тем не менее).

tight [taɪt] ordinary [ˈɔ: d (ǝ) nrɪ] bruise [bru: z]

Now certainly Bilbo was in what is called a tight place. But you must remember it was not quite so tight for him as it would have been for me or for you. Hobbits are not quite like ordinary people; and after all if their holes are nice cheery places and properly aired, quite different from the tunnels of the goblins, still they are more used to tunnelling than we are, and they do not easily lose their sense of direction underground — not when their heads have recovered from being bumped. Also they can move very quietly, and hide easily, and recover wonderfully from falls and bruises, and they have a fund of wisdom and wise sayings that men have mostly never heard or have forgotten long ago. I should not have liked to have been in Mr. Baggins’ place, all the same.

The tunnel seemed to have no end (у туннеля, казалось, не было конца). All he knew was (все, что он знал, было то) that it was still going down pretty steadily (что он все еще вел вниз довольно последовательно; steadily — неизменно, постоянно; steady — устойчивый; прочный, твердый) and keeping in the same direction (и держался в том же самом направлении) in spite of a twist (несмотря на изгиб) and a turn or two (и на один или два поворота). There were passages leading off to the side (несколько проходов уводили в сторону) every now and then (время от времени: «каждые сейчас и тогда»), as he knew by the glimmer of his sword (как он мог видеть: «он знал» в тусклом свете его меча), or could feel with his hand on the wall (или мог чувствовать рукой, которой держался за стену). Of these he took no notice (на них он не обращал никакого внимания), except to hurry past (за исключением того, чтобы проскочить их поскорее) for fear of goblins (боясь гоблинов) or half-imagined dark things coming out of them (или наполовину вымышленных = полуфантастических темных существ, выходящих из них; toimagine—воображать, представлять себе). On and on he went (он шел и шел вперед), and down and down (и все вниз и вниз); and still he heard no sound of anything (и все еще он не слышал ни одного звука /издаваемого хоть кем-то/) except the occasional whirr of a bat by his ears (за исключением редкого шума крыльев летучей мыши у его ушей), which startled him at first (который пугал его поначалу), till it became too frequent (пока он не стал слишком частым) to bother about (чтобы беспокоиться из-за него). I do not know how long he kept on like this (я не знаю, как долго он продолжал двигаться вперед таким образом), hating to go on (не желая идти вперед), not daring to stop (и не осмеливаясь остановиться), on, on (вперед и вперед), until he was tireder than tired (пока он не устал как никогда: «был более уставшим, чем уставшим»).

glimmer [ˈɡlɪmǝ] occasional [ǝˈkeɪʒ (ǝ) nǝl] frequent [ˈfri: kwǝnt]

The tunnel seemed to have no end. All he knew was that it was still going down pretty steadily and keeping in the same direction in spite of a twist and a turn or two. There were passages leading off to the side every now and then, as he knew by the glimmer of his sword, or could feel with his hand on the wall. Of these he took no notice, except to hurry past for fear of goblins or half-imagined dark things coming out of them. On and on he went, and down and down; and still he heard no sound of anything except the occasional whirr of a bat by his ears, which startled him at first, till it became too frequent to bother about. I do not know how long he kept on like this, hating to go on, not daring to stop, on, on, until he was tireder than tired.

It seemed like all the way to tomorrow (казалось, словно весь путь ведет в завтра) and over it (и через завтра) to the days beyond (во все последующие дни; beyond — за, по ту сторону, за пределами; далее). Suddenly without any warning (внезапно, без какого-либо предупреждения) he trotted splash into water (он просеменил и плюхнулся прямо в воду; to splash — брызгать, плескать)! Ugh (бррр)! it was icy cold (она была ледяной; icy — ледяной; ice — лед; cold — холодный). That pulled him up sharp and short (это заставило его затормозить на полном ходу; sharp — острый; крутой; резкий; short — короткий). He did not know (он не знал) whether it was just a pool in the path (была ли это просто лужица по дорожке), or the edge of an underground stream (или край подземного потока) that crossed the passage (что пересекал проход), or the brink of a deep dark subterranean lake (или крутой берег глубокого темного подземного озера). The sword was hardly shining at all (меч едва светил/почти не светил вовсе). He stopped (он остановился), and he could hear (и он мог слышать), when he listened hard (когда он сильно прислушался), drops drip-drip-dripping from an unseen roof (как капельки кап-кап-капали с невидимой крыши) into the water below (в воду внизу); but there seemed no other sort of sound (но больше, как казалось, никакого другого звука не было).

beyond [bɪˈjɔnd] ugh [ʋkh, ǝ:, ʌɡ] icy [ˈaɪsɪ] subterranean [sʌbtǝˈreɪnɪǝn]

It seemed like all the way to tomorrow and over it to the days beyond. Suddenly without any warning he trotted splash into water! Ugh! it was icy cold. That pulled him up sharp and short. He did not know whether it was just a pool in the path, or the edge of an underground stream that crossed the passage, or the brink of a deep dark subterranean lake. The sword was hardly shining at all. He stopped, and he could hear, when he listened hard, drops drip-drip-dripping from an unseen roof into the water below; but there seemed no other sort of sound.

“So it is a pool or a lake (значит, это лужа или озеро), and not an underground river (а не подземная река), ” he thought (думал он). Still he did not dare (и все же он не осмеливался) to wade out into the darkness (начать переходить его вброд, в темноте). He could not swim (он не мог плавать); and he thought, too (он думал также), of nasty slimy things (об отвратительных склизких существах), with big bulging blind eyes (с большими выпученными слепыми глазами), wriggling in the water (извивавшихся в воде; to wriggle). There are strange things living in the pools and lakes (в лужах и озерах живут странные существа) in the hearts of mountains (в глубинных районах гор): fish whose fathers swam in (рыбы, чьи предки нырнули), goodness only knows how many years ago (кто только его знает, как много лет тому назад), and never swam out again (и никогда больше не вынырнули), while their eyes grew bigger and bigger and bigger (в то время, когда их глаза росли все больше и больше и больше) from trying to see in the blackness (из-за попыток рассмотреть в темноте); also there are other things (также есть там и другие существа) more slimy than fish (более склизкие, чем рыбы). Even in the tunnels and caves (даже в тех туннелях и пещерах) the goblins have made for themselves (что гоблины сделали для самих себя) there are other things living unbeknown to them (живут другие существа, неизвестные им) that have sneaked in from outside (которые прокрались внутрь снаружи) to lie up in the dark (чтобы затаиться в темноте). Some of these caves, too (некоторые из этих пещер тоже), go back in their beginnings (берут свое начало) to ages before the goblins (со времен еще до гоблиновских), who only widened them (которые только расширили их) and joined them up with passages (и соединили их проходами), and the original owners are still there in odd corners (а их исконные хозяева все еще находятся там, в дальних/укромных: «странных» уголках), slinking and nosing about (передвигаются крадучись и вынюхивают все вокруг).

underground [ˈʌndǝɡraʋnd] bulging [ˈbʌldʒɪŋ] slimy [ˈslaɪmɪ] unbeknown [ˌʌnbɪˈnǝʋn]

“So it is a pool or a lake, and not an underground river, ” he thought. Still he did not dare to wade out into the darkness. He could not swim; and he thought, too, of nasty slimy things, with big bulging blind eyes, wriggling in the water. There are strange things living in the pools and lakes in the hearts of mountains: fish whose fathers swam in, goodness only knows how many years ago, and never swam out again, while their eyes grew bigger and bigger and bigger from trying to see in the blackness; also there are other things more slimy than fish. Even in the tunnels and caves the goblins have made for themselves there are other things living unbeknown to them that have sneaked in from outside to lie up in the dark. Some of these caves, too, go back in their beginnings to ages before the goblins, who only widened them and joined them up with passages, and the original owners are still there in odd corners, slinking and nosing about.

Deep down here (здесь, глубоко внизу) by the dark water (у темной воды) lived old Gollum (жил старый Голлум), a small slimy creature (небольшая склизкая тварь). I don’t know where he came from (я не знаю, откуда он появился), nor who or what he was (ни кем или чем он был). He was Gollum (он был Голлумом) — as dark as darkness (таким же темным, как сама тьма), except for two big round pale eyes (за исключением его двух больших круглых бледных глаз) in his thin face (на его худой физиономии). He had a little boat (у него была маленькая лодчонка), and he rowed about quite quietly on the lake (и он греб на ней довольно тихо по озеру); for lake it was (так как это было озеро), wide and deep and deadly cold (широкое и глубокое и смертельно холодное). He paddled it with large feet (он греб на ней с помощью своих больших ступней) dangling over the side (свободно свисающих через край), but never a ripple did he make (но он никогда не создавал ряби на воде). Not he (только не он). He was looking out of his pale lamp-like eyes (он высматривал своими бледными гляделками: «похожими на светильники глазами»; lamp — лампа, фонарь) for blind fish (слепых рыб), which he grabbed with his long fingers (которых он хватал своими длинными пальцами) as quick as thinking (быстрыми, как мысль). He liked meat too (мясо ему тоже нравилось). Goblin he thought good (он считал гоблинов вкусными), when he could get it (когда он мог добыть его); but he took care they never found him out (но он заботился о том, чтобы они никогда его не обнаружили).

row [rǝʋ] paddle [ˈpædl] dangling [ˈdæŋɡlɪŋ]

Deep down here by the dark water lived old Gollum, a small slimy creature. I don’t know where he came from, nor who or what he was. He was Gollum — as dark as darkness, except for two big round pale eyes in his thin face. He had a little boat, and he rowed about quite quietly on the lake; for lake it was, wide and deep and deadly cold. He paddled it with large feet dangling over the side, but never a ripple did he make. Not he. He was looking out of his pale lamp-like eyes for blind fish, which he grabbed with his long fingers as quick as thinking. He liked meat too. Goblin he thought good, when he could get it; but he took care they never found him out.

He just throttled them from behind (он просто душил их со спины), if they ever came down alone (если они когда-нибудь спускались одни = поодиночке) anywhere near the edge of the water (где-то поблизости от края воды), while he was prowling about (пока он рыскал поблизости). They very seldom did (они очень редко /подходили/), for they had a feeling (так как у них было такое чувство) that something unpleasant was lurking down there (что что-то неприятное пряталось там, внизу), down at the very roots of the mountain (внизу, у самого основания горы; root — корень; основание). They had come on the lake (они вышли на это озеро), when they were tunnelling down long ago (когда они прокладывали туннели, уже очень давно), and they found they could go no further (и они обнаружили, что они не могут придвигаться дальше); so there their road ended in that direction (и тогда их дорога в этом направлении закончилась), and there was no reason to go that way (и не было никакой причины ходить по этому пути) — unless the Great Goblin sent them (если только Великий Гоблин не посылал их). Sometimes he took a fancy for fish from the lake (иногда ему хотелось рыбки из этого озера; fancy — фантазия, прихоть, вкус), and sometimes neither goblin nor fish came back (и иногда ни гоблин, ни рыба не возвращались).

throttle [ˈƟrɔtl] prowl [praʋl] lurking [ˈlǝ: kɪŋ]

He just throttled them from behind, if they ever came down alone anywhere near the edge of the water, while he was prowling about. They very seldom did, for they had a feeling that something unpleasant was lurking down there, down at the very roots of the mountain. They had come on the lake, when they were tunnelling down long ago, and they found they could go no further; so there their road ended in that direction, and there was no reason to go that way — unless the Great Goblin sent them. Sometimes he took a fancy for fish from the lake, and sometimes neither goblin nor fish came back.

Actually Gollum lived on a slimy island of rock (на самом деле, Голлум жил на покрытом слизью скалистом острове) in the middle of the lake (посередине озера). He was watching Bilbo now (теперь он наблюдал за Бильбо) from the distance (с расстояния) with his pale eyes like telescopes (своими бледными глазами, похожими на телескопы). Bilbo could not see him (Бильбо не мог его видеть), but he was wondering a lot about Bilbo (но тот много размышлял о Бильбо), for he could see (так как он видел) that he was no goblin at all (что это был совсем не гоблин).

Gollum got into his boat (Голлум забрался в свою лодку) and shot off from the island (и оттолкнулся от острова; to shoot (shot) — стрелять; бросаться, бежать, мчаться), while Bilbo was sitting on the brink (в то время как Бильбо сидел на крутом берегу) altogether flummoxed (одновременно сбитый с толку) and at the end of his way and his wits (и потерявший свою дорогу и в растерянности; way — путь, wits — ум, разум). Suddenly up came Gollum (внезапно подплыл Голлум) and whispered (и прошептал) and hissed (и прошипел):

“Bless us (честное слово: «благослови нас») and splash us (чтоб мне плюхнуться: «обрызгай нас»), my precioussss (мой драгоценный; precioussss = precious)! I guess it’s a choice feast (я полагаю, что это отборное угощение; feast — пир, банкет); at least a tasty morsel it’d make us, gollum (по меньшей мере, это будет для нас лакомым кусочком, голлум; to make — делать, изготавливать, составлять)!” And when he said gollum (и когда он произнес "голлум") he made a horrible swallowing noise in his throat (он произвел ужасный сглатывающий звук в своем горле). That is how he got his name (вот так он и получил свое имя), though he always called himself ‘my precious’ (хотя он сам всегда называл себя "мой драгоценный").

telescope [ˈtelɪskǝʋp] flummox [ˈflʌmǝks] hiss [hɪs] morsel [ˈmɔ: s (ǝ) l] precious [ˈpreʃǝs]

Actually Gollum lived on a slimy island of rock in the middle of the lake. He was watching Bilbo now from the distance with his pale eyes like telescopes. Bilbo could not see him, but he was wondering a lot about Bilbo, for he could see that he was no goblin at all.

Gollum got into his boat and shot off from the island, while Bilbo was sitting on the brink altogether flummoxed and at the end of his way and his wits. Suddenly up came Gollum and whispered and hissed:

“Bless us and splash us, my precioussss! I guess it’s a choice feast; at least a tasty morsel it’d make us, gollum!” And when he said gollum he made a horrible swallowing noise in his throat. That is how he got his name, though he always called himself ‘my precious. ’

The hobbit jumped nearly out of his skin (хоббит подскочил: «почти что выскочил из своей кожи») when the hiss came in his ears (когда это шипение достигло его ушей), and he suddenly saw the pale eyes (и внезапно он увидел бледные глаза) sticking out at him (уставившиеся на него; to stick — втыкать, вонзать, высовывать).

“Who are you (кто ты такой)?” he said (сказал он), thrusting his dagger in front of him (резко выставив свой кинжал перед собой; to thrust — толкать, совать, наносить удар).

“What iss he, my preciouss (что он такое, мой драгоценный)?” whispered Gollum (прошептал Голлум) (who always spoke to himself (который всегда говорил сам с собой) through never having anyone else to speak to (так как у него не было никого, с кем еще поговорить). This is what he had come to find out (именно за этим он и пришел сюда выяснить), for he was not really very hungry at the moment (так как он не был очень-то голоден в данный момент), only curious (только любопытен); otherwise he would have grabbed first (в противном случае он бы сперва схватил) and whispered afterwards (и только потом прошептал).

“I am Mr. Bilbo Baggins (я мистер Бильбо Бэггинс). I have lost the dwarves (я потерял гномов; to lose) and I have lost the wizard (и я потерял волшебника), and I don’t know where I am (и я не знаю, где я); and I don’t want to know (и я не хочу этого знать), if only I can get away (если я смогу выбраться отсюда). ”

“What’s he got in his handses (что это он держит в своих рукаххх)?” said Gollum (сказал Голлум), looking at the sword (глядя на меч), which he did not quite like (и который ему не очень-то понравился).

“A sword (меч), a blade which came out of Gondolin (клинок, который изготовили в Гондолине; to come out — появляться, приходить)!”

thrusting [ˈƟrʌstɪŋ] curious [ˈkjʋ (ǝ) rɪǝs] whisper [ˈwɪspǝ]

The hobbit jumped nearly out of his skin when the hiss came in his ears, and he suddenly saw the pale eyes sticking out at him. “Who are you?” he said, thrusting his dagger in front of him.

“What iss he, my preciouss?” whispered Gollum (who always spoke to himself through never having anyone else to speak to). This is what he had come to find out, for he was not really very hungry at the moment, only curious; otherwise he would have grabbed first and whispered afterwards. “I am Mr. Bilbo Baggins. I have lost the dwarves and I have lost the wizard, and I don’t know where I am; and “I don’t want to know, if only I can get, away. ” “What’s he got in his handses?” said Gollum, looking at the sword, which he did not quite like.

“A sword, a blade which came out of Gondolin!”

“Sssss (ссссс), ” said Gollum, and became quite polite (сказал Голлум, и стал очень вежливым). “Praps ye sits here (возможно ты присядешь здесь; praps = perhaps) and chats with it a bitsy (и поболтаешь с ним чуток), my preciousss (мой драгоценный). It like riddles, praps it does, does it (ему нравятся загадки, возможно нравятся, так ведь)?” He was anxious to appear friendly (ему очень хотелось выглядеть дружелюбным), at any rate for the moment (во всяком случае, в этот момент), and until he found out more about the sword and the hobbit (и до тех пор, пока он не узнает больше об этом мече и о хоббите), whether he was quite alone really (и действительно ли он был совершенно один), whether he was good to eat (и был ли он съедобен: «хорош, чтобы быть съеденным»), and whether Gollum was really hungry (и был ли сам Голлум действительно голоден). Riddles were all he could think of (загадки — вот единственное: «все» о чем он мог подумать = смог придумать). Asking them (загадывать их), and sometimes guessing them (и иногда отгадывать их), had been the only game he had ever played (это была единственная игра, в которую он когда-либо играл) with other funny creatures (с другими забавными существами) sitting in their holes in the long, long ago (сидящими в своих норках очень, очень давно), before he lost all his friends (до того, как он потерял всех своих друзей) and was driven away (и был изгнан; to drive), alone (в одиночестве), and crept down, down, into the dark under the mountains (и заполз вниз, вниз в тьму под горами).

“Very well (очень хорошо), ” said Bilbo, who was anxious to agree (которому очень хотелось согласиться), until he found out more about the creature (до тех пор, пока он не выяснит больше об этом существе), whether he was quite alone (был ли тот действительно совершенно один), whether he was fierce or hungry (и был ли он свирепым или голодным), and whether he was a friend of the goblins (и был ли он другом гоблинов).

polite [pǝˈlaɪt] riddle [ˈrɪdl] anxious [ˈæŋkʃǝs]

“Sssss, ” said Gollum, and became quite polite. “Praps ye sits here and chats with it a bitsy, my preciousss. It like riddles, praps it does, does it?” He was anxious to appear friendly, at any rate for the moment, and until he found out more about the sword and the hobbit, whether he was quite alone really, whether he was good to eat, and whether Gollum was really hungry. Riddles were all he could think of. Asking them, and sometimes guessing them, had been the only game he had ever played with other funny creatures sitting in their holes in the long, long ago, before he lost all his friends and was driven away, alone, and crept down, down, into the dark under the mountains. “Very well, ” said Bilbo, who was anxious to agree, until he found out more about the creature, whether he was quite alone, whether he was fierce or hungry, and whether he was a friend of the goblins.

“You ask first (ты загадываешь первым), ” he said, because he had not had time to think of a riddle (потому что у него не было времени подумать о какой—нибудь загадке).

So Gollum hissed (тогда Голлум прошипел):

What has roots as nobody sees (у чего есть корни, которых никто не видит),

Is taller than trees (и выше чем деревья),

Up, up it goes (вверх и вверх оно идет),

And yet never grows (и все же никогда не растет)?

“Easy (легко)!” said Bilbo (сказал Бильбо). “Mountain, I suppose (гора, я полагаю). ”

“Does it guess easy (что, так легко догадаться)? It must have a competition with us (он должен соревноваться с нами), my preciouss (мой драгоценный)! If precious asks (если драгоценный спрашивает), and it doesn’t answer (и тот не отвечает), we eats it (мы съедим его), my preciousss (мой драгоценный). If it asks us (если он спрашивает нас), and we doesn’t answer (и мы не отвечаем), then we does what it wants, eh (тогда мы сделаем то, что он хочет, а)? We shows it the way out, yes (мы покажем ему дорогу отсюда, да)!”

“All right (хорошо)!” said Bilbo, not daring to disagree (не осмеливаясь не согласиться), and nearly bursting his brain (и его мозги чуть не лопнули) to think of riddles (придумывая загадки) that could save him from being eaten (которые могли бы спасти его от /возможности/ быть съеденным).

mountain [ˈmaʋntɪn] competition [kɔmpɪˈtɪʃ (ǝ) n] bursting [ˈbǝ: stɪŋ]

“You ask first, ” he said, because he had not had time to think of a riddle. So Gollum hissed:

“Easy!” said Bilbo. “Mountain, I suppose. ”

“Does it guess easy? It must have a competition with us, my preciouss! If precious asks, and it doesn’t answer, we eats it, my preciousss. If it asks us, and we doesn’t answer, then we does what it wants, eh? We shows it the way out, yes!”

“All right!” said Bilbo, not daring to disagree, and nearly bursting his brain to think of riddles that could save him from being eaten.

Thirty white horses on a red hill (тридцать белых лошадей на красном холме),

First they champ (сперва они чавкают/громко жуют),

Then they stamp (затем они топают),

Then they stand still (затем они стоят спокойно).

That was all he could think of to ask (это было все, о чем он мог придумать спросить) — the idea of eating (мысли о еде) was rather on his mind (явно засели у него в голове; mind — ум, разум, память). It was rather an old one, too (это была довольно старая загадка к тому же), and Gollum knew the answer as well as you do (и Голлум знал ответ так же хорошо, как и вы).

“Chestnuts, chestnuts (банальные загадки; chestnut—каштан; /разг. / избитый мотив, анекдот и т. д. ), ” he hissed (прошипел он). “Teeth (зубы)! Teeth (это зубы)! my preciousss (мой драгоценный); but we has only six (но у нас только шесть /зубов/; we has = we have)!”

Then he asked his second (затем он загадал свою вторую /загадку/):

Voiceless it cries (это кричит без голоса: «безголосо это кричит»),

Wingless flutters (машет без крыльев: «бескрыло машет»),

Toothless bites (кусается без зубов: «беззубо кусается»),

Mouthless mutters (бормочет безо рта).

“Half a moment (минуточку; half — половина)!” cried Bilbo (закричал Бильбо), who was still thinking uncomfortably about eating (который все еще думал тревожно о еде). Fortunately (к счастью) he had once heard something rather like this before (он когда-то уже слышал что-то подобное), and getting his wits back (и вернувшись в мыслях назад) he thought of the answer (он подумал об ответе).

horse [hɔ: s] chestnut [ˈtʃesnʌt] fortunately [ˈfɔ: tʃ (ǝ) nǝtlɪ]

That was all he could think of to ask — the idea of eating was rather on his mind. It was rather an old one, too, and Gollum knew the answer as well as you do.

“Chestnuts, chestnuts, ” he hissed. “Teeth! teeth! my preciousss; but we has only six!”

Then he asked his second:

“Half a moment!” cried Bilbo, who was still thinking uncomfortably about eating. Fortunately he had once heard something rather like this before, and getting his wits back he thought of the answer.

“Wind, wind of course (ветер, конечно же ветер), ” he said, and he was so pleased (и он был так доволен) that he made up one on the spot (что придумал еще одну загадку тут же, на месте).

“This’ll puzzle (это озадачит) the nasty little underground creature (/это/ отвратительное маленькое подземное создание), ” he thought (думал он):

An eye in a blue face (глаз на синем лице)

Saw an eye in a green face (увидел глаз на зеленом лице).

“That eye is like to this eye (тот глаз похож на этот глаз) ”

Said the first eye (сказал первый глаз),

“But in low place (но внизу: «в низком месте»),

Not in high place (а не наверху: «на высоком месте»).

“Ss, ss, ss (с-с-с), ” said Gollum. He had been underground a long long time (он пробыл под землей долгое-долгое время), and was forgetting this sort of thing (и стал забывать подобные явления). But just as Bilbo was beginning to hope (но, как раз когда Бильбо начинал надеяться) that the wretch would not be able to answer (что этот негодник не сможет ответить), Gollum brought up memories of ages and ages and ages before (Голлум вернул воспоминания дальних-дальних времен: «веков и веков и веков до этого»), when he lived with his grandmother in a hole (когда он жил со своей бабушкой в норе) in a bank by a river (на берегу реки), “Sss, sss, my preciouss (с-с, мой драгоценный), ” he said. “Sun on the daisies it means, it does (солнце и маргаритки: «солнце, /светящее/ на маргаритки», вот что это значит, да). ”

puzzle [ˈpʌz (ǝ) l] wretch [retʃ] memory [ˈmem (ǝ) rɪ]

“Wind, wind of course, ” he said, and he was so pleased that he made up one on the spot. “This’ll puzzle the nasty little underground creature, ” he thought:

“Ss, ss, ss, ” said Gollum. He had been underground a long long time, and was forgetting this sort of thing. But just as Bilbo was beginning to hope that the wretch would not be able to answer, Gollum brought up memories of ages and ages and ages before, when he lived with his grandmother in a hole in a bank by a river, “Sss, sss, my preciouss, ” he said. “Sun on the daisies it means, it does. ”

But these ordinary aboveground everyday sort of riddles (но этот тип загадок, обычных, надземных, каждодневных загадок) were tiring for him (был утомителен для него). Also they reminded him of days (также они напомнили ему о тех днях) when he had been less lonely (когда он был менее одинок) and sneaky (и /менее/ подлый/крадущийся; to sneak — красться, подкрадываться; идти крадучись) and nasty (и /менее/ отвратительный), and that put him out of temper (и это вывело его из себя; temper — нрав, характер; настроение). What is more they made him hungry (более того, они вызвали у него голод); so this time he tried something a bit more difficult (и тогда, на этот раз он попытал нечто более сложное) and more unpleasant (и более неприятное):

It cannot be seen (это нельзя увидеть: «не может быть увиденным»), cannot be felt (нельзя пощупать),

Cannot be heard (нельзя услышать), cannot be smelt (нельзя унюхать).

It lies behind stars (это лежит за звездами) and under hills (и под холмами),

And empty holes it fills (и пустые норы заполняет).

It comes first (это первым приходит) and follows after (и следует после),

Ends life (заканчивает жизнь), kills laughter (убивает смех).

above-ground [ǝbʌvˈɡraʋnd] remind [rɪˈmaɪnd] laughter [ˈlɑ: ftǝ]

But these ordinary aboveground everyday sort of riddles were tiring for him. Also they reminded him of days when he had been less lonely and sneaky and nasty, and that put him out of temper. What is more they made him hungry; so this time he tried something a bit more difficult and more unpleasant:

Unfortunately for Gollum (к несчастью для Голлума) Bilbo had heard that sort of thing before (Бильбо слышал нечто подобное раньше); and the answer was all round him anyway (и ответ был вокруг него, в любом случае).

“Dark (темнота)!” he said without even scratching his head (сказал он, даже не почесав свою голову; without — без) or putting on his thinking cap (и не призадумавшись: «не надев своей шапочки для размышлений»).

A box without hinges, key, or lid (сундук без петель, ключа или крышки),

Yet golden treasure inside is hid (и все же золотые сокровища внутри него спрятаны; to hide — прятать, скрывать),

he asked to gain time (спросил он, чтобы выиграть время; to gain — получать, приобретать), until he could think of a really hard one (до тех пор, пока он не смог бы придумать действительно сложную загадку; hard — твердый, жесткий, трудный). This he thought a dreadfully easy chestnut (это, как он думал, была ужасно легкая, избитая /загадка/), though he had not asked it (хотя он и не загадал ее) in the usual words (в ее обычном варианте: «обычными словами»). But it proved a nasty poser for Gollum (но она оказалась трудноразрешимой задачей для Голлума). He hissed to himself (он шипел сам с собой), and still he did not answer (и все еще он не отвечал); he whispered and spluttered (он шептал и лопотал).

After some while (спустя какое-то время) Bilbo became impatient (Бильбо сделался нетерпеливым).

“Well, what is it (ну, что же это)?” he said. “The answer’s not a kettle boiling over (ответ — это не закипающий на /огне/ чайник), as you seem to think (как ты, кажется, думаешь) from the noise you are making (/судя/ по тому шуму, что ты производишь). ”

scratch [skrætʃ] hinge [hɪndʒ] dreadfully [ˈdredfʋlɪ]

Unfortunately for Gollum Bilbo had heard that sort of thing before; and the answer was all round him anyway.

“Dark!” he said without even scratching his head or putting on his thinking cap.

he asked to gain time, until he could think of a really hard one. This he thought a dreadfully easy chestnut, though he had not asked it in the usual words. But it proved a nasty poser for Gollum. He hissed to himself, and still he did not answer; he whispered and spluttered.

After some while Bilbo became impatient. “Well, what is it?” he said. “The answer’s not a kettle boiling over, as you seem to think from the noise you are making. ”

“Give us a chance (дай нам время; chance — случай, возможность, шанс); let it give us a chance (пусть он даст нам время), my preciouss-ss-ss (мой драгоценный). ”

“Well (ну), ” said Bilbo, after giving him a long chance (после того, как дал ему много времени), “what about your guess (как насчет твоей догадки)?”

But suddenly Gollum remembered (но внезапно Голлум вспомнил) thieving from nests long ago (о воровстве из гнезд, /что было/ так давно), and sitting under the river bank (и о том, как сидел под берегом реки) teaching his grandmother (и обучал свою бабушку), teaching his grandmother to suck (учил свою бабушку высасывать —) — “Eggses (яйцца)!” he hissed (прошипел он). “Eggses it is (это яйцца)!”

Then he asked (затем он загадал):

Alive without breath (живое без дыханья),

As cold as death (холодное, как смерть);

Never thirsty (никогда не испытывает жажду), ever drinking (/но/ всегда пьет),

All in mail (всё в броне) never clinking (/но/ никогда не звенит).

He also in his turn thought (он тоже, в свою очередь, думал) this was a dreadfully easy one (что это была ужасно легкая загадка), because he was always thinking of the answer (потому что он всегда думал об ответе). But he could not remember anything better at the moment (но он не мог вспомнить ничего лучше в этот момент), he was so flustered by the egg-question (он был так взволнован вопросом о яйцах). All the same (и тем не менее) it was a poser for poor Bilbo (это была трудная задачка для бедного Бильбо), who never had anything to do with the water (который никогда не имел дело с водой) if he could help it (если он мог этого избежать). I imagine you know the answer, of course (я предполагаю, что вы знаете ответ, конечно), or can guess it as easy as winking (или можете догадаться о нем, так же легко, как глазом моргнуть), since you are sitting comfortably at home (так как вы сидите, удобно устроившись дома) and have not the danger of being eaten (и никакая опасность быть съеденным) to disturb your thinking (не нарушает ход ваших мыслей). Bilbo sat and cleared his throat once or twice (Бильбо посидел и прочистил свое горло пару раз: «один или два раза»), but no answer came (но никакого ответа не последовало).

thieve [Ɵi: v] breath [breƟ] thirsty [ˈƟǝ: stɪ]

“Give us a chance; let it give us a chance, my preciouss-ss-ss. ” “Well, ” said Bilbo, after giving him a long chance, “what about your guess?”

But suddenly Gollum remembered thieving from nests long ago, and sitting under the river bank teaching his grandmother, teaching his grandmother to suck — “Eggses!” he hissed. “Eggses it is!” Then he asked:

He also in his turn thought this was a dreadfully easy one, because he was always thinking of the answer. But he could not remember anything better at the moment, he was so flustered by the egg-question. All the same it was a poser for poor Bilbo, who never had anything to do with the water if he could help it. I imagine you know the answer, of course, or can guess it as easy as winking, since you are sitting comfortably at home and have not the danger of being eaten to disturb your thinking. Bilbo sat and cleared his throat once or twice, but no answer came.

After a while (спустя какое-то время) Gollum began to hiss with pleasure to himself (Голлум начал шипеть с удовольствием сам себе): “Is it nice, my preciousss (а он вкусный, мой драгоценный; nice — хороший, приятный, аппетитный)? Is it juicy (а он сочный)? Is it scrumptiously crunchable (а можно ли им похрустеть первоклассно; to crunch — грызть с хрустом; scrumptious — великолепный, восхитительный, замечательный, первоклассный)?” He began to peer at Bilbo out of the darkness (он начал заглядываться на Бильбо из темноты).

“Half a moment (минуточку: «половинку мгновения»), ” said the hobbit shivering (сказал хоббит, поеживаясь). “I gave you a good long chance just now (я же давал тебе достаточно много времени, только что). ”

“It must make haste, haste (ему надо поторопиться, поторопиться)!” said Gollum, beginning to climb out of his boat (начиная выкарабкиваться из своей лодки) on to the shore (на берег) to get at Bilbo (чтобы добраться до Бильбо). But when he put his long webby foot in the water (но когда он опускал свою длинную перепончатую лапищу в воду), a fish jumped out (рыбка выпрыгнула /из нее/) in a fright (в испуге) and fell on Bilbo’s toes (и упала на ножки Бильбо).

“Ugh (тьфу)!” he said, “it is cold and clammy (она холодная и липкая)!” — and so he guessed (и тогда он догадался). “Fish (рыба)! Fish!” he cried (закричал он). “It is fish (это рыба)!”

juicy [ˈdʒu: sɪ] scrumptiously [ˈskrʌmpʃǝslɪ] crunchable [krʌntʃǝb (ǝ) l]

After a while Gollum began to hiss with pleasure to himself: “Is it nice, my preciousss? Is it juicy? Is it scrumptiously crunchable?” He began to peer at Bilbo out of the darkness.

“Half a moment, ” said the hobbit shivering. “I gave you a good long chance just now. ”

“It must make haste, haste!” said Gollum, beginning to climb out of his boat on to the shore to get at Bilbo. But when he put his long webby foot in the water, a fish jumped out in a fright and fell on Bilbo’s toes.

“Ugh!” he said, “it is cold and clammy!” — and so he guessed. “Fish! Fish!” he cried. “It is fish!”

Gollum was dreadfully disappointed (Голлум был ужасно разочарован); but Bilbo asked another riddle (но Бильбо загадал другую загадку) as quick as ever be could (так быстро, как он только мог), so that Gollum had to get back into his boat and think (так, что Голлуму пришлось вернуться в свою лодку и думать /над загадкой/).

No-legs lay on one-leg (безногий лежит на одноногом), two-legs sat near on three-legs (двуногий сидит рядом на трехногом), four-legs got some (четырехногий получил что-то).

It was not really the right time for this riddle (это было не очень то, на самом деле, подходящее время для этой загадки), but Bilbo was in a hurry (но Бильбо спешил). Gollum might have had some trouble guessing it (Голлум должно быть намучился бы, отгадывая ее; trouble — беспокойство, беда, затруднение), if he had asked it at another time (если бы он загадал ее в другое время). As it was (хотя), talking of fish (говоря о рыбе), “no-legs” was not so very difficult («безногий» оказалось не так уж очень сложно), and after that the rest was easy (и после этого остальное было легко).

“Fish on a little table (рыба на маленьком столике), man at table sitting on a stool (человек за столом, сидящий на табурете), the cat has the bones (и кошке достались кости) ” — that of course is the answer (это, конечно, ответ), and Gollum soon gave it (и Голлум вскоре дал его). Then he thought (потом он подумал) the time had come (что пришло время) to ask something hard and horrible (загадать нечто трудное и ужасное). This is what he said (вот что он сказал):

This thing all things devours (это существо все существа пожирает):

Birds (птиц), beasts (зверей), trees (деревья), flowers (цветы);

Gnaws iron (разъедает железо; to gnaw — грызть, глодать), bites steel (и крушит сталь; to bite — кусать, жалить);

Grinds hard stones to meal (мелет тяжелые камни в муку);

Slays king (разит короля; to slay — убивать, уничтожать, лишать жизни), ruins town (разрушает город),

And beats high mountain down (и разбивает/обрушивает высокую гору).

disappointed [ˌdɪsǝˈpɔɪntɪd] hurry [ˈhʌrɪ] devour [dɪˈvaʋǝ] grind [ɡraɪnd]

Gollum was dreadfully disappointed; but Bilbo asked another riddle as quick as ever be could, so that Gollum had to get back into his boat and think.

It was not really the right time for this riddle, but Bilbo was in a hurry. Gollum might have had some trouble guessing it, if he had asked it at another time. As it was, talking of fish, “no-legs” was not so very difficult, and after that the rest was easy.

“Fish on a little table, man at table sitting on a stool, the cat has the bones” — that of course is the answer, and Gollum soon gave it. Then he thought the time had come to ask something hard and horrible. This is what he said:

Poor Bilbo sat in the dark (бедняжка Бильбо сидел в темноте) thinking of all the horrible names (думая обо всех ужасных именах) of all the giants and ogres (всех тех великанов и людоедов) he had ever heard told of in tales (о каких он когда-либо слышал в сказках), but not one of them had done all these things (но ни один из них не сделал все эти вещи). He had a feeling (у него было такое чувство) that the answer was quite different (что ответ был совершенно другим) and that he ought to know it (и что ему следовало бы знать его), but he could not think of it (но он не мог подумать что это было: «о нем»). He began to get frightened (он уже начал пугаться), and that is bad for thinking (а это плохо для размышлений). Gollum began to get out of his boat (Голлум начал вылезать из своей лодки). He flapped into the water (он шлепнулся в воду) and paddled to the bank (и стал медленно грести к берегу); Bilbo could see his eyes coming towards him (Бильбо мог видеть как его глаза приближаются к нему). His tongue seemed to stick in his mouth (его язык, казалось, прилип к горлу: «в его рту»); he wanted to shout out (он хотел закричать): “Give me more time (дай мне еще времени)! Give me time (дай мне время)!”

But all that came out (но все, что раздалось) with a sudden squeal was (с внезапным воплем, было):

“Time (время)! Time!”

Bilbo was saved by pure luck (Бильбо был спасен по чистому /= чистой воды/ везенью). For that of course was the answer (так как это, конечно, был ответ).

giant [ˈdʒaɪǝnt] ogre [ˈǝʋɡǝ] squeal [skwi: l]

Poor Bilbo sat in the dark thinking of all the horrible names of all the giants and ogres he had ever heard told of in tales, but not one of them had done all these things. He had a feeling that the answer was quite different and that he ought to know it, but he could not think of it. He began to get frightened, and that is bad for thinking. Gollum began to get out of his boat. He flapped into the water and paddled to the bank; Bilbo could see his eyes coming towards him. His tongue seemed to stick in his mouth; he wanted to shout out: “Give me more time! Give me time!” But all that came out with a sudden squeal was:

“Time! Time!”

Bilbo was saved by pure luck. For that of course was the answer.

Gollum was disappointed once more (Голлум был еще раз разочарован); and now he was getting angry (а теперь он еще и начинал сердиться), and also tired of the game (а также устал от игры). It had made him very hungry indeed (от нее он действительно проголодался). This time (на этот раз) he did not go back to the boat (он не вернулся в лодку). He sat down in the dark by Bilbo (он сел в темноте рядом с Бильбо). That made the hobbit most dreadfully uncomfortable (это заставило хоббита почувствовать себя более чем ужасно неуютно) and scattered his wits (и совершенно затуманило его разум; toscatter — разбрасывать, рассеивать).

“It’s got to ask uss a quesstion, my preciouss, yes, yess, yesss (он должен задать нам вопрос, мой драгоценный, да, да, да). Jusst one more quesstion to guess, yes, yess (только еще один вопрос угадать, да, да), ” said Gollum. But Bilbo simply could not think of any question (но Бильбо попросту не мог подумать ни о каком вопросе) with that nasty wet cold thing sitting next to him (когда это отвратительное, мокрое, холодное существо сидело рядом с ним), and pawing (и трогало его лапой) and poking him (и пихало его). He scratched himself (он царапал себя), he pinched himself (он щипал себя); still he could not think of anything (и все же он не мог не о чем подумать).

“Ask us (спрашивай нас)! ask us!” said Gollum.

hungry [ˈhʌŋɡrɪ] paw [pɔ: ] scattered [ˈskætǝd]

Gollum was disappointed once more; and now he was getting angry, and also tired of the game. It had made him very hungry indeed. This time he did not go back to the boat. He sat down in the dark by Bilbo. That made the hobbit most dreadfully uncomfortable and scattered his wits.

“It’s got to ask uss a quesstion, my preciouss, yes, yess, yesss. Jusst one more

quesstion to guess, yes, yess, ” said Gollum. But Bilbo simply could not think of any question with that nasty wet cold thing sitting next to him, and pawing and poking him. He scratched himself, he pinched himself; still he could not think of anything.

“Ask us! ask us!” said Gollum.

Bilbo pinched himself and slapped himself (Бильбо ущипнул себя и шлепнул себя); he gripped on his little sword (он крепко сжал свой маленький меч); he even felt in his pocket (и даже пошарил: «пощупал» в своем кармане) with his other hand (своей другой рукой). There he found the ring (там он нашел то самое колечко) he had picked up in the passage (что он подобрал в проходе) and forgotten about (и забыл о нем).

“What have I got in my pocket (что у меня в кармане)?” he said aloud (спросил он вслух). He was talking to himself (он говорил сам с собой), but Gollum thought it was a riddle (но Голлум подумал, что это была загадка), and he was frightfully upset (и он был ужасно расстроен).

“Not fair (не честно)! not fair!” he hissed (зашипел он). “It isn’t fair, my precious, is it (это не честно, мой драгоценный, так ведь), to ask us what it’s got in its nassty little pocketses (спрашивать нас, что же у него в его противных маленьких кармашках)?”

Bilbo seeing what had happened (Бильбо увидел, что произошло) and having nothing better to ask (и не имея ничего лучше чего спросить) stuck to his question (упорно повторил свой вопрос; tostick (stuck) tosmth — придерживаться чего-либо, быть верным чему-либо).

“What have I got in my pocket (что у меня в кармане)?” he said louder (сказал он громче).

“S-s-s-s-s (с-с-с-с-с), ” hissed Gollum (прошипел Голлум). “It must give us three guesseses (он должен дать нам три попытки; guess—догадка, предположение), my preciouss (мой драгоценный), three guesseses (три попытки). ”

“Very well (очень хорошо)! Guess away (отгадывай)!” said Bilbo. “Handses (руки)!” said Gollum.

“Wrong (неправильно), ” said Bilbo, who had luckily just taken his hand out again (который, к счастью, только что достал свою руку из /кармана/ снова). “Guess again (отгадывай снова)!”

pocket [ˈpɔkɪt] forgotten [fǝˈɡɔtn] fair [feǝ] luckily [ˈlʌkɪlɪ]

Bilbo pinched himself and slapped himself; he gripped on his little sword; he even felt in his pocket with his other hand. There he found the ring he had picked up in the passage and forgotten about.

“What have I got in my pocket?” he said aloud. He was talking to himself, but Gollum thought it was a riddle, and he was frightfully upset.

“Not fair! not fair!” he hissed. “It isn’t fair, my precious, is it, to ask us what it’s got in its nassty little pocketses?”

Bilbo seeing what had happened and having nothing better to ask stuck to his question.

“What have I got in my pocket?” he said louder. “S-s-s-s-s, ” hissed Gollum. “It must give us three guesseses, my preciouss, three guesseses. ”

“Very well! Guess away!” said Bilbo. “Handses!” said Gollum.

“Wrong, ” said Bilbo, who had luckily just taken his hand out again. “Guess again!”

“S-s-s-s-s (с-с-с-с), ” said Gollum more upset than ever (сказал Голлум, расстроенный больше, чем когда-либо; toupset—опрокидывать, переворачивать; расстраивать, огорчать). He thought of all the things (он подумал о всех вещах) he kept in his own pockets (которые он держал в своих собственных карманах): fishbones (рыбьи косточки), goblins’ teeth (зубы гоблинов), wet shells (мокрые раковины), a bit of bat-wing (клочок крыла летучей мыши), a sharp stone to sharpen his fangs on (острый камень для заточки на /нем/ его клыков), and other nasty things (и другие отвратительные вещи). He tried to think what other people kept in their pockets (он попытался подумать, что другие люди держат в своих карманах).

“Knife (нож)!” he said at last (сказал он наконец).

“Wrong (неверно)!” said Bilbo, who had lost his some time ago (который потерял свой некоторое время тому назад). “Last guess (последняя попытка)!” Now Gollum was in a much worse state (теперь Голлум был в гораздо более плохом состоянии) than when Bilbo had asked him the egg-question (чем когда Бильбо задал ему вопрос про яйца). He hissed and spluttered (он шипел и лопотал) and rocked himself backwards and forwards (и качался вперед и назад), and slapped his feet on the floor (и шлепал своими ногами по полу), and wriggled and squirmed (и извивался, и корчился); but still he did not dare to waste his last guess (и все же, он не осмеливался упустить свою последнюю отгадку; to waste — растрачивать, расходовать впустую).

fishbone [ˈfɪʃbǝʋn] batwing [ˈbætwɪŋ] knife [naɪf]

“S-s-s-s-s, ” said Gollum more upset than ever. He thought of all the things he kept in his own pockets: fishbones, goblins’ teeth, wet shells, a bit of bat — wing, a sharp stone to sharpen his fangs on, and other nasty things. He tried to think what other people kept in their pockets.

“Knife!” he said at last.

“Wrong!” said Bilbo, who had lost his some time ago. “Last guess!” Now Gollum was in a much worse state than when Bilbo had asked him the egg — question. He hissed and spluttered and rocked himself backwards and forwards, and slapped his feet on the floor, and wriggled and squirmed; but still he did not dare to waste his last guess.

“Come on (давай же)!” said Bilbo. “I am waiting (я жду)!” He tried to sound bold and cheerful (он постарался, чтобы его голос звучал храбро и бодро), but he did not feel at all sure (но он совсем не чувствовал уверенность) how the game was going to end (как же закончится эта игра), whether Gollum guessed right or not (угадает ли Голлум верно или нет).

“Time’s up (время вышло)!” he said (сказал он).

“String (веревка), or nothing (или ничего)!” shrieked Gollum (закричал Голлум), which was not quite fair (что не было совсем честно) — working in two guesses at once (высказывать сразу два предположения одновременно).

“Both wrong (обе /догадки/ неверны), ” cried Bilbo (закричал Бильбо) very much relieved (с огромным облегчением; to relieve — помогать, оказывать помощь, выручать); and he jumped at once to his feet (и он вскочил тут же на ноги), put his back to the nearest wall (прислонился спиной к ближайшей стене), and held out his little sword (и выставил вперед свой маленький меч). He knew, of course (он знал, конечно), that the riddle-game was sacred (что игра в загадки является священной) and of immense antiquity (и чрезвычайно древней: «неизмеримой древности»), and even wicked creatures were afraid to cheat (и даже злобные существа боялись мошенничать) when they played at it (когда они играли в нее). But he felt he could not trust this slimy thing (но он чувствовал, что он не может доверять этому склизкому существу) to keep any promise (что тот сдержит обещание) at a pinch (в трудную минуту). Any excuse would do for him (любая отговорка подойдет для него; excuse — извинение, оправдание) to slide out of it (чтобы ускользнуть от него /обещания/). And after all (и, в конце концов) that last question had not been a genuine riddle (этот последний вопрос, он не был настоящей загадкой) according to the ancient laws (согласно древним правилам; law — закон).

relieve [rɪˈli: v] jump [dʒʌmp] antiquity [ænˈtɪkwɪtɪ] ancient [ˈeɪnʃ (ǝ) nt]

“Come on!” said Bilbo. “I am waiting!” He tried to sound bold and cheerful, but he did not feel at all sure how the game was going to end, whether Gollum guessed right or not. “Time’s up!” he said.

“String, or nothing!” shrieked Gollum, which was not quite fair-working in two guesses at once.

“Both wrong, ” cried Bilbo very much relieved; and he jumped at once to his feet, put his back to the nearest wall, and held out his little sword. He knew, of course, that the riddle-game was sacred and of immense antiquity, and even wicked creatures were afraid to cheat when they played at it. But he felt he could not trust this slimy thing to keep any promise at a pinch. Any excuse would do for him to slide out of it. And after all that last question had not been a genuine riddle according to the ancient laws.

But at any rate (но, в любом случае; rate — норма, размер, ставка) Gollum did not at once attack him (Голлум не набросился на него тут же). He could see the sword in Bilbo’s hand (он видел меч в руке Бильбо). He sat still (он сидел не двигаясь), shivering and whispering (дрожа и шепча). At last Bilbo could wait no longer (наконец, Бильбо уже не мог больше ждать).

“Well (ну)?” he said. “What about your promise (как насчет твоего обещания)? I want to go (я хочу уйти). You must show me the way (ты должен показать мне дорогу). ”

“Did we say so, precious (мы что, так сказали, драгоценный)? Show the nassty little Baggins the way out, yes, yes (показать противному маленькому Бэггинсу дорогу отсюда, да, да). But what has it got in its pocketses, eh (но что у него в его кармашках, а)? Not string, precious, but not nothing (не веревка, драгоценный, но и не ничего). Oh no (о нет)! gollum (голлум)!”

“Never you mind (это тебя не касается), ” said Bilbo. “A promise is a promise (обещание есть обещание). ”

“Cross it is (а он сердитый), impatient (нетерпеливый), precious (драгоценный), ” hissed Gollum (прошипел Голлум). “But it must wait (но он должен подождать), yes it must (да, он должен). We can’t go up the tunnels so hasty (мы не можем отправиться в туннели так поспешно). We must go and get some things first, yes (мы должны пойти и взять кой-какие вещи сперва, да), things to help us (вещи, которые нам помогут). ”

“Well, hurry up (ну, поторопись)!” said Bilbo, relieved to think of Gollum going away (с облегчением подумав, что Голлум уйдет).

attack [ǝˈtæk] promise [ˈprɔmɪs] impatient [ɪmˈpeɪʃ (ǝ) nt]

But at any rate Gollum did not at once attack him. He could see the sword in Bilbo’s hand. He sat still, shivering and whispering. At last Bilbo could wait no longer.

“Well?” he said. “What about your promise? I want to go. You must show me the way. ”

“Did we say so, precious? Show the nassty little Baggins the way out, yes, yes. But what has it got in its pocketses, eh? Not string, precious, but not nothing. Oh no! gollum!”

“Never you mind, ” said Bilbo. “A promise is a promise. ”

“Cross it is, impatient, precious, ” hissed Gollum. “But it must wait, yes it must. We can’t go up the tunnels so hasty. We must go and get some things first, yes, things to help us. ”

“Well, hurry up!” said Bilbo, relieved to think of Gollum going away.

He thought (он подумал) he was just making an excuse (что он просто придумал отговорку) and did not mean to come back (и не собирается возвращаться). What was Gollum talking about (о чем таком говорил Голлум)? What useful thing (какие полезные вещи) could he keep out on the dark lake (могут храниться на темном озере)?

But he was wrong (но он ошибался). Gollum did mean to come back (Голлум именно и собирался вернуться). He was angry now and hungry (он теперь был сердитый и голодный).

And he was a miserable wicked creature (и он был несчастным злобным существом), and already he had a plan (и у него уже был план). Not far away was his island (не вдалеке был его остров), of which Bilbo knew nothing (о котором Бильбо ничего не знал), and there in his hiding-place (и там, в своем тайнике: «потайном месте») he kept a few wretched oddments (он хранил несколько несчастных разрозненных предметов), and one very beautiful thing (и одну очень прекрасную вещь), very beautiful (очень прекрасную), very wonderful (очень удивительную). He had a ring (у него было кольцо), a golden ring (золотое кольцо), a precious ring (драгоценное кольцо).

excuse [ɪkˈskju: s] island [ˈaɪlǝnd] oddments [ˈɔdmǝnts]

He thought he was just making an excuse and did not mean to come back. What was Gollum talking about? What useful thing could he keep out on the dark lake?

But he was wrong. Gollum did mean to come back. He was angry now and hungry.

And he was a miserable wicked creature, and already he had a plan. Not far away was his island, of which Bilbo knew nothing, and there in his hiding — place he kept a few wretched oddments, and one very beautiful thing, very beautiful, very wonderful. He had a ring, a golden ring, a precious ring.

“My birthday-present (подарок на мой день рождения)!” he whispered to himself (он шептал сам себе), as he had often done (как он часто делал) in the endless dark days (в эти бесконечные темные дни). “That’s what we wants now, yes (вот что нам сейчас нужно); we wants it (нам оно нужно)!” He wanted it (оно было ему нужно) because it was a ring of power (потому, что это было кольцо власти), and if you slipped that ring on your finger (и если надеть то кольцо на палец), you were invisible (то становишься невидимым); only in the full sunlight could you be seen (только при полном солнечном свете можно

было тебя увидеть), and then only by your shadow (и то только по твоей тени), and that would be shaky and faint (да и та была бы дрожащей и бледной).

“My birthday-present (подарок на мой день рождения)! It came to me on my birthday (оно попало ко мне на мой день рождения), my precious (мой драгоценный), ” So he had always said to himself (так он всегда говорил сам себе). But who knows how Gollum came by that present (но кто знает, как к Голлуму попал этот подарок), ages ago in the old days (давным-давно, в старые дни) when such rings were still at large in the world (когда такие кольца были в большом количестве во всем мире)? Perhaps even the Master who ruled them (возможно, что даже сам Мастер, который повелевал ими; master — хозяин, владелец, господин; to rule — управлять, править) could not have said (не мог бы этого сказать). Gollum used to wear it at first (по началу Голлум носил его постоянно), till it tired him (пока оно его не утомило); and then he kept it in a pouch (и затем он держал его в мешочке) next his skin (рядом с телом: «кожей»), till it galled him (пока он не натер кожу); and now usually he hid it in a hole (и теперь, он обычно прятал его в норе; to hide) in the rock on his island (в горе на его острове), and was always going back to look at it (и всегда возвращался, чтобы взглянуть на него). And still sometimes he put it on (и все же иногда он надевал его), when he could not bear to be parted from it any longer (когда он больше не мог выносить свою разлуку с ним; to part — разделять, отделять; расставаться), or when he was very, very, hungry (или когда он бывал очень, очень голоден), and tired of fish (и ему надоедала рыба).

birthday [ˈbǝ: Ɵd (e) ɪ] present [ˈprez (ǝ) nt] power [ˈpaʋǝ]

“My birthday-present!” he whispered to himself, as he had often done in the endless dark days. “That’s what we wants now, yes; we wants it!” He wanted it because it was a ring of power, and if you slipped that ring on your finger, you were invisible; only in the full sunlight could you be seen, and then only by your shadow, and that would be shaky and faint. “My birthday-present! It came to me on my birthday, my precious, ” So he had always said to himself. But who knows how Gollum came by that present, ages ago in the old days when such rings were still at large in the world? Perhaps even the Master who ruled them could not have said. Gollum used to wear it at first, till it tired him; and then he kept it in a pouch next his skin, till it galled him; and now usually he hid it in a hole in the rock on his island, and was always going back to look at it. And still sometimes he put it on, when he could not bear to be parted from it any longer, or when he was very, very, hungry, and tired of fish.

Then he would creep along dark passages (тогда он прокрадывался по темным проходам) looking for stray goblins (выискивая заблудившихся гоблинов). He might even venture into places (он даже отваживался /пробраться/ в те места) where the torches were lit (где были зажжены факелы) and made his eyes blink and smart (они /их свет/ ослепляли его глаза и щипали их; to smart — причинять жгучую боль); for he would be safe (так как он оставался в безопасности). Oh yes, quite safe (о да, совершенно в безопасности). No one would see him (никто не видел его), no one would notice him (никто не замечал его), till he had his fingers on their throat (до тех самых пор, пока его пальцы не оказывались на их горле). Only a few hours ago he had worn it (всего несколько часов назад он носил его = имел надетым на палец; to wear (wore, worn) — носить, иметь надетым), and caught a small goblin-imp (и поймал маленького бесенка-гоблина). How it squeaked (как он визжал)! He still had a bone or two left to gnaw (у него все еще осталась пара косточек, которые он мог поглодать), but he wanted something softer (но ему хотелось чего-то помягче).

“Quite safe, yes (совершенно в безопасности, да), ” he whispered to himself (прошептал он себе). “It won’t see us, will it, my precious (он не увидит нас, не так ли, мой драгоценный)? No (нет). It won’t see us (он не увидит нас), and its nassty little sword (и его противный маленький меч) will be useless (будет бесполезным), yes quite (да, совершенно). ”

creep [kri: p] venture [ˈventʃǝ] torch [tɔ: tʃ] imp [ɪmp] useless [ˈju: slɪs]

Then he would creep along dark passages looking for stray goblins. He might even venture into places where the torches were lit and made his eyes blink and smart; for he would be safe. Oh yes, quite safe. No one would see him, no one would notice him, till he had his fingers on their throat. Only a few hours ago he had worn it, and caught a small goblin-imp. How it squeaked! He still had a bone or two left to gnaw, but he wanted something softer.

“Quite safe, yes, ” he whispered to himself. “It won’t see us, will it, my precious? No. It won’t see us, and its nassty little sword will be useless, yes quite. ”

That is what was in his wicked little mind (вот что было в его злобном маленьком умишке), as he slipped suddenly from Bilbo’s side (когда он внезапно ускользнул от Бильбо), and flapped back to his boat (и спустился назад, в свою лодку), and went off into the dark (и удалился в темноту). Bilbo thought he had heard the last of him (Бильбо подумал, что только он его и видел: «что он слышал о нем в последний раз»). Still he waited a while (все же он подождал чуть-чуть); for he had no idea (так как он не имел ни малейшего представления) how to find his way out alone (как ему найти выход самостоятельно).

Suddenly he heard a screech (внезапно он услышал визгливый крик). It sent a shiver down his back (от него дрожь пробежала /вниз/ по его спине). Gollum was cursing (Голлум ругался; to curse) and wailing away in the gloom (и завывал в темноте), not very far off (и не очень-то далеко) by the sound of it (судя по /этим/ звукам). He was on his island (он был на своем острове), scrabbling here and there (рылся здесь и там; to scrabble), searching and seeking

in vain (разыскивая и пытаясь найти /кольцо/ — и все напрасно).

“Where is it (где оно)? Where iss it (где оно)?” Bilbo heard him crying (Бильбо слышал, как тот кричит). “Losst it is, my precious, lost, lost (потеряно, мой драгоценный, потеряно, потеряно)! Curse us and crush us (черт нас побери и чтоб нам лопнуть; to crush — давить, мять), my precious is lost (мой драгоценный, оно потеряно)!”

“What’s the matter (в чем дело)?” Bilbo called (позвал/выкрикнул Бильбо). “What have you lost (что ты потерял; to lose)?”

“It mustn’t ask us (он не должен спрашивать нас), ” shrieked Gollum (завопил Голлум). “Not its business, no, gollum (это не его дело, нет, голлум)! It’s losst, gollum, gollum, gollum (оно потеряно, голлум, голлум, голлум). ”

heard [hǝ: d] alone [ǝˈlǝʋn] screech [skri: tʃ]

That is what was in his wicked little mind, as he slipped suddenly from Bilbo’s side, and flapped back to his boat, and went off into the dark. Bilbo thought he had heard the last of him. Still he waited a while; for he had no idea how to find his way out alone.

Suddenly he heard a screech. It sent a shiver down his back. Gollum was cursing and wailing away in the gloom, not very far off by the sound of it. He was on his island, scrabbling here and there, searching and seeking in vain.

“Where is it? Where iss it?” Bilbo heard him crying. “Losst it is, my precious, lost, lost! Curse us and crush us, my precious is lost!”

“What’s the matter?” Bilbo called. “What have you lost?”

“It mustn’t ask us, ” shrieked Gollum. “Not its business, no, gollum! It’s losst, gollum, gollum, gollum. ”

“Well, so am I (ну, и я тоже /потерялся/), ” cried Bilbo (закричал Бильбо), “and I want to get unlost (и я хочу найтись: «стать непотерянным»). And I won the game (и я выиграл эту игру; to win), and you promised (и ты обещал). So come along (и значит, иди сюда)! Come and let me out (иди, и выпусти меня), and then go on with your looking (и потом продолжай свои поиски)!”

Utterly miserable as Gollum sounded (хотя /вопли/ Голлума и звучали совершенно несчастными), Bilbo could not find much pity in his heart (Бильбо не мог найти много сострадания в своем сердце), and he had a feeling (и у него было такое чувство) that anything Gollum wanted so much (то все, чего бы ни хотел Голлум так сильно) could hardly be something good (вряд ли могло бы быть чем-то хорошим).

“Come along (пойдем)!” he shouted (закричал он).

“No, not yet, precious (нет, не сейчас, драгоценный)!” Gollum answered (ответил Голлум). “We must search for it, it’s lost, gollum (мы должны искать его, оно потеряно, голлум). ”

“But you never guessed my last question (но ты же так и не отгадал мою последнюю загадку; question — вопрос), and you promised (и ты обещал), ” said Bilbo.

“Never guessed (не угадал)!” said Gollum. Then suddenly out of the gloom (затем внезапно, из темноты) came a sharp hiss (раздался резких свист).

“What has it got in its pocketses (что у него в его кармашках)? Tell us that (скажи нам это). It must tell first (он должен сначала сказать). ” As far as Bilbo knew (насколько было известно Бильбо), there was no particular reason (не было никакой особой причины) why he should not tell (почему бы ему и не сказать). Gollum’s mind had jumped to a guess quicker than his (умишко Голлума сделал такое предположение быстрее, чем ум /Бильбо/; to jump — прыгать); naturally, for Gollum had brooded for ages on this one thing (естественно, так как Голлум предавался размышлениям об этой одно вещи долгие годы), and he was always afraid of its being stolen (и он всегда боялся, что ее украдут; to steal (stole, stolen) ). But Bilbo was annoyed at the delay (но Бильбо уже раздражала задержка). After all, he had won the game (в конце концов, он ведь выиграл игру), pretty fairly (довольно честно), at a horrible risk (и с ужасным риском).

“Answers were to be guessed not given (ответы надо было угадать, а не получить), ” he said.

along [ǝˈlɔŋ] utterly [ˈʌtǝlɪ] particular [pǝˈtɪkjʋlǝ]

“Well, so am I, ” cried Bilbo, “and I want to get unlost. And I won the game, and you promised. So come along! Come and let me out, and then go on with your looking!”

Utterly miserable as Gollum sounded, Bilbo could not find much pity in his heart, and he had a feeling that anything Gollum wanted so much could hardly be something good.

“Come along!” he shouted.

“No, not yet, precious!” Gollum answered. “We must search for it, it’s lost, gollum. ”

“But you never guessed my last question, and you promised, ” said Bilbo. “Never guessed!” said Gollum. Then suddenly out of the gloom came a sharp hiss. “What has it got in its pocketses? Tell us that. It must tell first. ”

As far as Bilbo knew, there was no particular reason why he should not tell. Gollum’s mind had jumped to a guess quicker than his; naturally, for Gollum had brooded for ages on this one thing, and he was always afraid of its being stolen. But Bilbo was annoyed at the delay. After all, he had won the game, pretty fairly, at a horrible risk.

“Answers were to be guessed not given, ” he said.

“But it wasn’t a fair question (но это был не честный вопрос), ” said Gollum. “Not a riddle, precious, no (не загадка, драгоценный, нет). ”

“Oh well (ну хорошо), if it’s a matter of ordinary questions (если дело в обычных вопросах), ” Bilbo replied (ответил Бильбо), “then I asked one first (тогда я первый задал тебе один). What have you lost (что ты потерял)? Tell me that (скажи мне это)!”

“What has it got in its pocketses (что же у него в его кармашках)?” The sound came hissing louder and sharper (звук шипел все громче и резче), and as he looked towards it (и когда он взглянул в его направлении), to his alarm (к своей тревоге) Bilbo now saw two small points of light (Бильбо теперь увидел две маленькие точки света) peering at him (уставившихся на него). As suspicion grew in Gollum’s mind (по мере того, как подозрение назревало: «росло» в уму Голлума), the light of his eyes burned with a pale flame (свет его глаз горел бледным пламенем).

“What have you lost (что ты потерял)?” Bilbo persisted (настаивал Бильбо). But now the light in Gollum’s eyes had become a green fire (но теперь, свет в глазах Голлума стал уже зеленым огнем), and it was coming swiftly nearer (и он быстро приближался). Gollum was in his boat again (Голлум снова был в своей лодке), paddling wildly back to the dark shore (гребя дико назад к темному берегу); and such a rage of loss and suspicion was in his heart (и такая ярость потери и подозрения была в его сердце) that no sword had any more terror for him (что никакой меч уже не был таким уже ужасным для него: «не имел ужаса для него»). Bilbo could not guess (Бильбо не мог предположить) what had maddened the wretched creature (что же довело до бешенства это несчастное существо), but he saw that all was up (но он понял: «увидел», что все было кончено), and that Gollum meant to murder him (и что Голлум намеревается убить его) at any rate (в любом случае). Just in time he turned (как раз во время он повернулся) and ran blindly back (и побежал вслепую назад; to run) up the dark passage (вверх по темному проходу) down which he had come (вниз по которому он пришел сюда), keeping close to the wall (держась близко к стене) and feeling it with his left hand (и держался: «трогая» за нее своей левой рукой).

“What has it got in its pocketses (что же у него в кармашках)?” he heard the hiss loud behind him (слышал он громкое шипение за своей спиной), and the splash as Gollum leapt from his boat (и всплеск, когда Голлум выпрыгнул со своей лодки).

suspicion [sǝˈspɪl (ǝ) n] grew [ɡru: ] persist [pǝˈsɪst]

“But it wasn’t a fair question, ” said Gollum. “Not a riddle, precious, no. ” “Oh well, if it’s a matter of ordinary questions, ” Bilbo replied, “then I asked one first. What have you lost? Tell me that!”

“What has it got in its pocketses?” The sound came hissing louder and sharper, and as he looked towards it, to his alarm Bilbo now saw two small points of light peering at him. As suspicion grew in Gollum’s mind, the light of his eyes burned with a pale flame.

“What have you lost?” Bilbo persisted. But now the light in Gollum’s eyes had become a green fire, and it was coming swiftly nearer. Gollum was in his boat again, paddling wildly back to the dark shore; and such a rage of loss and suspicion was in his heart that no sword had any more terror for him. Bilbo could not guess what had maddened the wretched creature, but he saw that all was up, and that Gollum meant to murder him at any rate. Just in time he turned and ran blindly back up the dark passage down which he had come, keeping close to the wall and feeling it with his left hand. “What has it got in its pocketses?” he heard the hiss loud behind him, and the splash as Gollum leapt from his boat.

“What have I (что же у меня есть), I wonder (интересно)?” he said to himself (сказал он сам себе), as he panted and stumbled along (пока он пыхтел и спотыкался по пути). He put his left hand in his pocket (он засунул свою левую руку в свой карман). The ring felt very cold (кольцо было: «чувствовалось» очень холодным) as it quietly slipped on to his groping forefinger (когда оно спокойно наделось на его ощупывающий указательный палец).

The hiss was close behind him (шипение было уже совсем близко за его спиной). He turned now (он теперь обернулся) and saw Gollum’s eyes like small green lamps (и увидел, как глаза Голлума, словно маленькие зеленые лампы) coming up the slope (поднимаются вверх по склону). Terrified he tried to run faster (ужаснувшись, он попытался бежать быстрее), but suddenly he struck his toes on a snag in the floor (но внезапно он застрял своими пальцами ног в какой-то дыре на полу; snag — коряга, выступ), and fell flat (у упал плашмя) with his little sword under him (и его маленький меч оказался под ним).

In a moment Gollum was on him (в момент Голлум бросился на него). But before Bilbo could do anything (но до того, как Бильбо смог сделать хоть что-нибудь), recover his breath (восстановить свое дыхание), pick himself up (подняться), or wave his sword (или взмахнуть своим мечом), Gollum passed by (Голлум пронесся мимо), taking no notice of him (не обратив на него никакого внимания), cursing and whispering as he ran (ругаясь и шепча /что-то/ на бегу: «пока он бежал»). What could it mean (что бы это могло значить)? Gollum could see in the dark (Голлум мог видеть в темноте). Bilbo could see the light of his eyes (Бильбо мог видеть свет его глаз) palely shining even from behind (бледно светящихся, даже сзади). Painfully he got up (болезненно он поднялся), and sheathed his sword (и вложил в ножны свой меч), which was now glowing faintly again (который теперь снова слегка светился), then very cautiously he followed (затем, очень осторожно, он последовал /за Голлумом/). There seemed nothing else to do (казалось, что больше ничего не оставалось делать). It was no good (было бесполезно) crawling back down to Gollum’s water (ползти назад, к воде Голлума). Perhaps if he followed him (возможно, если он последует за ним), Gollum might lead him to some way of escape (Голлум сможет вывести его к какому-либо пути к выходу; escape — бегство, побег) without meaning to (не намереваясь сделать это).

wonder [ˈwʌndǝ] forefinger [ˈfɔ: fɪŋɡǝ] terrify [ˈterɪfaɪ] sheathe [ʃi: ð]

“What have I, I wonder?” he said to himself, as he panted and stumbled along. He put his left hand in his pocket. The ring felt very cold as it quietly slipped on to his groping forefinger.

The hiss was close behind him. He turned now and saw Gollum’s eyes like small green lamps coming up the slope. Terrified he tried to run faster, but suddenly he struck his toes on a snag in the floor, and fell flat with his little sword under him.

In a moment Gollum was on him. But before Bilbo could do anything, recover his breath, pick himself up, or wave his sword, Gollum passed by, taking no notice of him, cursing and whispering as he ran. What could it mean? Gollum could see in the dark. Bilbo could see the light of his eyes palely shining even from behind. Painfully he got up, and sheathed his sword, which was now glowing faintly again, then very cautiously he followed. There seemed nothing else to do. It was no good crawling back down to Gollum’s water. Perhaps if he followed him, Gollum might lead him to some way of escape without meaning to.

“Curse it (будь он проклят)! curse it! curse it!” hissed Gollum (шипел Голлум). “Curse the Baggins (черт побери этого Бэггинса)! It’s gone (он ушел)! What has it got in its pocketses (что у него было в его кармашках)? Oh we guess, we guess, my precious (о, мы догадываемся, догадываемся, мой драгоценный). He’s found it (он нашел его), yes he must have (да, он должно быть /нашел/). My birthday-present (мой подарок ко дню рождения). ” Bilbo pricked up his ears (Бильбо навострил уши). He was at last beginning to guess himself (он, наконец, начал догадываться и сам). He hurried a little (он слегка поспешил), getting as close as he dared behind Gollum (подбираясь так близко к Голлуму, как он мог осмелиться), who was still going quickly (который все еще двигался быстро), not looking back (не оглядываясь), but turning his head from side to side (но поворачивая свою голову из стороны в сторону), as Bilbo could see from the faint glimmer on the walls (как Бильбо мог видеть по слабым отблескам на стенах).

“My birthday-present (мой подарок ко дню рождения)! Curse it (черт побери)! How did we lose it, my precious (как же мы потеряли его, мой драгоценный)? Yes, that’s it (да, так оно и есть). When we came this way last (когда мы шли по этому пути в последний раз), when we twisted that nassty young squeaker (когда мы выкручивали того мерзкого молодого визгуна). That’s it (точно). Curse it (черт побери: «прокляни это = проклятье этому»)! It slipped from us (оно с нас соскользнуло), after all these ages and ages (после всех этих долгих лет)! It’s gone, gollum (оно пропало, голлум). ”

Suddenly Gollum sat down and began to weep (внезапно Голлум сел и начал плакать), a whistling and gurgling sound (/издавая/ свистящий и булькающий звук) horrible to listen to (который ужасно было слушать). Bilbo halted (Бильбо остановился) and flattened himself against the tunnel-wall (и распластался по стене туннеля; against — против, напротив, у; flat — плоский). After a while Gollum stopped weeping (спустя какое-то время Голлум перестал плакать) and began to talk (и начал говорить). He seemed to be having an argument with himself (он, как казалось, спорил/обсудал что-то сам с собой; argument — довод, аргумент; дискуссия, обсуждение, прения, спор).

“It’s no good going back there to search, no (нет смысла возвращаться назад чтобы искать, нет). We doesn’t remember (мы не помним; doesn’t = don’t) all the places we’ve visited (все места, где мы были: «которые мы посетили»). And it’s no use (и это бесполезно). The Baggins has got it in its pocketses (оно было в кармашках у этого Бэггинса); the nassty noser has found it, we says (этот противный человечек, сующий всюду свой нос, нашел его, вот что мы скажем). ”

curse [kǝ: s] ear [ɪǝ] gurgling [ˈɡǝ: ɡlɪŋ]

“Curse it! curse it! curse it!” hissed Gollum. “Curse the Baggins! It’s gone! What has it got in its pocketses? Oh we guess, we guess, my precious. He’s found it, yes he must have. My birthday-present. ”

Bilbo pricked up his ears. He was at last beginning to guess himself. He hurried a little, getting as close as he dared behind Gollum, who was still going quickly, not looking back, but turning his head from side to side, as

Bilbo could see from the faint glimmer on the walls.

“My birthday-present! Curse it! How did we lose it, my precious? Yes, that’s it. When we came this way last, when we twisted that nassty young squeaker. That’s it. Curse it! It slipped from us, after all these ages and ages! It’s gone, gollum. ”

Suddenly Gollum sat down and began to weep, a whistling and gurgling sound horrible to listen to. Bilbo halted and flattened himself against the tunnel-wall. After a while Gollum stopped weeping and began to talk. He seemed to be having an argument with himself.

“It’s no good going back there to search, no. We doesn’t remember all the places we’ve visited. And it’s no use. The Baggins has got it in its pocketses; the nassty noser has found it, we says. ”

“We guesses, precious, only guesses (мы предполагаем, драгоценный, только предполагаем). We can’t know (мы не можем знать) till we find the nassty creature (до тех пор, пока мы не найдем это противное существо) and squeezes it (и не прижмем его). But it doesn’t know (но он же не знает) what the present can do, does it (что /мой/ подарок способен делать, не так ли)? It’ll just keep it in its pocketses (он просто будет держать его в своих кармашках). It doesn’t know (он не знает), and it can’t go far (и он не может далеко уйти). It’s lost itself (он заблудился), the nassty nosey thing (противное любопытствующее существо). It doesn’t know the way out (оно не знает пути отсюда). It said so (оно так и сказало). ”

“It said so, yes (оно так и сказало, да); but it’s tricksy (но оно хитрое; trick — обман, хитрость, уловка). It doesn’t say what it means (оно не говорит, что это значит). It won’t say what it’s got in its pocketses (оно не скажет, что у него в кармашках). It knows (оно знает). It knows a way in (он знает путь сюда: «внутрь»), it must know a way out, yes (оно должен знать дорогу отсюда: «наружу»). It’s off to the back-door (оно ушел к задней двери). To the back-door, that’s it (к задней двери, вот что /мы сделаем/; that’s it — вот именно). ” “The goblinses will catch it then (гоблинсы поймают его там). It can’t get out that way, precious (он не сможет выбраться тем путем, драгоценный). ”

“Ssss, sss, gollum (ссс, ссс, голлум)! Goblinses (гоблинсы)! Yes, but if it’s got the present (да, но если у него наш подарок), our precious present (наш драгоценный подарок), then goblinses will get it, gollum (тогда гоблинсы получат его, голлум)! They’ll find it (они найдут его), they’ll find out what it does (они поймут, что оно может делать). We shan’t ever be safe again, never, gollum (мы никогда больше не будем в безопасности, никогда, голлум)! One of the goblinses will put it on (один из гоблинсов наденет его), and then no one will see him (и никто его не увидит). He’ll be there but not seen (он будет там же, но его нельзя будет увидеть). Not even our clever eyeses will notice him (даже наши умные глаззки не заметят его); and he’ll come creepsy and tricksy (и он подойдет крадучись и хитренько; creepsy = creepy, tricksy = tricky) and catch us, gollum, gollum (и поймает нас, голлум, голлум)!”

squeeze [skwi: z] back door [bækˈdɔ: ] notice [ˈnǝʋtɪs]

“We guesses, precious, only guesses. We can’t know till we find the nassty creature and squeezes it. But it doesn’t know what the present can do, does it? It’ll just keep it in its pocketses. It doesn’t know, and it can’t go far. It’s lost itself, the nassty nosey thing. It doesn’t know the way out It said so. ”

“It said so, yes; but it’s tricksy. It doesn’t say what it means. It won’t say what it’s got in its pocketses. It knows. It knows a way in, it must know a way out, yes. It’s off to the back-door. To the back-door, that’s it. ”

“The goblinses will catch it then. It can’t get out that way, precious. ”

“Ssss, sss, gollum! Goblinses! Yes, but if it’s got the present, our precious present, then goblinses will get it, gollum! They’ll find it, they’ll find out what it does. We shan’t ever be safe again, never, gollum! One of the goblinses will put it on, and then no one will see him. He’ll be there but not seen. Not even our clever eyeses will notice him; and he’ll come creepsy and tricksy and catch us, gollum, gollum!”

“Then let’s stop talking, precious (тогда давай перестанем болтать, драгоценный), and make haste (и поторопимся). If the Baggins has gone that way (если Бэггинс отправился тем путем), we must go quick and see (мы должны пойти побыстрее и увидеть). Go (вперед)! Not far now (теперь уже недалеко). Make haste (поторопимся)!” With a spring Gollum got up (Голлум вскочил: «поднялся с прыжком») and started shambling off at a great pace (и потащился на большой скорости; to shamble — волочить ноги, тащиться, шаркать). Bilbo hurried after him (Бильбо поспешил за ним), still cautiously (все еще осторожно), though his chief fear now (хотя его главным страхом сейчас) was of tripping on another snag (было споткнуться о другой сучок/выступ) and falling with a noise (и с шумом упасть). His head was in a whirl of hope and wonder (его голова кружилась от надежды и изумления). It seemed that the ring he had was a magic ring (видимо, кольцо, которое было у него, было волшебным кольцом): it made you invisible (оно делало тебя невидимым)! He had heard of such things, of course (он раньше слышал о подобных вещах, конечно), in old old tales (в старых, старых сказках); but it was hard to believe (но было трудно поверить) that he really had found one (что он действительно нашел одно такое; to find), by accident (совершенно случайно). Still there it was (в тоже время, так оно и было): Gollum with his bright eyes had passed him by (Голлум, с его яркими глазами, прошел мимо него), only a yard to one side (только в ярде с одной стороны; yard — ярд, мера длины, равная 3 футам, т. е. ок. 91, 44 см). On they went (они продолжали двигаться), Gollum flip-flapping ahead (Голлум с равномерным хлопаньем впереди), hissing and cursing (шипя и проклиная); Bilbo behind going as softly as a hobbit can (Бильбо позади, ступая так мягко, как могут только хоббиты). Soon they came to place (вскоре они добрались до места) where, as Bilbo had noticed on the way down (где, как Бильбо заметил по пути вниз), side-passages opened (открывались боковые проходы) this way and that (в ту и другую сторону). Gollum began at once to count them (Голлум начал тут же считать их).

shambling [ˈʃæmblɪŋ] cautious [ˈkɔ: ʃǝs] invisible [ɪnˈvɪzǝb (ǝ) l]

“Then let’s stop talking, precious, and make haste. If the Baggins has gone that way, we must go quick and see. Go! Not far now. Make haste!” With a spring Gollum got up and started shambling off at a great pace. Bilbo hurried after him, still cautiously, though his chief fear now was of tripping on another snag and falling with a noise. His head was in a whirl of hope and wonder. It seemed that the ring he had was a magic ring: it made you invisible! He had heard of such things, of course, in old old tales; but it was hard to believe that he really had found one, by accident. Still there it was: Gollum with his bright eyes had passed him by, only a yard to one side. On they went, Gollum flip-flapping ahead, hissing and cursing; Bilbo behind going as softly as a hobbit can. Soon they came to place where, as Bilbo had noticed on the way down, side-passages opened, this way and that. Gollum began at once to count them.

“One left, yes (один налево, да). One right, yes (один направо, да). Two right, yes, yes (два справа, да, да). Two left, yes, yes (два слева, да, да). ” And so on and on (и так далее, и так далее).

As the count grew (когда счет увеличился: «вырос») he slowed down (он замедлил ход), and he began to get shaky and weepy (и он начал становиться неуверенным и плаксивым; shaky — шаткий, нетвердый, трясущийся; to shake — трясти (сь); to weep — плакать); for he was leaving the water further and further behind (так как он оставлял воду все дальше и дальше позади себя), and he was getting afraid (и он начинал бояться). Goblins might be about (гоблины могли быть где-то поблизости), and he had lost his ring (а он потерял свое кольцо). At last he stopped by a low opening (наконец он остановился у низкого отверстия), on their left as they went up (с левой стороны по ходу движения).

“Seven right, yes (семь справа, да). Six left, yes (шесть слева, да)!” he whispered (прошептал он). “This is it (это он) This is the way to the back-door, yes (это и есть путь к задней двери, да). Here’s the passage (здесь и есть проход)!”

He peered in (он заглянул внутрь), and shrank back (и отшатнулся; to shrink (shrank, shrunk) — уменьшаться, сокращаться; отскочить; отпрянуть, отшатнуться). “But we durstn’t go in, precious (но мы не отваживаемся войти внутрь, драгоценный; durst = уст. past от dare), no we durstn’t (нет, мы не отваживаемся). Goblinses down there (там гоблинсы). Lots of goblinses (кучи гоблинсов). We smells them (мы их чуем). Ssss (ссс)!”

“What shall we do (что же нам делать)? Curse them and crush them (черт их побери, чтобы им лопнуть: «прокляни их и раздави их»)! We must wait here, precious (мы должны подождать здесь, драгоценный), wait a bit and see (подождать чуточку и поглядеть). ”

So they came to a dead stop (итак, они остановились как вкопанные: «пришли к мертвой остановке»; dead — мертвый). Gollum had brought Bilbo to the way out after all (Голлум привел Бильбо к пути наружу, в конце концов), but Bilbo could not get in (но Бильбо не мог войти в /проход/)! There was Gollum sitting humped up right in the opening (там сидел Голлум, ссутулившись, прямо у отверстия), and his eyes gleamed cold in his head (и его глаза блестели холодным светом в его голове), as he swayed it from side to side (пока он качал ею из стороны в сторону) between his knees (между коленей).

shaky [ˈʃeɪkɪ] weepy [ˈwi: pɪ] durst [dǝ: st] knee [ni:]

“One left, yes. One right, yes. Two right, yes, yes. Two left, yes, yes. ” And so on and on.

As the count grew he slowed down, and he began to get shaky and weepy; for he was leaving the water further and further behind, and he was getting afraid. Goblins might be about, and he had lost his ring. At last he stopped by a low opening, on their left as they went up.

“Seven right, yes. Six left, yes!” he whispered. “This is it. This is the way to the back-door, yes. Here’s the passage!”

He peered in, and shrank back. “But we durstn’t go in, precious, no we durstn’t. Goblinses down there. Lots of goblinses. We smells them. Ssss!”

“What shall we do? Curse them and crush them! We must wait here, precious, wait a bit and see. ”

So they came to a dead stop. Gollum had brought Bilbo to the way out after all, but Bilbo could not get in! There was Gollum sitting humped up right in the opening, and his eyes gleamed cold in his head, as he swayed it from side to side between his knees.

Bilbo crept away from the wall (Бильбо отполз от стенки; to creep) more quietly than a mouse (тише, чем мышка); but Gollum stiffened at once (но Голлум тут же напрягся; to stiffen — придавать жесткость, укреплять; stiff — неподвижный, застывший), and sniffed (и шмыгнул носом), and his eyes went green (и его глаза позеленели). He hissed softly but menacingly (он зашипел мягко, но грозно; menace — угроза; to menace — грозить). He could not see the hobbit (он не мог видеть хоббита), but now he was on the alert (но теперь он был настороже), and he had other senses (и он обладал и другими чувствами) that the darkness had sharpened (которые обострила темнота): hearing and smell (слух и обоняние). He seemed to be crouched right down (он, казалось, практически припал к земле) with his flat hands splayed on the floor (его плоские лапищи неуклюже расположились на полу), and his head thrust out (голова выдвинута вперед), nose almost to the stone (нос, почти что у самых камней). Though he was only a black shadow (хотя тот был всего лишь черной тенью) in the gleam of his own eyes (в блеске его собственных глаз), Bilbo could see or feel (Бильбо мог видеть или чувствовать) that he was tense as a bowstring (что он напряжен, как тетива; bow — лук; string — веревка; тетива), gathered for a spring (собравшись для прыжка).

mouse [maʋs] menacingly [ˈmenɪsɪŋlɪ] crouched [kraʋtʃt]

Bilbo crept away from the wall more quietly than a mouse; but Gollum stiffened at once, and sniffed, and his eyes went green. He hissed softly but menacingly. He could not see the hobbit, but now he was on the alert, and he had other senses that the darkness had sharpened: hearing and smell. He seemed to be crouched right down with his flat hands splayed on the floor, and his head thrust out, nose almost to the stone. Though he was only a black shadow in the gleam of his own eyes, Bilbo could see or feel that he was tense as a bowstring, gathered for a spring.

Bilbo almost stopped breathing (Бильбо почти что перестал дышать), and went stiff himself (и сам замер). He was desperate (он был в отчаянии). He must get away (он должен выбраться), out of this horrible darkness (наружу, от этой ужасной темноты), while he had any strength left (пока у него осталось хоть немного силы; to leave — оставлять). He must fight (он должен бороться). He must stab the foul thing (он должен заколоть это отвратительно существо), put its eyes out (выколоть его глаза), kill it (убить его). It meant to kill him (тот намеревался убить его). No, not a fair fight (нет, это будет не честный бой). He was invisible now (теперь он был невидимым). Gollum had no sword (у Голлума не было меча). Gollum had not actually threatened to kill him (Голлум же, на самом деле, не угрожал убить его), or tried to yet (и пока не пытался). And he was miserable, alone, lost (и он был несчастен, одинок, потерян). A sudden understanding (внезапное понимание), a pity mixed with horror (жалость, смешанная с ужасом), welled up in Bilbo’s heart (переполнили сердце Бильбо; to well — подниматься, вскипать, бить ключом): a glimpse of endless unmarked days (быстро промелькнула перед его глазами картина бесконечных, ничем не отличающихся дней; unmarked — неотмеченный, незамеченный) without light or hope of betterment (без света или надежды на улучшение), hard stone (твердые камни), cold fish (холодная рыба), sneaking and whispering (передвижение украдкой и шептание; to sneak — красться, подкрадываться; идти крадучись). All these thoughts passed (все эти мысли пронеслись) in a flash of a second (в одно мгновение /за секунду/; flash — вспышка). He trembled (он задрожал; to tremble). And then quite suddenly in another flash (и затем, совершенно внезапно, в другое мгновение), as if lifted by a new strength and resolve (как будто поднятый новой силой и решительностью), he leaped (он прыгнул).

desperate [ˈdesp (ǝ) rɪt] threaten [ˈƟretn] betterment [ˈbetǝmǝnt]

Bilbo almost stopped breathing, and went stiff himself. He was desperate. He must get away, out of this horrible darkness, while he had any strength left. He must fight. He must stab the foul thing, put its eyes out, kill it. It meant to kill him. No, not a fair fight. He was invisible now. Gollum had no sword. Gollum had not actually threatened to kill him, or tried to yet. And he was miserable, alone, lost. A sudden understanding, a pity mixed with horror, welled up in Bilbo’s heart: a glimpse of endless unmarked days without light or hope of betterment, hard stone, cold fish, sneaking and whispering. All these thoughts passed in a flash of a second. He trembled. And then quite suddenly in another flash, as if lifted by a new strength and resolve, he leaped.

No great leap for a man (не очень-то большой прыжок для человека), but a leap in the dark (но прыжок-то в темноте). Straight over Gollum’s head he jumped (прямо над головой Голлума прыгнул он), seven feet forward (на семь футов вперед; foot (pl. feet) — фут, мера длины, равная 30, 48 см) and three in the air (и на три фута в воздух); indeed, had he known it (на самом-то деле, знал ли он), he only just missed cracking his skull (что он только что едва избежал пролома черепа; to crack — щелкать, трескаться, разбивать) on the low arch of the passage (о низкий свод прохода).

Gollum threw himself backwards (Голлум бросился назад; to throw (threw, thrown) — бросать), and grabbed (и сделал хватательное движение) as the hobbit flew over him (когда хоббит летел над ним; to fly (flew, flown) ), but too late (но слишком поздно): his hands snapped on thin air (его руки схватили пустой воздух; thin — тонкий; жидкий), and Bilbo, falling fair on his sturdy feet (и Бильбо, упав точно на свои крепенькие ножки), sped off down the new tunnel (понесся вниз по новому туннелю; to speed — двигаться поспешно; мчаться; speed — скорость). He did not turn (он не обернулся) to see what Gollum was doing (чтобы посмотреть, что делал Голлум). There was a hissing and cursing (были шипение и проклятия) almost at his heels at first (почти что позади него, поначалу; heel—пятка), then it stopped (затем все прекратилось). All at once there came a bloodcurdling shriek (почти сразу же раздался леденящий кровь крик; to curdle — свертываться /о крови/; blood — кровь), filled with hatred and despair (полный ненависти и отчаяния). Gollum was defeated (Голлум был побежден). He dared go no further (он не осмеливался идти дальше). He had lost (он потерял; to lose): lost his prey (потерял свою добычу), and lost, too (и потерял, так же), the only thing he had ever cared for (единственную вещь, которой он дорожил; tocare — заботиться, беспокоиться), his precious (его драгоценность). The cry brought Bilbo’s heart to his mouth (этот вопль перепугал Бильбо до смерти: «привел сердце Бильбо к его рту»), but still he held on (но все же он все продолжал двигаться). Now faint as an echo (теперь, уже слабый, как эхо), but menacing (но угрожающий), the voice came behind (позади раздавался голос):

“Thief (вор), thief, thief! Baggins! We hates it (мы ненавидим его), we hates it, we hates it for ever (мы ненавидим его навсегда)!”

arch [ɑ: tʃ] sturdy [ˈstǝ: dɪ] bloodcurdling [ˈblʌdkǝ: dlɪŋ] thief [Ɵi: f]

No great leap for a man, but a leap in the dark. Straight over Gollum’s head he jumped, seven feet forward and three in the air; indeed, had he known it, he only just missed cracking his skull on the low arch of the passage.

Gollum threw himself backwards, and grabbed as the hobbit flew over him, but too late: his hands snapped on thin air, and Bilbo, falling fair on his sturdy feet, sped off down the new tunnel. He did not turn to see what Gollum was doing. There was a hissing and cursing almost at his heels at first, then it stopped. All at once there came a bloodcurdling shriek, filled with hatred and despair. Gollum was defeated. He dared go no further. He had lost: lost his prey, and lost, too, the only thing he had ever cared for, his precious. The cry brought Bilbo’s heart to his mouth, but still he held on. Now faint as an echo, but menacing, the voice came behind:

“Thief, thief, thief! Baggins! We hates it, we hates it, we hates it for ever!”

Then there was a silence (потом наступила тишина). But that too seemed menacing to Bilbo (но и она тоже казалась угрожающей Бильбо).

“If goblins are so near (если гоблины так близко) that he smelt them (что он чувствовал их запах; to smell), ” he thought (думал он; to think), “then they’ll have heard his shrieking and cursing (тогда они услышали его крики и проклятия). Careful now (надо быть осторожным теперь), or this way will lead you to worse things (или этот путь приведет тебя к еще более плохим вещам). ” The passage was low and roughly made (проход был низким и небрежно: «грубо» сделанным). It was not too difficult for the hobbit (он не был очень-то сложным для хоббита), except when, in spite of all care (за исключением /тех случаев/, когда /он/, несмотря на все предосторожности), he stubbed his poor toes again (он спотыкался своими бедными ножками: «пальцами ног» снова), several times (несколько раз), on nasty jagged stones in the floor (об отвратительные зазубренные камни на полу; jag — острый выступ, зубец).

“A bit low for goblins (немного низковато для гоблинов), at least for the big ones (по меньшей мере, для больших гоблинов), ” thought Bilbo (думал Бильбо), not knowing (не зная) that even the big ones (что даже большие гоблины), the ores of the mountains (слава гор; ore—руда; /поэт. / (драгоценный) металл; слава, почет), go along at a great speed (продвигаются на большой скорости) stooping low (наклоняясь низко) with their hands almost on the ground (и их руки почти что /касаются/ земли).

Soon the passage (вскоре проход) that had been sloping down (который /до этого/ полого опускался) began to go up again (начал снова подниматься), and after a while it climbed steeply (и, спустя какое-то время, круто пошел вверх). That slowed Bilbo down (это снизило скорость Бильбо; slow — медленный; to slow down — замедлять). But at last the slope stopped (но наконец наклон прекратился), the passage turned a corner (проход повернул за угол), and dipped down again (и снова нырнул вниз), and there (и там), at the bottom of a short incline (на дне короткого склона), he saw (он увидел), filtering round another corner (просачивающийся из-за другого угла) — a glimpse of light (проблеск света). Not red light (не красного света), as of fire or lantern (как от костра или фонаря), but a pale out-of-doors sort of light (но бледного, уличного какого-то света; out-of-doors — на открытом воздухе). Then Bilbo began to run (тогда Бильбо начал бежать).

silence [ˈsaɪlǝns] menacing [ˈmenɪsɪŋ] roughly [ˈrʌflɪ] jagged [ˈdʒæɡɪd]

Then there was a silence. But that too seemed menacing to Bilbo. “If goblins are so near that he smelt them, ” he thought, “then they’ll have heard his shrieking and cursing. Careful now, or this way will lead you to worse things. ” The passage was low and roughly made. It was not too difficult for the hobbit, except when, in spite of all care, he stubbed his poor toes again, several times, on nasty jagged stones in the floor. “A bit low for goblins, at least for the big ones, ” thought Bilbo, not knowing that even the big ones, the ores of the mountains, go along at a great speed stooping low with their hands almost on the ground.

Soon the passage that had been sloping down began to go up again, and after a while it climbed steeply. That slowed Bilbo down. But at last the slope stopped, the passage turned a corner, and dipped down again, and there, at the bottom of a short incline, he saw, filtering round another corner — a glimpse of light. Not red light, as of fire or lantern, but a pale out-of-doors sort of light. Then Bilbo began to run.

Scuttling as fast as his legs would carry him (поспешно двигаясь, так быстро, как только его ноги могли нести его; to scuttle — поспешно бежать, удирать) he turned the last corner (он завернул за последний угол) and came suddenly right into an open space (и внезапно выбежал прямо на открытое пространство), where the light (где свет), after all that time in the dark (после всего времени /проведенного/ в темноте), seemed dazzlingly bright (казался ослепляющее ярким). Really it was only a leak of sunshine (на самом деле, это был только лучик солнечного света; leak — течь, утечка) in through a doorway (/попадавший/ внутрь сквозь дверной проем), where a great door, a stone door (в котором: «где» огромная дверь, каменная дверь), was left standing open (была оставлена открытой).

Bilbo blinked (Бильбо моргнул), and then suddenly he saw the goblins (и тогда внезапно он увидел гоблинов): goblins in full armour (гоблинов, в полном вооружении; armour — броня, кольчуга) with drawn swords (с обнаженными мечами) sitting just inside the door (сидящих как раз перед дверью), and watching it with wide eyes (и наблюдавших за ней широкими глазами), and watching the passage that led to it (и наблюдавших за проходом, ведущим к ней). They were aroused (они были возбуждены), alert (в боевой готовности), ready for anything (готовые ко всему).

They saw him sooner (они увидели его раньше) than he saw them (чем он увидел их). Yes, they saw him (да, они увидели его). Whether it was an accident (было ли это случайностью), or a last trick of the ring (или последним фокусом кольца) before it took a new master (до того, как оно приняло нового хозяина; to take — брать), it was not on his finger (но его на его пальце не было). With yells of delight (с воплями восторга) the goblins rushed upon him (гоблины бросились на него). A pang of fear and loss (внезапный приступ страха и потери), like an echo of Gollum’s misery (словно эхо несчастий Голлума), smote Bilbo (поразил Бильбо; to smite (smote, smitten) — ударять, бить), and forgetting even to draw his sword (и, позабыв даже обнажить: «вытащить» свой меч) he struck his hands into his pockets (он засунул свои руки в свои карманы). And there was the ring still (и кольцо все еще было там), in his left pocket (в его левом кармане), and it slipped on his finger (и оно наделось на его палец). The goblins stopped short (гоблины резко остановились). They could not see a sign of him (они не могли видеть ни следа его; sign — признак, знак). He had vanished (он исчез). They yelled twice as loud as before (они завопили в два раза громче, чем раньше), but not so delightedly (но уже не с таким восторгом).

through [Ɵru: ] armour [ˈɑ: mǝ] arouse [ǝˈraʋz] misery [ˈmɪz (ǝ) rɪ] vanish [ˈvænɪʃ] yell [jel] delightedly [dɪˈlaɪtɪdlɪ]

Scuttling as fast as his legs would carry him he turned the last corner and came suddenly right into an open space, where the light, after all that time in the dark, seemed dazzlingly bright. Really it was only a leak of sunshine in through a doorway, where a great door, a stone door, was left standing open.

Bilbo blinked, and then suddenly he saw the goblins: goblins in full armour with drawn swords sitting just inside the door, and watching it with wide eyes, and watching the passage that led to it. They were aroused, alert, ready for anything.

They saw him sooner than he saw them. Yes, they saw him. Whether it was an accident, or a last trick of the ring before it took a new master, it was not on his finger. With yells of delight the goblins rushed upon him. A pang of fear and loss, like an echo of Gollum’s misery, smote Bilbo, and forgetting even to draw his sword he struck his hands into his pockets. And — there was the ring still, in his left pocket, and it slipped on his finger. The goblins stopped short. They could not see a sign of him. He had vanished. They yelled twice as loud as before, but not so delightedly.

“Where is it (где он)?” they cried (закричали он).

“Go back up the passage (убежал назад в проход)!” some shouted (кричали одни).

“This way (сюда)!” some yelled (вопили одни). “That way (туда)!” others yelled (вопили другие).

“Look out for the door (стерегите дверь), ” bellowed the captain (проревел глава /гоблинов/; captain — капитан, глава).

Whistles blew (засвистели свистки), armour clashed (залязгало оружие), swords rattled (забряцали мечи; to rattle — трещать, грохотать; греметь), goblins cursed and swore (гоблины проклинали и ругались; to swear (swore, sworn) — клясться; присягать; ругаться) and ran hither and thither (и бегали туда и сюда), falling over one another (падая друг на друга) and getting very angry (и становясь очень сердитыми). There was a terrible outcry (раздавались: «были» громкие крики), to-do (/царила: «была»/ суматоха), and disturbance (и кутерьма; disturbance — волнения, беспорядки).

Bilbo was dreadfully frightened (Бильбо был ужасно перепуган), but he had the sense to understand (но у него хватило ума понять; sense — чувство, восприятие; сознание) what had happened (что случилось) and to sneak behind a big barrel (и скользнуть за большую бочку) which held drink for the goblin — guards (в которой хранилось питье для стражей-гоблинов), and so get out of the way (и таким образом убраться с дороги) and avoid being bumped into (и избежать того, чтобы в него врезались), trampled to death (затоптали до смерти), or caught by feel (или поймали на ощупь).

bellow [ˈbelǝʋ] whistle [ˈwɪs (ǝ) l] disturbance [dɪsˈtǝ: b (ǝ) ns]

“Where is it?” they cried.

“Go back up the passage!” some shouted.

“This way!” some yelled. “That way!” others yelled. “Look out for the door, ” bellowed the captain.

Whistles blew, armour clashed, swords rattled, goblins cursed and swore and ran hither and thither, falling over one another and getting very angry. There was a terrible outcry, to-do, and disturbance.

Bilbo was dreadfully frightened, but he had the sense to understand what had happened and to sneak behind a big barrel which held drink for the goblin-guards, and so get out of the way and avoid being bumped into, trampled to death, or caught by feel.

“I must get to the door (я должен добраться до двери), I must get to the door (я должен добраться до двери)!” he kept on saying to himself (он продолжал повторять себе), but it was a long time (но прошло много времени) before he ventured to try (до того, как он рискнул попробовать). Then it was like a horrible game of blind-man’s buff (тогда все было похоже на ужасную игру в жмурки). The place was full of goblins (все пространство было заполнено гоблинами; place — место) running about (бегающими вокруг), and the poor little hobbit (и бедный маленький хоббит) dodged this way and that (уклонялся от ударов так и эдак; dodge — обман, уловка, хитрость; to dodge — избегать, увертываться, уклоняться /от удара/; прятаться), was knocked over by a goblin (был сбит с ног каким-то гоблином) who could not make out (который не мог понять) what he had bumped into (во что же это он врезался), scrambled away on all fours (вскарабкался на четвереньки), slipped between the legs of the captain (проскользнул между ногами главы гоблинов) just in time (как раз вовремя), got up (поднялся на ноги), and ran for the door (и побежал к двери).

It was still ajar (она была все еще приоткрыта), but a goblin had pushed it nearly to (но какой-то гоблин почти что захлопнул ее). Bilbo struggled (Бильбо старался изо всех сил; to struggle — бороться, биться; делать усилия) but he could not move it (но он не мог сдвинуть ее). He tried to squeeze through the crack (он попытался протиснуться сквозь щелку; crack — трещина). He squeezed and squeezed (он протискивался и протискивался), and he stuck (и он застрял)! It was awful (это было ужасно). His buttons had got wedged (его пуговицы оказались зажатыми; wedge — клин; to wedge — втискивать, загонять; втискиваться) on the edge of the door and the door-post (между краем двери и дверным косяком). He could see outside into the open air (он мог смотреть наружу, на открытый воздух): there were a few steps (там было несколько ступенек) running down into a narrow valley (ведущих вниз, в узкую долину) between tall mountains (между высокими горами); the sun came out from behind a cloud (солнце вышло из-за облака) and shone bright (и светило ярко; to shine) on the outside of the door (на внешнюю сторону двери) — but he could not get through (но он не мог протиснуться).

Suddenly one of the goblins inside shouted (внезапно один из гоблинов в пещере: «внутри» закричал): “There is a shadow by the door (у двери какая-то тень). Something is outside (этот кто-то снаружи)!”

blind-man's-buff [blaɪndmænzˈbʌf] dodge [dɔdʒ] ajar [ǝˈdʒɑ: ] squeeze [skwi: z] wedged [wedʒd]

“I must get to the door, I must get to the door!” he kept on saying to himself, but it was a long time before he ventured to try. Then it was like a horrible game of blind-man’s buff. The place was full of goblins running about, and the poor little hobbit dodged this way and that, was knocked over by a goblin who could not make out what he had bumped into, scrambled away on all fours, slipped between the legs of the captain just in time, got up, and ran for the door.

It was still ajar, but a goblin had pushed it nearly to. Bilbo struggled but he could not move it. He tried to squeeze through the crack. He squeezed and squeezed, and he stuck! It was awful. His buttons had got wedged on the edge of the door and the door-post. He could see outside into the open air: there were a few steps running down into a narrow valley between tall mountains; the sun came out from behind a cloud and shone bright on the outside of the door — but he could not get through.

Suddenly one of the goblins inside shouted: “There is a shadow by the door. Something is outside!”

Bilbo’s heart jumped into his mouth (Бильбо испугался до смерти: «сердце Бильбо подпрыгнуло в его рот»). He gave a terrific squirm (он необычайно изогнулся; terrific — страшный, ужасающий; огромный, необычайный; squirm — изгибание, выгибание (тела); to squirm — извиваться, изгибаться). Buttons burst off in all directions (пуговицы разлетелись во все стороны: «направления»; to burst — взрываться, лопаться). He was through (он пролез: «был сквозь»), with a torn coat and waistcoat (с разорванной курткой и жилетом; to tear (tore, torn) — рвать, разрывать), leaping down the steps like a goat (и прыгал вниз по ступенькам, как козел), while bewildered goblins (пока сбитые с толку гоблины; to bewilder — смущать, ставить в тупик; сбивать с толку, приводить в замешательство) were still picking up his nice brass buttons (все еще подбирали его изящные медные пуговицы) on the doorstep (со ступеньки крыльца).

Of course they soon came down after him (конечно, вскоре они бросились вниз за ним), hooting and hallooing (гикая и улюлюкая), and hunting among the trees (и рыская за ним между деревьев). But they don’t like the sun (но они не любят солнце): it makes their legs wobble (от него их ноги дрожат) and their heads giddy (и их головы кружатся). They could not find Bilbo with the ring on (они не могли найти Бильбо, с кольцом на пальце), slipping in and out of the shadow of the trees (который скользил в тень и из тени деревьев), running quick and quiet (перебегая быстро и тихо), and keeping out of the sun (и держась подальше от солнца); so soon they went back (вскоре они вернулись назад) grumbling and cursing (ворча и проклиная) to guard the door (охранять дверь). Bilbo had escaped (Бильбо сбежал).

squirm [skwǝ: m] waistcoat [ˈweɪskǝʋt] bewildered [bɪˈwɪldǝd] halloo [hǝˈlu: ] wobble [ˈwɔb (ǝ) l]

Bilbo’s heart jumped into his mouth. He gave a terrific squirm. Buttons burst off in all directions. He was through, with a torn coat and waistcoat, leaping down the steps like a goat, while bewildered goblins were still picking up his nice brass buttons on the doorstep.

Of course they soon came down after him, hooting and hallooing, and hunting among the trees. But they don’t like the sun: it makes their legs wobble and their heads giddy. They could not find Bilbo with the ring on, slipping in and out of the shadow of the trees, running quick and quiet, and keeping out of the sun; so soon they went back grumbling and cursing to guard the door. Bilbo had escaped.