"Английский язык с М. Муркоком" - читать интересную книгу автора (Муркок Майкл)

CHAPTER NINE (глава девятая) Concerning Love and Hatred (о любви и ненависти)

concerning — относительно, касательно


Although doubtless magnificent by Mabden standards (хотя и, несомненно, великолепный по меркам мабденов; standard — стандарт, норма, образец), the Margravine's castle struck Prince Corum as simple and pleasant (замок маркграфини поразил Корума как простой и приятный = простотой и уютной атмосферой). At her invitation, he allowed himself to be bathed and oiled by castle servants (по ее предложению, он позволил себе быть вымытым = чтобы его вымыли и натерли благовониями слуги замка; invitation — приглашение; предложение; to oil — смазывать, пропитывать маслом) and was offered a selection of clothing to wear (и /ему/ предложили /на выбор/ много одежды, /чтобы носить/; selection — выбор, набор). He chose a samite shirt of dark blue (он выбрал парчовую рубаху темно-синего /цвета/; to choose), embroidered in a design of light blue (украшенную вышивкой светло-голубого /оттенка/; design — рисунок, узор; эскиз), a pair of brown linen breeks (/и/ пару штанов из коричневого полотна; linen — /льняное/ полотно; парусина, холст). The clothes fitted him well (одежда оказалась ему впору; to fit — быть впору, подходить).

`They were the Margrave's (они = эти вещи принадлежали маркграфу), a girl servant told him shyly, not looking at him directly (юная служанка сказала ему застенчиво, не глядя прямо на него; girl — девочка, девушка; служанка).

None of the servants had seemed at ease with him (никто из слуг не казался = не чувствовал себя свободно с ним). He guessed that his appearance was repellent to them (он догадался, что его внешность отталкивает их; repellent — отталкивающий, вызывающий отвращение).


magnificent [mxg`nIfIs (q) nt] pleasant [`plez (q) nt] invitation [, InvI`teIS (q) n] guessed [gest] repellent [rI`pelqnt]


Although doubtless magnificent by Mabden standards, the Margravine's castle struck Prince Corum as simple and pleasant. At her invitation, he allowed himself to be bathed and oiled by castle servants and was offered a selection of clothing to wear. He chose a samite shirt of dark blue, embroidered in a design of light blue, a pair of brown linen breeks. The clothes fitted him well.

`They were the Margrave's, a girl servant told him shyly, not looking at him directly.

None of the servants had seemed at ease with him. He guessed that his appearance was repellent to them.


Reminded of this, he asked the girl (поэтому, он попросил девушку; to remind — напоминать):

`Would you bring me a mirror (не принесешь ли ты мне зеркало)?

`Aye, lord (да, господин). She ducked her head and left the chamber (она наклонила голову и вышла из комнаты; to duck — быстро наклонять /голову/; уклоняться).

But it was the Margravine herself who returned with the mirror (но сама маркграфиня вернулась с зеркалом). She did not hand it to him immediately (она не подала его ему сразу).

`Have you not seen your face since it was injured (разве ты не видел своего лица после того, как оно было повреждено)? she asked.

He shook his head (он /отрицательно/ покачал головой; to shake).

`You were handsome (ты был хорош собой; handsome — красивый, статный /о мужчине/)?

`I do not know (не знаю).


mirror [`mIrq] immediately [I`mJdIqtlI] injured [`InGqd]


Reminded of this, he asked the girl:

`Would you bring me a mirror?

`Aye, lord. She ducked her head and left the chamber.

But it was the Margravine herself who returned with the mirror. She did not hand it to him immediately.

`Have you not seen your face since it was injured? she asked.

He shook his head.

`You were handsome?

`I do not know.


She looked at him frankly (она посмотрела на него откровенно).

`Yes, she said. `You were handsome.

Then she gave him the mirror (затем она дала ему зеркало).

The face he saw was framed by the same light golden hair (лицо, /которое/ он увидел, было обрамлено теми же легкими золотыми волосами), but it was no longer youthful (но оно больше не было юным). Fear and agony had left their marks (страх и страдания оставили свои отпечатки/следы; to leave). The face was lined and hard (лицо было испещрено морщинами и сурово) and the set of the mouth grim (губы жестоко искривились; set — положение, позиция частей тела; осанка; grim — жестокий, беспощадный; мрачный). One eye of gold and purple stared bleakly back at him (единственный золотисто-фиолетовый глаз смотрел мрачно на него). The other socket was an ugly hole made up of red, stained tissue (другая глазница представляла собой уродливую яму, состоявшую из красной, пятнистой ткани; socket — впадина, углубление; розетка; hole — дыра, отверстие; воронка; stained — в пятнах; окрашенный). There was a small scar on his left cheek and another on his neck (один маленький шрам был на его левой щеке, а другой — на шее). The face was still characteristically a Vadhagh face (лицо по-прежнему было типичным лицом вадага), but it had suffered abuse never suffered by a Vadhagh before (но оно перенесло /такое/ страдание, /которое/ никогда не знал /ни один/ вадаг раньше; to suffer — страдать, испытывать, подвергнуться; abuse — плохое, жестокое обращение; избиение). From the face of an angel it had been transformed by Glandyth's knives and irons into the face of a demon (из лика ангела оно было превращено ножами Гландита и /раскаленным/ железом в лицо демона).


tissue [`tISH] abuse [q`bjHs] angel [`eInG (q) l] demon [`dJmqn]


She looked at him frankly.

`Yes, she said. `You were handsome.

Then she gave him the mirror.

The face he saw was framed by the same light golden hair, but it was no longer youthful. Fear and agony had left their marks. The face was lined and hard and the set of the mouth grim. One eye of gold and purple stared bleakly back at him. The other socket was an ugly hole made up of red, stained tissue. There was a small scar on his left cheek and another on his neck. The face was still characteristically a Vadhagh face, but it had suffered abuse never suffered by a Vadhagh before. From the face of an angel it had been transformed by Glandyth's knives and irons into the face of a demon.


Silently, Corum gave her back the mirror (молча, Корум отдал ей назад = вернул зеркало).

He passed his good hand over the scars of his face and he brooded (он провел здоровой рукой по шрамам своего лица и сказал грустно; to brood — грустно размышлять).

`If I was handsome, I am ugly now (если я /и/ был красив, /то/ я уродлив теперь).

She shrugged (она пожала плечами).

`I have seen much worse (я видела намного хуже).

Then the rage began to fill him again (затем = и тут ярость начала наполнять его снова) and his eye blazed and he shook the stump of his hand and he shouted at her (его глаз сверкнул и он затряс обрубком руки и крикнул на нее /Ралину/).


silently [`saIlqntlI] scar [skR] shouted [`SautId]


Silently, Corum gave her back the mirror.

He passed his good hand over the scars of his face and he brooded.

`If I was handsome, I am ugly now.

She shrugged.

`I have seen much worse.

Then the rage began to fill him again and his eye blazed and he shook the stump of his hand and he shouted at her.


`Aye, and you will see much worse when I have done with Glandyth-a-Krae (да, и ты увидишь гораздо хуже = уродливее, когда я разделаюсь с Гландитом-а-Краэ)!

Surprised, she recoiled from him and then regained her composure (пораженная, она отпрянула от него, но затем вновь вернула свое самообладание = взяла себя в руки; to recoil — отскочить, отшатнуться).

`If you did not know you were handsome (если ты не знал, что красив), if you were not vain (если ты не был тщеславен), then why has this affected you so much (тогда почему это = шрамы подействовали на тебя так сильно)?

`I need my hands and my eyes so that I may kill Glandyth and watch him perish (мне нужны мои руки и глаза, чтобы я мог убить Гландита и смотреть, как он умрет). With only half of these, I lose half the pleasure (лишь с половиной из них = с одной рукой и с одним глазом я потеряю половину радости/удовольствия)!

`That is a childish statement, Prince Corum (это несерьезное утверждение, принц Корум; childish — детский, ребяческий). It is not worthy of a Vadhagh (оно недостойно вадага). What else has this Glandyth done (что еще этот Гландит сделал /тебе/)?


composure [kqm`pquZq] pleasure [`pleZq] worthy [`wq: DI]


`Aye, and you will see much worse when I have done with Glandyth-a-Krae!

Surprised, she recoiled from him and then regained her composure.

`If you did not know you were handsome, if you were not vain, then why has this affected you so much?

`I need my hands and my eyes so that I may kill Glandyth and watch him perish. With only half of these, I lose half the pleasure!

`That is a childish statement, Prince Corum. It is not worthy of a Vadhagh. What else has this Glandyth done?


Corum realised that he had not told her (Корум понял, что он не рассказал ей /того/), that she would not know, living in this remote place (чего она не знала, живя в этом отдаленном месте), as cut off from the world as any Vadhagh had been (так же отрезанная от мира, как и любой вадаг жил /когда-то/).

`He has slain all the Vadhagh (он убил всех вадагов; to slay), he said. `Glandyth has destroyed my race and would have destroyed me (уничтожил мой народ и уничтожил бы меня) if it had not been for your friend, the Giant of Laahr (если бы не твой друг, Великан из Лаара).

`He has done what (он сделал что) … Her voice was faint (ее голос был слабым). She was plainly shocked (она явно была потрясена).

`He has put all my folk to death (он убил всех моих родных; to put to death — лишить жизни, казнить, убить; death — смерть).

`For what reason (но зачем: «по какой причине»)? Have you been warring with this Glandyth (вы воевали с этим Гландитом)?


realised [`rIqlaIzd] death [deT] reason [rJzn]


Corum realised that he had not told her, that she would not know, living in this remote place, as cut off from the world as any Vadhagh had been.

`He has slain all the Vadhagh, he said. `Glandyth has destroyed my race and would have destroyed me if it had not been for your friend, the Giant of Laahr.

`He has done what… Her voice was faint. She was plainly shocked.

`He has put all my folk to death.

`For what reason? Have you been warring with this Glandyth?


`We did not know of his existence (мы /даже/ не знали о его существовании). It did not occur to us to guard against the Mabden (нам и в голову не приходило остерегаться мабденов; to guard against — остерегаться, защищаться от). They seemed so much like brutes (они казались так сильно похожими на животных), incapable of harming us in our castles (неспособных повредить нам в наших замках; to harm — причинять вред; наносить ущерб). But they have razed all our castles (но они разрушили все наши замки; to raze — разрушать до основания, сносить). Every Vadhagh save me is dead (каждый вадаг = все вадаги, кроме меня, мертвы) and most of the Nhadragh, I learned, who are not their cringing slaves (и большинство надрагов /тоже/, /как/ я узнал, /кроме тех/, кто является их рабами; to cringe — раболепствовать, пресмыкаться).

`Are these the Mabden whose king is called Lyr-a-Brode of Kalenwyre (это не те ли мабдены, чей король зовется Лир-а-Брод из Каленуира)?

`They are (это они).

`I, too, did not know they had become so powerful (я тоже не знала, /что/ они стали столь могущественными).


existence [Ig`zIst (q) ns] guard [gRd] incapable [In`keIpqbl] cringing [`krInGIN]


`We did not know of his existence. It did not occur to us to guard against the Mabden. They seemed so much like brutes, incapable of harming us in our castles. But they have razed all our castles. Every Vadhagh save me is dead and most of the Nhadragh, I learned, who are not their cringing slaves.

`Are these the Mabden whose king is called Lyr-a-Brode of Kalenwyre?

`They are.

`I, too, did not know they had become so powerful.


I had assumed that it was the Pony Tribes who had captured you (я полагала, что это племена на пони захватили тебя). I wondered why you were travelling alone so far from the nearest Vadhagh castle (я удивилась, почему ты путешествовал один так далеко от ближайшего вадагского замка).

`What castle is that (что это за замок)? For a moment Corum hoped that there were Vadhagh still alive (на мгновение Корум надеялся = вспыхнула надежда, что есть вадаги, /которые/ еще живы), much further West than he had guessed (/живущие/ намного западнее, чем он предполагал; to guess — гадать, догадываться; считать).

`It is called Castle Eran — Erin — some such name (он называется замок Эран — Эрин — какое-то такое название).

`Erorn?

`Aye. That sounds the right name (это звучит правильным названием = именно так). It is over five hundred miles from here (/до/ него более пятисот миль отсюда) …


assumed [q`sjHmd] captured [`kxpCqd] castle [kRsl] guessed [gest]


I had assumed that it was the Pony Tribes who had captured you. I wondered why you were travelling alone so far from the nearest Vadhagh castle.

`What castle is that? For a moment Corum hoped that there were Vadhagh still alive, much further West than he had guessed.

`It is called Castle Eran — Erin — some such name.

`Erorn?

`Aye. That sounds the right name. It is over five hundred miles from here…


`Five hundred miles? Have I come so far (неужели я пришел = оказался так далеко)? The Giant of Laahr must have carried me much further than I suspected (Великан из Лаара, должно быть, унес меня намного дальше, чем я предполагал). That castle you mention, my lady, was our castle (тот замок, /что/ ты упомянула, моя леди, был нашим замком = моих родных). The Mabden destroyed it (мабдены уничтожили его). It will take me longer than I thought to return and find Earl Glandyth and his Denledhyssi (это займет у меня больше /времени/, чем я думал, чтобы вернуться и найти графа Гландита и его денледисси).

Suddenly Corum realised just how alone he was (вдруг Корум осознал, насколько он одинок; just — точно, именно; только что; совершенно, просто /в качестве усиления/). It was as if he had entered another plane of Earth (это было, словно он проник в другую плоскость Земли) where everything was alien to him (где все было чуждо ему; alien — иностранный, чуждый, несвойственный). He knew nothing of this world (он ничего не знал об этом мире). A world in which the Mabden ruled (мире, в котором правили мабдены). How proud his race had been (сколь гордой была его раса/народ). How foolish (сколь глупой). If only they had concerned themselves with knowledge of the world around them (если бы только они получали знания = изучали /реальный/ мир вокруг себя; to concern oneself with something — заниматься чем-либо, интересоваться чем-либо) instead of seeking after abstractions (вместо поиска абстракций; to seek after — добиваться чего-то, стремиться к чему-то).

Corum bowed his head (опустил голову; to bow — гнуть/ся/; наклонять голову).


alien [`eIlIqn] proud [praud] instead [In`sted] bowed [baud]


`Five hundred miles? Have I come so far? The Giant of Laahr must have carried me much further than I suspected. That castle you mention, my lady, was our castle. The Mabden destroyed it. It will take me longer than I thought to return and find Earl Glandyth and his Denledhyssi.

Suddenly Corum realised just how alone he was. It was as if he had entered another plane of Earth where everything was alien to him. He knew nothing of this world. A world in which the Mabden ruled. How proud his race had been. How foolish. If only they had concerned themselves with knowledge of the world around them instead of seeking after abstractions.

Corum bowed his head.


The Margravine Rhalina seemed to understand his emotion (маркграфиня Ралина, казалось, поняла его чувство = душевное состояние). She lightly touched his arm (она легко коснулась его руки).

`Come, Prince of Vadhagh. You must eat (ты должен поесть).

He allowed her to lead him from the room and into another (он позволил ей вести себя = пошел покорно за ней из этой комнаты в другую) where a meal had been laid out for them both (где пища была выставлена /на столе/ = приготовлена для них обоих; to lay out — выкладывать, выставлять). The food — mainly fruit and forms of edible seaweed (пища — в основном фрукты и разновидности съедобных /морских/ водорослей; seaweed: sea — море; weed — сорная трава, сорняк) — was much closer to his taste (была намного ближе к его вкусу = больше подходила ему) than any Mabden food he had seen previously (чем любая мабденская еда, которую он видел раньше). He realised that he was very hungry and that he was deeply tired (он понял, что очень голоден и смертельно устал; deeply — глубоко; крайне, в высокой степени). His mind was confused (его душа была в смятении; mind — разум, ум; дух, душа; расположение духа; to confuse — смущать, приводить в беспорядок) and his only certainty was the hatred he still felt for Glandyth (и его единственной уверенностью было = он был уверен лишь в своей ненависти, /которую/ по-прежнему чувствовал к Гландиту) and the vengeance he intended to take as soon as possible (и в /жажде/ мести, /которую/ он намеревался осуществить как можно скорее).


edible [`edIbl] confused [kqn`fjHzd] hatred [`heItrId] vengeance [`venG (q) ns]


The Margravine Rhalina seemed to understand his emotion. She lightly touched his arm.

`Come, Prince of Vadhagh. You must eat.

He allowed her to lead him from the room and into another where a meal had been laid out for them both. The food — mainly fruit and forms of edible seaweed — was much closer to his taste than any Mabden food he had seen previously. He realised that he was very hungry and that he was deeply tired. His mind was confused and his only certainty was the hatred he still felt for Glandyth and the vengeance he intended to take as soon as possible.


As they ate, they did not speak (когда они ели, они не разговаривали; to eat), but the Margravine watched his face the whole time (но маркграфиня смотрела ему в лицо все время) and once or twice she opened her lips as if to say something (и раз или два открывала губы, словно чтобы сказать что-то), but then seemed to decide against it (но потом, казалось, передумывала; to decide against — решить не делать что-то).

The room in which they ate was small (комната, в которой они ели, была небольшой) and hung with rich tapestries covered in fine embroidery (увешанной роскошными гобеленами с изящной/тонкой вышивкой; to cover — накрывать, покрывать; скрывать). As he finished his food and began to observe the details of the tapestry (когда он закончил с едой и начал рассматривать детали/элементы гобелена; to observe — наблюдать, вести /научные/ наблюдения; подмечать), the scenes thereon began to swim before his eyes (сцены, /изображенный/ на нем, стали расплываться у него перед глазами; thereon — на т ом, на этом; to swim — плавать, плыть; кружиться /о голове/). He looked questioningly at the Margravine, but her face was expressionless (он посмотрел вопросительно на маркграфиню, но ее лицо было спокойным; expressionless — невыразительный; expression — выражение). His head felt light and he had lost the use of his limbs (его голова ощущала легкость, а он потерял способность пользоваться своими конечностями = руки и ноги отказывались повиноваться; use — применение, /ис/пользование; способность или право пользования).

He tried to form words (он попытался произнести слова = заговорить; to form — придавать форму, строить, создавать), but they would not come (но слова не шли).

He had been drugged (его отравили; to drug — подмешивать яд или наркотики в пищу; давать наркотики).


embroidery [Im`brOId (q) rI] scene [sJn] questioningly [`kwesC (q) nINlI] limb [lIm]


As they ate, they did not speak, but the Margravine watched his face the whole time and once or twice she opened her lips as if to say something, but then seemed to decide against it.

The room in which they ate was small and hung with rich tapestries covered in fine embroidery. As he finished his food and began to observe the details of the tapestry, the scenes thereon began to swim before his eyes. He looked questioningly at the Margravine, but her face was expressionless. His head felt light and he had lost the use of his limbs.

He tried to form words, but they would not come.

He had been drugged.


The woman had poisoned his food (женщина отравила его пищу).

Once again he had allowed himself to become a victim of the Mabden (снова он позволил себе стать жертвой мабденов). He rested his head on his arms (он положил голову на руки; to rest — покоиться, лежать; класть, прислонять) and fell, unwillingly, into a deep sleep (и погрузился, не желая того, в глубокий сон; unwillingly — неохотно, против воли).

Corum dreamed again (Корум снова увидел сон).

He saw Castle Erorn as he had left it when he had first ridden out (он видел замок Эрорн /таким/, каким он покинул его, когда впервые выехал = отправился в путь). He saw his father's wise face speaking (он увидел мудрое лицо отца, говорившего /что-то/) and strained to hear the words, but could not (и напряг /слух/, чтобы услышать слова, но не смог; to strain — напрягать/ся/). He saw his mother at work (он увидел свою мать за работой), writing her latest treatise on mathematics (писавшую свой последний труд по математике; treatise — трактат, научный труд). He saw his sisters dancing to his uncle's new music (он увидел своих сестер, танцевавших под новую музыку его дяди).

The atmosphere was joyful (атмосфера была радостной/счастливой).


treatise [`trJtIz] mathematics [, mxTI`mxtIks] uncle [ANkl] atmosphere [`xtmqsfIq]


The woman had poisoned his food.

Once again he had allowed himself to become a victim of the Mabden. He rested his head on his arms and fell, unwillingly, into a deep sleep.

Corum dreamed again.

He saw Castle Erorn as he had left it when he had first ridden out. He saw his father's wise face speaking and strained to hear the words, but could not. He saw his mother at work, writing her latest treatise on mathematics. He saw his sisters dancing to his uncle's new music.

The atmosphere was joyful.


But now he realised that he could not understand their activities (но теперь он осознал, что не может понять их занятий). They seemed strange and pointless to him (они = их занятия казались ему странными и бессмысленными). They were like children playing, unaware that a savage beast stalked them (они были, словно играющие дети, не подозревающие, что дикий/свирепый зверь подкрался к ним; to stalk — подкрадываться; скрыто преследовать).

He tried to cry out — to warn them — but he had no voice (он попытался закричать — чтобы предупредить их — но у него не было голоса).

He saw fires begin to spring up in rooms (он видел, как огни = языки пламени начинают охватывать комнаты; to spring up — возникать; быстро расти) — saw Mabden warriors who had entered the unprotected gates (видел мабденских воинов, которые вошли через незащищенные ворота) without the inhabitants being in the least aware of their presence (без обитателей, хоть немного осознающих их присутствие = никто в замке ни о чем не подозревал; to be aware of — знать о, осознавать). Laughing among themselves (посмеиваясь /между собой/), the Mabden put the silk hangings and the furnishings to the torch (мабдены поджигали шелковые портьеры и мебель /факелом/; to put to the torch — предать огню; furnishings — предметы мебели, домашние принадлежности).

Now he saw his kinfolk again (теперь он увидел своих родных снова). They had become aware of the fires and were rushing to seek their source (они поняли, что /в замке/ пожар и бросились искать его источник; to become aware — ощущать; осознавать, понимать; to rush — бросаться, устремляться).


savage [`sxvIG] stalked [stLkt] presence [`prez (q) ns] source [sLs]


But now he realised that he could not understand their activities. They seemed strange and pointless to him. They were like children playing, unaware that a savage beast stalked them.

He tried to cry out — to warn them — but he had no voice.

He saw fires begin to spring up in rooms — saw Mabden warriors who had entered the unprotected gates without the inhabitants being in the least aware of their presence. Laughing among themselves, the Mabden put the silk hangings and the furnishings to the torch.

Now he saw his kinfolk again. They had become aware of the fires and were rushing to seek their source.


His father came into a room in which Glandyth-a-Krae stood (его отец вошел в комнату, в которой Гландит-а-Краэ стоял; to stand), hurling books on to a pyre he had erected in the middle of the chamber (швыряя книги в костер, /который/ развел в центре комнаты; pyre — погребальный костер; to erect — сооружать, возводить). His father watched in astonishment as Glandyth burned the books (его отец смотрел в изумлении, как Гландит сжигает книги). His father's lips moved and his eyes were questioning — almost polite surprise (губы отца шевелились, а глаза спрашивали = в глазах застыл вопрос — почти вежливое удивление). Glandyth turned and grinned at him (обернулся и ухмыльнулся ему), drawing his axe from his belt (вытаскивая топор из-за пояса). He raised the axe (он занес топор) …

Now Corum saw his mother (затем Корум увидел свою мать). Two Mabden held her while another heaved himself up and down on her naked body (двое мабденов держали ее, пока еще один = третий поднимался и опускался над ее обнаженным телом).

Corum tried to enter the scene, but something stopped him (Корум попытался проникнуть туда, но что-то остановило его; scene — место действия, события).


pyre [`paIq] polite [pq`laIt] heaved [hJvd] scene [sJn]


His father came into a room in which Glandyth-a-Krae stood, hurling books on to a pyre he had erected in the middle of the chamber. His father watched in astonishment as Glandyth burned the books. His father's lips moved and his eyes were questioning — almost polite surprise. Glandyth turned and grinned at him, drawing his axe from his belt. He raised the axe…

Now Corum saw his mother. Two Mabden held her while another heaved himself up and down on her naked body.

Corum tried to enter the scene, but something stopped him.


He saw his sisters and his cousin suffering the same fate as his mother (он видел своих сестер и кузину, разделивших участь его матери; to suffer — страдать, испытывать; fate — судьба; доля, жребий). Again his path to them was blocked by something invisible (снова его путь к ним был прегражден чем-то невидимым).

He struggled to get through (он пытался пробиться /к ним/; to struggle — бороться; стараться изо всех сил; to get through — пройти через что-либо), but now the Mabden were slitting the girls' throats (но теперь мабдены перерезали девушкам горло; to slit — разрезать в длину, вдоль). They quivered and died like slain fawns (они дрожали /в судорогах/ и умирали, словно прирезанные козочки; to quiver — дрожать, трястись; fawn — молодой олень; детеныш /зверя/).

Corum began to weep (Корум начал плакать).

He was still weeping, but he lay against a warm body (он по-прежнему плакал, но лежал /теперь/ рядом с /чьим-то/ теплым телом) and from somewhere in the distance came a soothing voice (и откуда-то издалека доносился утешающий голос).


cousin [kAzn] invisible [In`vIzqbl] quivered [`kwIvqd] fawn [fLn]


He saw his sisters and his cousin suffering the same fate as his mother. Again his path to them was blocked by something invisible.

He struggled to get through, but now the Mabden were slitting the girls' throats. They quivered and died like slain fawns.

Corum began to weep.

He was still weeping, but he lay against a warm body and from somewhere in the distance came a soothing voice.


His head was being stroked (его гладила по голове) and he was being rocked back and forth in a soft bed by the woman (и качала вперед-назад = убаюкивала в мягкой постели женщина) on whose breast he lay (на чьей груди он лежал).

For a moment he tried to free himself, but she held him tight (на миг он попытался высвободиться /из ее объятий/, но она держала его крепко).

He began to weep again, freely this time (он снова заплакал, легко = от облегчения на этот раз), great groans racking his body, until he slept again (сильные рыдания изнуряли его тело, пока он не уснул снова; groan — стон, тяжелый вздох; to rack — истощать, изнурять). And now the sleep was free from dreams (и теперь его сон был свободен от сновидений) …

He awoke feeling anxious (он проснулся, ощущая беспокойство; to awake; anxious — тревожный, беспокойный). He felt that he had slept for too long (он чувствовал, что проспал слишком долго), that he must be up and doing something (что он должен встать и сделать что-то = начать действовать). He half raised himself in the bed (он приподнялся: «наполовину поднял себя» в кровати) and then sank down again into the pillows (затем упал снова на подушки; to sink).


breast [brest] anxious [`xNkSqs]


His head was being stroked and he was being rocked back and forth in a soft bed by the woman on whose breast he lay.

For a moment he tried to free himself, but she held him tight.

He began to weep again, freely this time, great groans racking his body, until he slept again. And now the sleep was free from dreams…

He awoke feeling anxious. He felt that he had slept for too long, that he must be up and doing something. He half raised himself in the bed and then sank down again into the pillows.


It slowly came to him that he was much refreshed (медленно ему стало ясно, что его силы значительно восстановились; to refresh — восстанавливать силы; освежать/ся/, подкреплять/ся/). For the first time since he had set off on his quest (впервые после того, как он отправился на поиски), he felt full of energy and well-being (Корум почувствовал себя полным энергии и здоровья; well-being — здоровье, хорошее самочувствие; благополучие). Even the darkness in his mind seemed to have retreated (даже тьма в его душе, казалось, отступила).

So the Margravine had drugged him (итак, маркграфиня что-то подмешала ему в пищу), but now, it seemed, it had been a drug to make him sleep (лишь теперь, по-видимому = стало ясно, что это было снадобье, чтобы усыпить его; drug — медикамент, снадобье), to help him regain his strength (помочь ему восстановить силы).

But how many days had he slept (но сколько дней он проспал)?

He stirred again in the bed (он снова пошевелился в постели; to stir — шевелить/ся/, двигать/ся/; копошиться) and felt the soft warmth of another beside him, on his blind side (и ощутил мягкое тепло другого /тела/ возле себя, на своей слепой стороне = со стороны, где был незрячий глаз). He turned his head and there was Rhalina (он повернул голову — там была Ралина), her eyes closed, her sweet face at peace (ее глаза были закрыты, а привлекательное лицо — безмятежно: «в мире»; sweet — сладкий; приятный, очаровательный).


strength [streNT] warmth [wLmT] peace [pJs]


It slowly came to him that he was much refreshed. For the first time since he had set off on his quest, he felt full of energy and well-being. Even the darkness in his mind seemed to have retreated.

So the Margravine had drugged him, but now, it seemed, it had been a drug to make him sleep, to help him regain his strength.

But how many days had he slept?

He stirred again in the bed and felt the soft warmth of another beside him, on his blind side. He turned his head and there was Rhalina, her eyes closed, her sweet face at peace.


He recalled his dreaming (он вспомнил свой сон). He recalled the comfort he had been given (вспомнил покой, /который/ он обрел: «ему дали»; comfort — удобство; нега, утешение) as all the misery in him poured forth (словно все страдания его: «в нем» ушли; misery — страдание, несчастье; to pour — лить/ся/, выливаться; to pour forth — изливать /чувства/; сыпать словами).

Rhalina had comforted him (Ралина успокоила его = подарила ему этот покой). He reached out with his good hand to stroke the tumbled hair (он потянулся своей здоровой рукой, чтобы погладить спутанные волосы; to tumble — приводить в беспорядок, ворошить, ерошить /волосы/). He felt affection for her (он чувствовал привязанность к ней) — an affection almost as strong as he had felt for his own family (привязанность почти такую же сильную, как он испытывал к своей семье).

Reminded of his dead kin (вспомнив о погибших родственниках), he stopped stroking her hair (он прекратил гладить ее волосы) and contemplated, instead, the puckered stump of his left hand (и уставился вместо этого на сморщенный обрубок левой руки; to contemplate — /пристально/ разглядывать, созерцать). It was completely healed now (он = рана полностью зажила теперь), leaving a rounded end of white skin (оставив округленный край белой = светлой кожи). He looked back at Rhalina (он оглянулся на Ралину). How could she bear to share her bed with such a cripple (как она могла разделить ложе с таким калекой; to bear — выдерживать, переносить)?


misery [`mIzqrI] poured [pLd] contemplated [`kOntqmpleItId] rounded [`raundId]


He recalled his dreaming. He recalled the comfort he had been given as all the misery in him poured forth.

Rhalina had comforted him. He reached out with his good hand to stroke the tumbled hair. He felt affection for her — an affection almost as strong as he had felt for his own family.

Reminded of his dead kin, he stopped stroking her hair and contemplated, instead, the puckered stump of his left hand. It was completely healed now, leaving a rounded end of white skin. He looked back at Rhalina. How could she bear to share her bed with such a cripple?


As he looked at her, she opened her eyes and smiled at him (когда он посмотрел на нее, она открыла глаза и улыбнулась ему).

He thought he detected pity in that smile (ему показалось, он заметил жалость в той улыбке; to detect — замечать, обнаруживать) and was immediately resentful (и тотчас же обиделся; resentful — обиженный, возмущенный; to resent — негодовать, возмущаться; обижаться). He began to climb from the bed (он принялся выбираться из постели; to climb — взбираться, карабкаться), but her hand on his shoulder stopped him (но ее рука на его плече остановила его).

`Stay with me Corum, for I need your comforting now (останься со мной, Корум, потому что мне нужно твое утешение теперь).

He paused, looked back at her suspiciously (он помедлил, оглянувшись на нее подозрительно).

`Please, Corum. I believe that I love you (кажется, я люблю тебя; to believe — верить; думать, полагать).

He frowned (он нахмурился).


resentful [rI`zentful] shoulder [`Squldq] suspiciously [sq`spISqslI]


As he looked at her, she opened her eyes and smiled at him.

He thought he detected pity in that smile and was immediately resentful. He began to climb from the bed, but her hand on his shoulder stopped him.

`Stay with me Corum, for I need your comforting now.

He paused, looked back at her suspiciously.

`Please, Corum. I believe that I love you.

He frowned.


`Love (любовь)? Between Vadhagh and Mabden (между вадагом и мабденом)? Love of that kind (любовь этого вида = что же это за любовь)? He shook his head (он покачал головой). `Impossible (невозможно). There could be no issue (не может быть никакого плода = детей /от такой любви/; issue — исход, результат; потомство, дети).

`No children, I know. But love gives birth to other things (но любовь дает рождение другим вещам = любовь — это не только дети; to give birth to — родить, произвести на свет; дать начало) …

`I do not understand you (я не понимаю тебя).

`I am sorry (прости), she said. `I was selfish (я была эгоистичной). I am taking advantage of you (я воспользовалась тобой = твоей слабостью; to take advantage of something — использовать что-либо в своих интересах; пользоваться преимуществом чего-либо). She sat up in bed (она села в постели). I have slept with no one else since my husband went away (я не делила ложе: «не спала» больше ни с кем, с тех пор как мой муж уплыл). I am not (я не) …

Corum studied her body (Корум рассматривал ее тело). It moved him and yet it should not have done (оно = красота ее тела взволновала его, однако не должна была; to move — трогать, волновать; вызывать /чувства, эмоции и т. д. /). It was unnatural for one species to feel such emotion for another (было неестественным для /представителя/ одного вида испытывать подобное чувство к /представителю/ другого) …


issue [`ISH] advantage [qd`vRntIG] unnatural [An`nxC (q) rql] species [`spJSJz]


`Love? Between Vadhagh and Mabden? Love of that kind? He shook his head. `Impossible. There could be no issue.

`No children, I know. But love gives birth to other things…

`I do not understand you.

`I am sorry, she said. `I was selfish. I am taking advantage of you. She sat up in bed. I have slept with no one else since my husband went away. I am not…

Corum studied her body. It moved him and yet it should not have done. It was unnatural for one species to feel such emotion for another…


He reached down and kissed her breast (он наклонился и поцеловал ее грудь; to reach down — тянуться /вытягивать руку/ вниз). She clasped his head (она обняла его голову; to clasp — обнимать, обхватывать, сжимать). They sank, again, into the sheets, making gentle love (они снова опустились на простыни, слившись в нежной любви; to make love — заниматься любовью; gentle — тихий, нежный, ласковый), learning of one another as only those truly in love may (постигая друг друга /так/, как только те, /кто/ действительно влюблен, могут).

After some hours, she said to him (через несколько часов она сказала ему).

`Corum, you are the last of your race (Корум, ты последний /представитель/ своего племени). I will never see my people again (я никогда не увижу моего народа снова), save for those retainers who are here (кроме тех подданных, что находятся здесь; retainer — слуга /постоянно живущий в семье/). It is peaceful in this castle (в этом замке мирно/спокойно) … There is little that would disturb that peace (мало что нарушит этот мир; to disturb — беспокоить, тревожить). Would you not consider staying here with me (не желаешь ли остаться здесь со мной; to consider — рассматривать, обдумывать, полагать) — at least for a few months (по крайней мере, на несколько месяцев)?

`I have sworn to avenge the deaths of my folk (я поклялся отомстить за смерть моих родных; to swear), he reminded her softly, and kissed her cheek (напомнил он ей тихо и поцеловал в щеку).


castle [kRsl] disturb [dIs`tq: b] avenge [q`venG]


He reached down and kissed her breast. She clasped his head. They sank, again, into the sheets, making gentle love, learning of one another as only those truly in love may.

After some hours, she said to him.

`Corum, you are the last of your race. I will never see my people again, save for those retainers who are here. It is peaceful in this castle… There is little that would disturb that peace. Would you not consider staying here with me — at least for a few months?

`I have sworn to avenge the deaths of my folk, he reminded her softly, and kissed her cheek.


`Such oaths are not true to your nature, Corum (подобные клятвы противны твоей природе, Корум; true — верный, правильный; подходящий). You are one who would rather love than hate, I know (ты тот, кто /способен/ скорее любить, чем ненавидеть, я знаю).

`I cannot answer that (я не могу /ничего/ ответить на это; to answer — отвечать, реагировать; возражать), he replied (ответил он), `for I will not consider my life fulfilled unless I destroy Glandyth-a-Krae (потому что не буду считать свою жизнь законченной, пока не уничтожу Гландита-а-Краэ; to fulfill — выполнять, осуществлять). This wish is not so hate-begotten as you might think (это желание не такое ненавистью порожденное = порождено отнюдь не ненавистью, как ты можешь подумать; to beget — производить, /по/рождать). I feel, perhaps, like one who sees a disease spreading through a forest (я чувствую себя, пожалуй, как тот, кто видит болезнь, распространяющуюся по лесу). One hopes to cut out the diseased plants (он надеется вырубить заболевшие растения) so that the others may grow straight and live (чтобы остальные могли расти прямыми и здоровыми; live — живой; энергичный, полный сил). That is my feeling concerning Glandyth-a-Krae (таково мое отношение к Гландиту-а-Краэ). He has formed the habit of killing (он создал обычай убивать = привык убивать). Now that he has killed all the Vadhagh (теперь, когда он уничтожил всех вадагов), he will want to kill others (он захочет уничтожить другие /народы/). If he finds no more strangers (если он не найдет больше чужестранцев), he will begin to kill those wretches who occupy the villages ruled by Lyr-a-Brode (он начнет убивать тех несчастных, что занимают = живут в деревнях, управляемых Лир-а-Бродом). Fate has given me the impetus I need (судьба дала мне стимул, необходимый; impetus — побуждение, толчок, импульс; to give impetus to — стимулировать, дать толчок) to pursue this attitude of mine to its proper conclusion, Rhalina (чтобы довести эту мою миссию до должного завершения, Ралина; to pursue — выполнять, совершать; придерживаться /плана/; attitude — позиция, отношение, точка зрения).


disease [dI`zJz] impetus [`ImpItqs] pursue [pq`sjH] conclusion [kqn`klHZ (q) n]


`Such oaths are not true to your nature, Corum. You are one who would rather love than hate, I know.

`I cannot answer that, he replied, `for I will not consider my life fulfilled unless I destroy Glandyth-a-Krae. This wish is not so hate-begotten as you might think. I feel, perhaps, like one who sees a disease spreading through a forest. One hopes to cut out the diseased plants so that the others may grow straight and live. That is my feeling concerning Glandyth-a-Krae. He has formed the habit of killing. Now that he has killed all the Vadhagh, he will want to kill others. If he finds no more strangers, he will begin to kill those wretches who occupy the villages ruled by Lyr-a-Brode. Fate has given me the impetus I need to pursue this attitude of mine to its proper conclusion, Rhalina.


`But why go from here now (но зачем уходить отсюда сейчас)? Sooner or later we will receive news concerning this Glandyth (рано или поздно мы получим известия об этом Гландите). When that moment arrives (когда этот момент наступит; to arrive — прибывать, добираться; наступать), then you can set forth to exact your vengeance (тогда ты сможешь отправиться /в путь/, чтобы отомстить; to exact — взыскивать, настаивать на выполнении).

He pursed his lips (он поджал губы).

`Perhaps you are right (возможно, ты права).

`And you must learn to do without your hand and your eye (и ты должен научиться обходиться без руки и глаза), she said. `That will take much practice, Corum (это потребует много практики, Корум; practice — упражнение, тренировка).

`True (верно).

`So stay here, with me (ну так останься здесь, со мной).

`I will agree to this much, Rhalina (я соглашусь с этим, Ралина). I will make no decision for a few more days (я не буду принимать никаких решений еще несколько дней).


receive [rI`sJv] exact [Ig`zxkt] decision [dI`sIZ (q) n]


`But why go from here now? Sooner or later we will receive news concerning this Glandyth. When that moment arrives, then you can set forth to exact your vengeance.

He pursed his lips.

`Perhaps you are right.

`And you must learn to do without your hand and your eye, she said. `That will take much practice, Corum.

`True.

`So stay here, with me.

`I will agree to this much, Rhalina. I will make no decision for a few more days.


And Corum made no decision for a month (не принимал никаких решений месяц). After the horror of his encounters with the Mabden raiders (после ужаса столкновений с мабденскими налетчиками; encounter — случайная встреча; столкновение, стычка), his brain needed time to heal (его рассудок требовал времени, чтобы исцелиться = ему требовалось время, чтобы оправиться) and this was difficult with the constant reminder of his injuries (а это было трудно из-за постоянного напоминания о его увечьях) every time he automatically tried to use his left hand or glimpsed his reflection (каждый раз, /когда/ он непроизвольно пытался использовать левую руку или мельком видел свое отражение).

When not with him, Rhalina spent much of her time in the castle's library (когда не с ним = оставляя Корума одного, Ралина проводила большую часть своего времени в библиотеке замка), but Corum had no taste for reading (но Корум не испытывал тяги к чтению; to have a taste for — иметь склонность, пристрастие к). He would walk about the battlements of the castle (он предпочитал расхаживать вдоль зубчатых стен замка; to walk about — расхаживать, прогуливаться) or take a horse and ride over the causeway at low tide (или брать лошадь и переправлялся по дамбе при отливе /на берег/) (though Rhalina was perturbed by this (хотя Ралина беспокоилась из-за этого; to perturb — возмущать, приводить в смятение; тревожить) for fear that he would fall prey to one of the Pony Tribes which occasionally ranged the area (из страха = опасаясь, что он может пасть жертвой одного из племен на пони, которые временами рыскали в этих местах; occasionally — изредка, время от времени; to range — бродить, скитаться; рыскать; area — площадь, участок, район)) and ride for a while among the trees (и скакать некоторое время среди деревьев).


encounter [In`kauntq] library [`laIbrqrI] causeway [`kLzweI] perturbed [pq`tq: bd]


And Corum made no decision for a month. After the horror of his encounters with the Mabden raiders, his brain needed time to heal and this was difficult with the constant reminder of his injuries every time he automatically tried to use his left hand or glimpsed his reflection.

When not with him, Rhalina spent much of her time in the castle's library, but Corum had no taste for reading. He would walk about the battlements of the castle or take a horse and ride over the causeway at low tide (though Rhalina was perturbed by this for fear that he would fall prey to one of the Pony Tribes which occasionally ranged the area) and ride for a while among the trees.


And though the darkness in his mind became less noticeable as the pleasant days passed, it still remained (и хотя тьма в его душе стала менее заметной, когда отрадные дни проходили, она по-прежнему оставалась). And Corum would sometimes pause in the middle of some action (и Корум иногда замирал в середине = во время какого-нибудь действия) or stop when he witnessed some scene that reminded him of his home, the Castle Erorn (или останавливался, когда видел какую-нибудь картину /на гобелене/, которая напоминала ему о его доме, замке Эрорн).

The Margravine's castle was called simply Moidel's Castle (замок маркграфини назывался просто замок Мойдела) and was raised on an island called Moidel's Mount (и был возведен на острове под названием Гора Мойдел), after the name of the family that had occupied it for centuries (по имени семейства, которое жило на нем веками). It was full of interesting things (замок был полон интересных вещей). There were cabinets of porcelain and ivory figurines (там были залы фарфоровых изделий и статуэток из слоновой кости; cabinet — кабинет; шкаф с выдвижными ящиками; выставочное помещение), rooms filled with curiosities taken at different times from the sea (помещения, заполненные диковинками, собранными в разные времена в море; curiosity — любознательность, любопытство; диковина, редкость), chambers in which arms and armour were displayed (комнаты, в которых оружие и доспехи были выставлены), paintings (crude by Corum's standards) (картины, грубые по меркам Корума) depicting scenes from the history of Lywm-an-Esh (изображавшие сцены из истории Лиум-ан-Эш), as well as scenes taken from the legends and folktales of that land, which was rich in them (а также сцены, взятые из легенд и народных сказок этой страны, которая была богата ими; to be rich — изобиловать, кишеть). Such strange imaginings were rare among the Vadhagh (столь незнакомые грезы = причудливые фантазии были редки среди вадагов), who had been a rational people, and they fascinated Corum (которые были рациональными людьми, и они /фантазии/ заворожили Корума).


noticeable [`nqutIsqbl] porcelain [`pLs (q) lIn] ivory [`aIv (q) rI] figurine [, fIgju`rJn] curiosity [, kju (q) rI`OsItI] rational [`rxS (q) nql] fascinated [`fxsIneItId]


And though the darkness in his mind became less noticeable as the pleasant days passed, it still remained. And Corum would sometimes pause in the middle of some action or stop when he witnessed some scene that reminded him of his home, the Castle Erorn.

The Margravine's castle was called simply Moidel's Castle and was raised on an island called Moidel's Mount, after the name of the family that had occupied it for centuries. It was full of interesting things. There were cabinets of porcelain and ivory figurines, rooms filled with curiosities taken at different times from the sea, chambers in which arms and armour were displayed, paintings (crude by Corum's standards) depicting scenes from the history of Lywm-an-Esh, as well as scenes taken from the legends and folktales of that land, which was rich in them. Such strange imaginings were rare among the Vadhagh, who had been a rational people, and they fascinated Corum.


He came to realise that many of the stories concerning magical lands and weird beasts (он осознал, что многие из преданий, касавшихся волшебных земель и фантастических животных; weird — сверхъестественный, причудливый) were derived from some knowledge of the other planes (основывались на знаниях, /полученных/ из иных плоскостей; to be derived from — извлекаться, происходить из; создаваться на основе /чего-либо/). Obviously the other planes had been glimpsed (очевидно, другие плоскости были увидены кем-то мельком) and the legend-makers had speculated freely from the fragments of knowledge thus gained (а создатели легенд вольно передали фрагменты знаний, таким образом полученных; to speculate — обдумывать, размышлять; to gain — добывать, получать, приобретать). It amused Corum to trace a wild folktale back to its rather more mundane source (Коруму было интересно прослеживать необычные народные сказки обратно к их немного более земному источнику = находить их источник в реальной, земной жизни; to amuse — занимать, забавлять; wild — дикий, буйный; своенравный), particularly where these folktales concerned the Old Races (особенно /в тех местах/, где эти народные сказки касались древних рас) — the Vadhagh and the Nhadragh (вадагов и надрагов) — who were attributed with the most alarming range of supernatural powers (которые наделялись /там/ тревожным рядом = многими пугающими сверхъестественными способностями; to attribute — приписывать /свойство и т. д. /, относить к; range — ряд, группа; область, сфера). He was also, by this study, offered some insight (к нему также, благодаря этому изучению, пришло понимание; to offer — предлагать, преподносить; insight — проницательность, понимание; внезапное озарение) concerning the attitudes of the Mabden of the East (позиции мабденов востока), who seemed to have lived in awe of the Old Races (которые, казалось, жили в священном трепете перед древними расами; awe — благоговейный страх, трепет) before they had discovered that they were mortal and could be slain easily (до тех пор, пока они не обнаружили, что те — смертны и могут быть легко убиты). It seemed to Corum that the vicious genocide engaged upon by these Mabden (Коруму показалось, что жестокий геноцид, учиненный этими мабденами; vicious — порочный, дурной; ужасный; to engage — подвергать/ся/, затрагивать/ся/) was partly caused by their hatred of the Vadhagh for not being the great seers and sorcerers (был частично вызван их ненавистью к тому /факту/, что вадаги — не великие ясновидцы и колдуны) the Mabden had originally thought them to be (/как/ мабдены первоначально считали /их/).


weird [wIqd] mundane [`mAndeIn] awe [L] vicious [`vISqs] genocide [`GenqusaId]


He came to realise that many of the stories concerning magical lands and weird beasts were derived from some knowledge of the other planes. Obviously the other planes had been glimpsed and the legend-makers had speculated freely from the fragments of knowledge thus gained. It amused Corum to trace a wild folktale back to its rather more mundane source, particularly where these folktales concerned the Old Races — the Vadhagh and the Nhadragh — who were attributed with the most alarming range of supernatural powers. He was also, by this study, offered some insight concerning the attitudes of the Mabden of the East, who seemed to have lived in awe of the Old Races before they had discovered that they were mortal and could be slain easily. It seemed to Corum that the vicious genocide engaged upon by these Mabden was partly caused by their hatred of the Vadhagh for not being the great seers and sorcerers the Mabden had originally thought them to be.


But this line of thought brought back the memories and the sorrow and the hatred (но это направление мысли = подобные размышления вновь пробуждали воспоминания, печаль и ненависть; line — линия, черта; направление, образ действия; to bring back — возвращать; воскрешать в памяти) and Corum would become depressed, sometimes for days (и Корум становился подавленным, иногда на несколько дней), and even Rhalina's love could not console him then (и даже любовь Ралины не могла утешить его тогда).

But then one day he inspected a tapestry in a room he had not previously visited (но потом однажды он рассматривал гобелен в комнате, /которую/ прежде /никогда/ не посещал) and it absorbed his attention as he looked at the pictures and studied the embroidered text (и тот поглотил его внимание, когда Корум посмотрел на /изображенные/ картины и изучил вышитый текст).

This was a complete legend telling of the adventures of Mag-an-Mag, a popular folk hero (это был полный /текст/ легенды, рассказывавшей о приключениях Маг-ан-Мага, популярного народного героя). Mag-an-Mag had been returning from a magical land when his boat had been set upon by pirates (Маг-ан-Маг возвращался из какой-то волшебной страны, когда на его судно напали пираты; boat — лодка, шлюпка; корабль, судно). These pirates had cut off Mag-an-Mag's arms and legs and thrown him overboard (эти пираты отрубили Маг-ан-Магу руки и ноги и выбросили его за борт; to throw), then they had cut off the head of his companion, Jhakor-Neelus (потом они отрубили голову его спутнику, Джакор-Нилусу), and tossed his body after that of his master, but kept the head, apparently to eat (и швырнули его тело вслед за телом его господина, но сохранили голову, видимо, чтобы съесть; to toss — бросать, кидать; швырять). Eventually Mag-an-Mag's limbless body had been washed up on the shore of a mysterious island (в конце концов лишенное конечностей тело Маг-ан-Мага было выброшено на берег какого-то таинственного острова; to wash up — прибивать к берегу, выбрасывать на берег) and Jhakor-Neelus's headless body had arrived at a spot a little further up the beach (а безголовое тело Джакор-Нилуса прибыло на место чуть выше по берегу; beach — /морской/ берег; пляж).


previously [`prJvIqslI] hero [`hI (q) rqu] limbless [`lImlIs]


But this line of thought brought back the memories and the sorrow and the hatred and Corum would become depressed, sometimes for days, and even Rhalina's love could not console him then.

But then one day he inspected a tapestry in a room he had not previously visited and it absorbed his attention as he looked at the pictures and studied the embroidered text.

This was a complete legend telling of the adventures of Mag-an-Mag, a popular folk hero. Mag-an-Mag had been returning from a magical land when his boat had been set upon by pirates. These pirates had cut off Mag-an-Mag's arms and legs and thrown him overboard, then they had cut off the head of his companion, Jhakor-Neelus, and tossed his body after that of his master, but kept the head, apparently to eat. Eventually Mag-an-Mag's limbless body had been washed up on the shore of a mysterious island and Jhakor-Neelus's headless body had arrived at a spot a little further up the beach.


These bodies were found by the servants of a magician (эти тела были найдены слугами волшебника) who, in return for Mag-an-Mag's services against his enemies (который, в обмен на помощь Маг-ан-Мага /в борьбе/ против своих врагов; service — служба, занятие; помощь, одолжение), offered to put back his limbs and make him as good as new (предложил вернуть его конечности и сделать его таким, как прежде; to make as good as new — обновлять; чинить). Mag-an-Mag had accepted on condition that the sorcerer find Jhakor-Neelus a new head (Маг-ан-Маг согласился при условии, что колдун найдет Джакор-Нилусу новую голову). The sorcerer had agreed and furnished Jhakor-Neelus with the head of a crane, which seemed to please everyone (чародей согласился и снабдил Джакор-Нилуса головой журавля, что, по-видимому, удовлетворило всех). The pair then went on to fight the sorcerer's enemies (пара /героев/ затем отправилась сражаться с врагами колдуна; to go on to — переходить к чему-то) and leave the island loaded down with his gifts (и покинула остров, сгибаясь под тяжестью его даров; to load down — пригибать, давить /грузом/; угнетать).

Corum could find no origin for this legend in the knowledge of his own folk (Корум не смог найти источник этой легенды в знаниях = истории своего народа). It did not seem to fit with the others (она, казалось, не соответствовала остальным /легендам/).


magician [mq`GIS (q) n] accepted [qk`septId] origin [`OrIGIn]


These bodies were found by the servants of a magician who, in return for Mag-an-Mag's services against his enemies, offered to put back his limbs and make him as good as new. Mag-an-Mag had accepted on condition that the sorcerer find Jhakor-Neelus a new head. The sorcerer had agreed and furnished Jhakor-Neelus with the head of a crane, which seemed to please everyone. The pair then went on to fight the sorcerer's enemies and leave the island loaded down with his gifts.

Corum could find no origin for this legend in the knowledge of his own folk. It did not seem to fit with the others.


At first he dismissed his obsession with the legend (сначала он гнал от себя навязчивую мысль о легенде; to dismiss — освобождать, распускать; выбрасывать из головы; obsession — одержимость /желанием и т. д. /, навязчивая идея) as being fired by his own wish to get back the hand and the eye he had lost, but he remained obsessed (как вызванную собственным желанием вернуть руку и глаз, /которые/ он потерял, но он оставался одержимым /этой мыслью/; to fire — поджигать; воодушевлять, воспламенять). Feeling embarrassed by his own interest (чувствуя неловкость от своего увлечения; to feel embarrassed — чувствовать неловкость, стесняться), he said nothing of the legend to Rhalina for several weeks (он ничего не говорил Ралине о легенде в течение нескольких недель).

Autumn came to Moidel's Castle and with it a warm wind (осень пришла в замок Мойдел, а вместе с ней — теплый ветер) that stripped the trees bare and lashed the sea against the rocks (который раздевал деревья догола = срывал всю листву, разбивал море о скалы; to strip — раздевать, обнажать; сдирать; to lash — хлестать, сильно ударять) and drove many of the birds away to seek a more restful clime (и заставлял большую часть птиц искать более спокойный край; to drive away — прогонять, рассеивать; clime — край, сторона; климат).

And Corum began to spend more and more time in the room (Корум начал проводить все больше и больше времени в зале) where hung the tapestry concerning Mag-an-Mag and the wonderful sorcerer (где висел гобелен о Маг-ан-Маге и удивительном чародее). Corum began to realise that it was the text that chiefly interested him (Корум начал осознавать, что именно текст особенно заинтересовал его; chiefly — главным образом, особенно). It seemed to speak with an authority that was elsewhere lacking in the others he had seen (казалось, он гласил с авторитетом = в нем была достоверность, которой не хватало остальным /преданиям/, что он видел; authority — авторитет, вес, влияние; to be lacking — отсутствовать, недоставать; elsewhere — где-то в другом месте; где-нибудь еще).


autumn [`Ltqm] chiefly [`CJflI] authority [L`TOrItI] elsewhere [`els`weq]


At first he dismissed his obsession with the legend as being fired by his own wish to get back the hand and the eye he had lost, but he remained obsessed. Feeling embarrassed by his own interest, he said nothing of the legend to Rhalina for several weeks.

Autumn came to Moidel's Castle and with it a warm wind that stripped the trees bare and lashed the sea against the rocks and drove many of the birds away to seek a more restful clime.

And Corum began to spend more and more time in the room where hung the tapestry concerning Mag-an-Mag and the wonderful sorcerer. Corum began to realise that it was the text that chiefly interested him. It seemed to speak with an authority that was elsewhere lacking in the others he had seen.


But he still could not bring himself to tax Rhalina with questions concerning it (но он по-прежнему не мог заставить себя обременить Ралину вопросами, связанными с этим /текстом/; to bring — приносить, доставлять; заставлять, убеждать /сделать что-либо/; to tax — облагать налогом; чрезмерно напрягать, утомлять).

Then, on one of the first days of winter (затем, в один из первых дней зимы), she sought for him and found him in the room and she did not seem surprised (она искала Корума и обнаружила его в том зале, и, казалось, не удивилась; to seek). However, she did show a certain concern (тем не менее, она выказала некоторое беспокойство), as if she had feared that he would find the tapestry sooner or later (словно опасалась, что он найдет этот гобелен раньше или позже).

`You seem absorbed by the amusing adventures of Mag-an-Mag (кажется, тебя поглотили занимательные приключения Маг-ан-Мага), she said. `They are only tales (они — всего лишь сказки). Something to entertain us (нечто = истории, чтобы развлекать нас).

`But this one seems different (но эта кажется другой), Corum said.

He turned to look at her (он повернулся, чтобы посмотреть на нее). She was biting her lip (она кусала губы).


amusing [q`mjHzIN] adventures [qd`venCqz] entertain [, entq`teIn]


But he still could not bring himself to tax Rhalina with questions concerning it.

Then, on one of the first days of winter, she sought for him and found him in the room and she did not seem surprised. However, she did show a certain concern, as if she had feared that he would find the tapestry sooner or later.

`You seem absorbed by the amusing adventures of Mag-an-Mag, she said. `They are only tales. Something to entertain us.

`But this one seems different, Corum said.

He turned to look at her. She was biting her lip.


`So it is different, Rhalina (значит, она не такая /как все/, Ралина), Corum murmured (прошептал Корум). `You do know something about it (ты действительно знаешь что-то о ней)!

She began to shake her head, then changed her mind (она начала /отрицательно/ качать головой, потом передумала; to change mind — передумать, изменить решение). `I know only what the old tales say (я знаю лишь /то/, что говорят старые сказки). And the old tales are lies, are they not (а старые сказки — ложь, не так ли)? Pleasing lies (приятная ложь).

`Truth is somewhere in this tale, I feel (правда /таится/ где-то в этой сказке, я чувствую). You must tell me what you know, Rhalina (ты должна рассказать мне, что ты знаешь, Ралина).

`I know more than is on this tapestry (я знаю больше, чем /написано/ на этом гобелене), she said quietly (сказала она тихо). `I have been lately reading a book that relates to it (я недавно читала книгу, которая имеет отношение к этому). I knew I had seen the book some years ago and I sought it out (я знала = вспомнила, /что/ видела эту книгу несколько лет назад, и я отыскала ее). I find quite recent reports concerning an island of the kind described (я нашла довольно свежие сведения, касающиеся острова, вроде описанного /в сказке/; recent — недавний, последний; новый; report — отчет, доклад, сообщение). And there is, according to this book, an old castle there (и там, согласно этой книге, находится старый замок). The last person to see that island was an emissary of the Duchy (последним, кто видел тот остров, был эмиссар герцогства /Лиум-ан-Эс/), sailing here with supplies and greetings (приплывавший сюда с запасами /продовольствия/ и приветствиями; supply — снабжение, поставка; припасы, продовольствие). And that was the last emissary to visit us (и это был последний эмиссар, который посетил нас) …


report [rI`pLt] recent [`rJs (q) nt] emissary [`emIs (q) rI]


`So it is different, Rhalina, Corum murmured. `You do know something about it!

She began to shake her head, then changed her mind. `I know only what the old tales say. And the old tales are lies, are they not? Pleasing lies.

`Truth is somewhere in this tale, I feel. You must tell me what you know, Rhalina.

`I know more than is on this tapestry, she said quietly. `I have been lately reading a book that relates to it. I knew I had seen the book some years ago and I sought it out. I find quite recent reports concerning an island of the kind described. And there is, according to this book, an old castle there. The last person to see that island was an emissary of the Duchy, sailing here with supplies and greetings. And that was the last emissary to visit us…


`How long ago (как давно /это случилось/)? How long ago?

`Thirty years (тридцать лет /назад/).

And then Rhalina began to weep and shake her head (потом Ралина начала плакать, качать головой) and cough and try to control her tears (кашлять и попыталась унять слезы; to control — управлять; сдерживать).

He embraced her (он обнял ее).

`Why do you weep, Rhalina (почему ты плачешь, Ралина)?

`I weep, Corum, because this means you will leave me (я плачу, Корум, потому что это значит, /что/ ты покинешь меня). You will go away from Moidel's Castle in the wintertime (ты уйдешь из замка Мойдел зимой: «в зимнее время») and you will seek that island and perhaps you, too, will be wrecked (и будешь искать тот остров и, возможно, ты тоже потерпишь кораблекрушение). I weep because nothing I love stays with me (я плачу, потому что ничего, /что/ я люблю, не остается со мной = любимые люди всегда уходят).

Corum took a step back (Корум сделал шаг назад).


cough [kOf] island [`aIlqnd] wrecked [rekt]


`How long ago? How long ago?

`Thirty years.

And then Rhalina began to weep and shake her head and cough and try to control her tears.

He embraced her.

`Why do you weep, Rhalina?

`I weep, Corum, because this means you will leave me. You will go away from Moidel's Castle in the wintertime and you will seek that island and perhaps you, too, will be wrecked. I weep because nothing I love stays with me.

Corum took a step back.


`Has this thought been long in your mind (долга ли эта мысль находится в твоем уме = не дает тебе покоя)?

`It has been long in my mind.

`And you have not spoken it (и ты не высказала ее; to speak).

`Because I love you so much, Corum (потому что я так сильно люблю тебя, Корум).

`You should not love me, Rhalina (тебе не следует любить меня, Ралина). And I should not have allowed myself to love you (а мне не следовало позволять себе любить = влюбиться в тебя). Though this island offers me the faintest of hopes, I must seek it out (хотя этот остров дает мне самую слабую из надежд, я должен отыскать его; to offer — предлагать, преподносить; faint — слабый, недостаточный, незначительный).

`I know (я знаю).

`And if I find the sorcerer and he gives me back my hand and eye (а если я найду колдуна и он вернет мне мои руку и глаз) …

`Madness, Corum (безумие, Корум)! He cannot exist (он не может существовать)!


allowed [q`laud] though [Dqu] exist [Ig`zIst]


`Has this thought been long in your mind?

`It has been long in my mind.

`And you have not spoken it.

`Because I love you so much, Corum.

`You should not love me, Rhalina. And I should not have allowed myself to love you. Though this island offers me the faintest of hopes, I must seek it out.

`I know.

`And if I find the sorcerer and he gives me back my hand and eye…

`Madness, Corum! He cannot exist!


`But if he does and if he can do what I ask (но если он существует и если он может сделать /то/, что я попрошу), then I will go to find Glandyth-a-Krae and I will kill him (тогда я отправлюсь, чтобы найти = на поиски Гландита-а-Краэ и убью его). Then, if I live, I will return (затем, если /останусь/ жив, я вернусь). But Glandyth must die before I can know complete peace of mind, Rhalina (но Гландит должен умереть, прежде чем я смогу познать = обрести абсолютное спокойствие духа).

She said softly (она сказала тихо; softly — мягко, нежно; тихо, спокойно): `There is no boat that is seaworthy (/у нас/ нет никакого судна, годного для плавания).

`But there are boats in the harbour caves that can be made seaworthy (но в пещерах гавани находятся суда, которые можно сделать пригодными для мореплавания).

`It will take several months to make one so (это займет несколько месяцев, /чтобы сделать судно таким/).

`Will you lend me your servants to work on the boat (ты дашь мне своих слуг для работы над кораблем = мне в помощь; to lend — одалживать; давать на время)?

`Yes.

`Then I will speak to them at once (тогда я поговорю с ними прямо сейчас; at once — сразу, немедленно).


complete [kqm`plJt] seaworthy [`sJ, wq: DI] harbour [`hRbq] several [`sev (q) rql]


`But if he does and if he can do what I ask, then I will go to find Glandyth-a-Krae and I will kill him. Then, if I live, I will return. But Glandyth must die before I can know complete peace of mind, Rhalina.

She said softly: `There is no boat that is seaworthy.

`But there are boats in the harbour caves that can be made seaworthy.

`It will take several months to make one so.

`Will you lend me your servants to work on the boat?

`Yes.

`Then I will speak to them at once.


And Corum left her, hardening his heart to the sight of her grief (и Корум покинул ее, ожесточая свое сердце к виду ее горя = стараясь превозмочь сердцем вид ее горя; to harden — делать/ся/ твердым, закаляться; to harden one`s heart — ожесточать/ся/, стать бессердечным), blaming himself for letting himself fall in love with the woman (виня себя в /том/, что позволил себе влюбиться в эту женщину).

With all the men he could muster who had some knowledge of ship craft (со всеми людьми, которых он мог собрать, имевших какое-либо представление о судах; ship — корабль; craft — морское, речное судно), Corum descended the steps that led from below the castle floor (Корум спустился по лестнице, что вела с нижнего этажа замка; from below — снизу, из-под; to lead down — вести, спускаться; floor — пол, настил; этаж) down through the rock to the sea caves where the ships lay (через скалу к морским пещерам, где суда стояли). He found one skiff that was in better repair than the others (он нашел один ялик, который был в лучшем состоянии, чем остальные; skiff — ялик /небольшая плоскодонная гребная лодка/; in good repair — в исправном состоянии) and he had it hauled upright and inspected (и велел поставить его стоймя и внимательно осмотреть; to haul — тащить, тянуть; upright — вертикально, прямо).

Rhalina had been right (Ралина была права). There was a great deal of work to be done (много работы требовалось проделать; a great deal — много, значительное количество) before the skiff would safely ride the waters (прежде чем ялик сможет безопасно выйти в море; to ride — ехать; плавно перемещаться; плыть, скользить; waters — воды, море; to ride the waves — скользить по волнам).


descended [dI`sendId] craft [krRft] hauled [hLld]


And Corum left her, hardening his heart to the sight of her grief, blaming himself for letting himself fall in love with the woman.

With all the men he could muster who had some knowledge of ship craft, Corum descended the steps that led from below the castle floor down through the rock to the sea caves where the ships lay. He found one skiff that was in better repair than the others and he had it hauled upright and inspected.

Rhalina had been right. There was a great deal of work to be done before the skiff would safely ride the waters.


He would wait impatiently, though now that he had a goal — no matter how wild (он будет ждать с нетерпением, хотя теперь, когда у него есть цель — неважно, насколько необдуманная/рискованная) — he began to feel a lessening of the weight that had been upon him (он начал чувствовать уменьшение бремени, что было на нем = навалилось на него; lessening — уменьшение, спад; облегчение; weight — вес; масса; бремя, тяжесть).

He knew that he would never tire of loving Rhalina (он знал, что никогда не перестанет любить Ралину; to tire of — уставать от, терять интерес к), but that he could never love her completely until his self-appointed task had been accomplished (но /он знал также/, что никогда не сможет полюбить ее совершенно = по-настоящему, пока не выполнит поставленную перед собой задачу; self-appointed — назначивший сам себя; task — задача, задание, дело; to accomplish — выполнять; доводить до конца).

He rushed back to the library to consult the book she had mentioned (он бросился назад в библиотеку, чтобы свериться с книгой, /которую/ она упоминала; to consult — советоваться, справляться /где-либо о чем-либо/). He found it and discovered that the name of the island was Svi-an-Fanla-Brool (он нашел ее и узнал, что название того острова — Сви-ан-Фанла-Брул).

Svi-an-Fanla-Brool. Not a pleasant name (не особенно приятное название). As far as Corum could make out it meant Home of the Gorged God (насколько Корум смог понять, оно означало «Жилище прожорливого бога»; to make out — разобрать; различить, понять; to gorge — жрать, есть с жадностью). What could that mean (что бы это могло значить)? He inspected the text for an answer, but found none (он внимательно изучил текст, чтобы найти ответ, но не нашел /никакого/; to find).


impatiently [Im`peIS (q) ntlI] task [tRsk] discovered [dIs`kAvqd] answer [`Rnsq]


He would wait impatiently, though now that he had a goal — no matter how wild — he began to feel a lessening of the weight that had been upon him.

He knew that he would never tire of loving Rhalina, but that he could never love her completely until his self-appointed task had been accomplished.

He rushed back to the library to consult the book she had mentioned. He found it and discovered that the name of the island was Svi-an-Fanla-Brool.

Svi-an-Fanla-Brool. Not a pleasant name. As far as Corum could make out it meant Home of the Gorged God. What could that mean? He inspected the text for an answer, but found none.


The hours passed as he copied out the charts and reference points (часы прошли, пока он копировал карты и ориентиры; reference point — ориентир, точка отсчета, опорная точка) given by the captain of the ship that had visited Moidel's Mount thirty years before (оставленные капитаном корабля, который посетил Гору Мойдел тридцать лет назад). And it was very late when he sought his bed and found Rhalina there (было очень поздно, когда он отыскал /в темноте/ свою постель и обнаружил там Ралину).

He looked down at her face (он наклонился и посмотрел в ее лицо). She had plainly wept herself to sleep (она, /совершенно/ очевидно, плакала до тех пор, пока не уснула).

He knew that it was his turn to offer her comfort (он знал, что была его очередь предложить ей утешение = утешить ее).

But he had no time (но у него не было времени) …

He undressed (он разделся). He placed himself into the bed (он поместил себя в постель = тихо лег в постель), between the silks and the furs (между шелками и мехами), trying not to disturb her (стараясь не тревожить ее). But she awoke (но она проснулась; to awake).


hour [`auq] reference [`ref (q) rqns] captain [`kxptIn]


The hours passed as he copied out the charts and reference points given by the captain of the ship that had visited Moidel's Mount thirty years before. And it was very late when he sought his bed and found Rhalina there.

He looked down at her face. She had plainly wept herself to sleep.

He knew that it was his turn to offer her comfort.

But he had no time…

He undressed. He placed himself into the bed, between the silks and the furs, trying not to disturb her. But she awoke.


`Corum?

He did not reply (он не ответил).

He felt her body tremble for a moment, but she did not speak again (он чувствовал, как ее тело задрожало на миг, но она не заговорила снова).

He sat up in bed, his mind full of conflict (он сел в постели, его душа была полна противоречий = в смятении; conflict — конфликт, противоречие). He loved her. But he should not love her (но он не должен был любить ее). He tried to settle back, to go to sleep, but he could not (он попытался улечься снова, заснуть, но не смог; to settle — усаживать/ся/, укладывать/ся/, устраивать/ся/).

He reached out and stroked her shoulder (он протянул /руку/ и погладил ее по плечу).

`Rhalina?

`Yes, Corum?


reply [rI`plaI] conflict [`kOnflIkt] shoulder [`Squldq]


`Corum?

He did not reply.

He felt her body tremble for a moment, but she did not speak again.

He sat up in bed, his mind full of conflict. He loved her. But he should not love her. He tried to settle back, to go to sleep, but he could not.

He reached out and stroked her shoulder.

`Rhalina?

`Yes, Corum?


He took a deep breath, meaning to explain to her (он глубоко вздохнул, собираясь объяснить ей) how strongly he needed to see Glandyth dead (как сильно ему необходимо увидеть Гландита мертвым), to repeat that he should return when his vengeance was taken (повторить, что он вернется, когда отомстит: «его месть исполнится»). Instead he said (вместо /этого/ он сказал):

`Storms blow strongly now around Moidel's Castle (штормы дуют сильно = бушуют сейчас вокруг замка Мойдела). I will set aside my plans until the spring (я отложу мои планы до весны). I will stay until the spring (я останусь до весны).

She turned in the bed and peered through the darkness at his face (она повернулась в постели и посмотрела сквозь тьму ему в лицо; to peer at — вглядываться, всматриваться).

`You must do as you desire (ты должен поступать, как ты желаешь). Pity destroys true love, Corum (жалость разрушает истинную любовь, Корум).

`It is not pity that moves me (не жалость движет мной).

`Is it your sense of justice (твое чувство справедливости)? That, too, is (это тоже) …


breath [breT] vengeance [`venG (q) ns] pity [`pItI] desire [dI`zaIq] justice [`GAstIs]


He took a deep breath, meaning to explain to her how strongly he needed to see Glandyth dead, to repeat that he should return when his vengeance was taken. Instead he said:

`Storms blow strongly now around Moidel's Castle. I will set aside my plans until the spring. I will stay until the spring.

She turned in the bed and peered through the darkness at his face.

`You must do as you desire. Pity destroys true love, Corum.

`It is not pity that moves me.

`Is it your sense of justice? That, too, is…


`I tell myself that it is my sense of justice that makes me stay, but I know otherwise (я говорю себе, что это чувство справедливости заставляет меня остаться, но я знаю, что это не так; otherwise — иначе, по-другому; что-либо другое, противоположное).

`Then why would you stay (тогда почему ты остаешься)?

`My resolve to go has weakened (моя решимость уйти ослабла; resolve — решимость; намерение).

`What has weakened it, Corum (что ослабило ее, Корум)?

`Something quieter in me, yet something, perhaps, that is stronger (что-то тихое во мне, однако /это/ что-то, возможно, сильнее /моей решимости/). It is my love for you, Rhalina (любовь к тебе, Ралина), that has conquered my desire to have immediate revenge on Glandyth (победила мое желание немедленно отомстить Гландиту; to conquer — завоевать, подчинить; побороть; to have revenge on). It is love. That is all I can tell you (это все, /что/ я могу сказать тебе).

And she began to weep again, but it was not from sorrow (и она заплакала снова, но не от горя).


otherwise [`ADqwaIz] resolve [rI`zOlv] conquered [`kONkqd] immediate [I`mJdIqt]


`I tell myself that it is my sense of justice that makes me stay, but I know otherwise.

`Then why would you stay?

`My resolve to go has weakened.

`What has weakened it, Corum?

`Something quieter in me, yet something, perhaps, that is stronger. It is my love for you, Rhalina, that has conquered my desire to have immediate revenge on Glandyth. It is love. That is all I can tell you.

And she began to weep again, but it was not from sorrow.