"Английский язык с М. Муркоком" - читать интересную книгу автора (Муркок Майкл, Еремин Андрей, Франк Илья)

CHAPTER SIX (глава шестая) The God Feasters (пир бога)

feaster — организатор или участник пира; feast — пир; торжество

Corum was dwarfed by the hugeness of the hall (Корум казался маленьким из-за громадности зала; to dwarf — останавливать рост; подчеркивать малые размеры или незначительность по контрасту). Suddenly he saw his past adventures, his emotions, his desires, his guilts as utterly inconsequential and feeble (внезапно он увидел = ему показались его былые приключения, его чувства, желания, чувство вины чрезвычайно незначительными и ничтожными). This mood was increased by the fact that he had expected to confront Arioch the moment he reached his court (это настроение = такие мысли усилились из-за того, что он ожидал встречи с Ариохом в тот момент, когда достиг его двора).

But Corum had entered the palace completely unnoticed (но Корум проник во дворец совершенно незамеченным). The laughter came from a gallery high above where two scaled demons with long horns and longer tails were fighting (смех исходил из галереи высоко наверху, где дрались два покрытых чешуей демона с длинными рогами и еще более длинными хвостами). As they fought, they laughed, though both seemed plainly near death (когда они дрались = во время драки они смеялись, хотя оба, казалось, вот-вот умрут; to be near death — быть при смерти). It was on this fight that Arioch's attention seemed fixed (видимо, их драка поглотила внимание Ариоха: «это именно на их драке было сосредоточено внимание Ариоха»).

dwarfed [dwLft] inconsequential [In, kOnsI`kwenS (q) l]

Corum was dwarfed by the hugeness of the hall. Suddenly he saw his past adventures, his emotions, his desires, his guilts as utterly inconsequential and feeble. This mood was increased by the fact that he had expected to confront Arioch the moment he reached his court.

But Corum had entered the palace completely unnoticed. The laughter came from a gallery high above where two scaled demons with long horns and longer tails were fighting. As they fought, they laughed, though both seemed plainly near death. It was on this fight that Arioch's attention seemed fixed.

The Knight of the Swords — the Duke of Chaos — lay in a heap of filth and quaffed some ill-smelling stuff from a dirty goblet (лежал на куче отбросов и пил большими глотками какую-то отвратительно пахнувшую жидкость из грязного кубка; filth — отбросы, грязь; to quaff — пить большими глотками, осушать залпом; goblet — бокал; кубок). He was enormously fat and the flesh trembled on him as he laughed (он был чрезвычайно толст, и его плоть тряслась: «и плоть на нем тряслась», когда он смеялся). He was completely naked and formed in all details like a Mabden (он был совершенно наг, и во всех деталях был сложен = выглядел в точности, как мабден). There seemed to be scabs and sores on his body, particularly near his pelvis (парша и язвы виднелись на его теле, особенно возле пупка; sore — болячка, рана, язва; pelvis — таз). His face was flushed and it was ugly and his teeth, when he opened his mouth, seemed decayed (его лицо было покрасневшим, уродливым, а его зубы, когда он открывал рот, были гнилыми; to flush — хлынуть; приливать к какой-либо части тела /особенно о крови к лицу/; decayed — испорченный, гнилой, разрушенный).

Corum would not have known he was the God at all if it had not been for his size (Корум не понял бы, что это вообще бог, если бы не его величина), for Arioch was as large as a castle and his sword, the symbol of his power (потому что Ариох был большим, словно замок, а его меч, символ власти/могущества), would have stood as high as the tallest tower of Castle Erorn, if it had been placed upright (стоял бы так высоко, как = был бы таким же высоким, как самая высокая башня замка Эрорн, если бы его поставили вертикально).

naked [`neIkId] particularly [pq`tIkjulqlI] symbol [`sImb (q) l]

The Knight of the Swords — the Duke of Chaos — lay in a heap of filth and quaffed some ill-smelling stuff from a dirty goblet. He was enormously fat and the flesh trembled on him as he laughed. He was completely naked and formed in all details like a Mabden. There seemed to be scabs and sores on his body, particularly near his pelvis. His face was flushed and it was ugly and his teeth, when he opened his mouth, seemed decayed.

Corum would not have known he was the God at all if it had not been for his size, for Arioch was as large as a castle and his sword, the symbol of his power, would have stood as high as the tallest tower of Castle Erorn, if it had been placed upright.

The sides of the hall were tiered (по сторонам зала располагались ярусы; tiered — расположенный ярусами; tier — ряд; ярус). Uncountable tiers stretched high towards the distant dome of the ceiling which, itself, was wreathed in greasy smoke (бесчисленные ряды поднимались вверх к далекому своду потолка, который был черным от дыма; tier — ряд; ярус; to wreathe — обвивать, покрывать; клубиться /о дыме/; greasy — сальный, жирный; грязный). These tiers were occupied, mainly with Mabden of all ages (эти ряды были заняты в основном мабденами всех возрастов). Corum saw that most were naked (Корум увидел, что большинство были обнаженными). In many of the tiers they were copulating, fighting, torturing each other (на многих рядах они совокуплялись, дрались, мучили друг друга; to torture — пытать; мучить, терзать). Elsewhere were other beings — mainly scaly Shefanhow somewhat smaller than the two who were fighting together (кое-где были другие существа — в основном покрытые чешуей шефанхау = демоны, немного поменьше, чем те двое, которые дрались друг с другом).

The sword was jet black and carved with many peculiar patterns (меч /Ариоха/ был черным как уголь, и украшен многочисленными причудливыми узорами; to carve — резать, вырезать /по дереву или кости/; высекать /из камня/). Mabden were at work on the sword (мабдены трудились над мечом; at work — в действии, за работой). They knelt on the blade and polished part of a design (они = одни стояли на коленях на клинке и полировали часть рисунка), or they climbed the hilt and washed it (другие вскарабкались на эфес и мыли его), or they sat astride the handgrip and mended the gold wire which bound it (или уселись верхом на рукоять и чинили золотую проволоку, которая оплетала ее; to mend — чинить, ремонтировать).

ceiling [`sJlIN] copulating [`kOpjuleItIN] design [dI`zaIn]

The sides of the hall were tiered. Uncountable tiers stretched high towards the distant dome of the ceiling which, itself, was wreathed in greasy smoke. These tiers were occupied, mainly with Mabden of all ages. Corum saw that most were naked. In many of the tiers they were copulating, fighting, torturing each other. Elsewhere were other beings — mainly scaly Shefanhow somewhat smaller than the two who were fighting together.

The sword was jet black and carved with many peculiar patterns. Mabden were at work on the sword. They knelt on the blade and polished part of a design, or they climbed the hilt and washed it, or they sat astride the handgrip and mended the gold wire which bound it.

And other beings were busy, too (другие существа тоже суетились; busy — деятельный, занятой; суетливым). Like lice, they scampered and crawled over the God's huge bulk (как вши, они носились и ползали по огромной туше бога), picking at his skin, feeding off his blood and his flesh (они впивались в его кожу, пили его кровь и жрали плоть; to pick — клевать; есть, отщипывать; to feed — кормить/ся/, питать/ся/). Of all these activities, Arioch seemed oblivious (на все эти действия Ариох, казалось, не обращал внимания; oblivious — забывчивый, непомнящий; не замечающий). His interest continued to be the fight to the death in the gallery above (его интересом продолжал оставаться бой на смерть на галерее вверху).

Was this, then, the all-powerful Arioch, living like a drunken farmer in a pigsty (значит, это и был всемогущий Ариох, который живет, как пьяный фермер в свинарнике)? Was this the malevolent creature which had destroyed whole nations (неужели это и есть злобное создание, которое уничтожило целые народы), which pursued a vendetta upon all the races to spring up on the Earth before his coming (которое осуществляло кровную месть = мстило всем расам, что возникли на Земле до его прихода)?

Arioch's laughter shook the floor (смех Ариоха сотряс пол). Some of the parasitic Mabden fell off his body (некоторые мабдены-паразиты отвалились от его тела; parasitic — паразитический; вредный). A few were unhurt, while others lay with their backs or their limbs broken, unable to move (/лишь/ немногие были невредимы, в то время как остальные лежали со сломанными спинами и конечностями, неспособные двигаться). Their comrades ignored their plight and patiently climbed again upon the God's body (их товарищи = соплеменники не обратили внимания на их беду и снова терпеливо взбирались на тело бога; plight — положение /обычно затруднительное, бедственное/), tearing tiny pieces from him with their teeth (отрывая зубами от него крохотные кусочки).

busy [`bIzI] oblivious [q`blIvIqs] pigsty [`pIgstaI] vendetta [ven`detq]

And other beings were busy, too. Like lice, they scampered and crawled over the God's huge bulk, picking at his skin, feeding off his blood and his flesh. Of all these activities, Arioch seemed oblivious. His interest continued to be the fight to the death in the gallery above.

Was this, then, the all-powerful Arioch, living like a drunken farmer in a pigsty? Was this the malevolent creature which had destroyed whole nations, which pursued a vendetta upon all the races to spring up on the Earth before his coming?

Arioch's laughter shook the floor. Some of the parasitic Mabden fell off his body. A few were unhurt, while others lay with their backs or their limbs broken, unable to move. Their comrades ignored their plight and patiently climbed again upon the God's body, tearing tiny pieces from him with their teeth.

Arioch's hair was long, lank and dry (волосы Ариоха были длинными, прилизанными и иссохшими; lank — гладкий, невьющийся; прилизанный /о волосах/). Here, too, Mabden searched for and fought over the bits of food that clung to the strands (здесь тоже мабдены искали и дрались за кусочки пищи, которые прилипли к прядям /волос/; to cling; strand — длинный локон, прядь волос). Elsewhere in the God's body hair Mabden crept in and out (кое-где в волосах на теле бога мабдены ползали туда и сюда; to creep — ползать, пресмыкаться), hunting for scraps and crumbs or tender portions of his flesh (разыскивая кусочки и крошки или нежные части его плоти; to hunt for — искать; добиваться).

The two demons fell back (два демона упали назад). One of them was dead, the other almost dead but still laughing weakly (один был мертв, другой — почти мертв, он все равно слабо смеялся). Then the laughter stopped (затем смех прекратился).

Arioch slapped his body, killing a dozen or so Mabden, and scratched his stomach (Ариох хлопнул по телу, убив дюжину или около того мабденов, и почесал живот; to scratch — царапать/ся/, скрести/сь/; чесать/ся/, расчесывать; stomach — желудок; живот). He inspected the bloody remains in his palm and absently wiped them on his hair (он пристально посмотрел на кровавые останки на своей ладони и рассеянно вытер их о волосы). Living Mabden seized the scraps and devoured them (живые мабдены набросились на куски /прихлопнутых/ и сожрали их; to seize — хватать, ухватываться; scrap — клочок, кусочек; объедки, остатки /пищи/).

dozen [dAzn] stomach [`stAmqk] absently [`xbs (q) ntlI] devoured [dI`vauqd]

Arioch's hair was long, lank and dry. Here, too, Mabden searched for and fought over the bits of food that clung to the strands. Elsewhere in the God's body hair Mabden crept in and out, hunting for scraps and crumbs or tender portions of his flesh.

The two demons fell back. One of them was dead, the other almost dead but still laughing weakly. Then the laughter stopped.

Arioch slapped his body, killing a dozen or so Mabden, and scratched his stomach. He inspected the bloody remains in his palm and absently wiped them on his hair. Living Mabden seized the scraps and devoured them.

Then a huge sigh issued from the God's mouth (потом огромный вздох раздался из рта бога = Ариох громко вздохнул; to issue from — вытекать, исходить) and he began to pick his nose with a dirty finger that was the size of a tall poplar (и он принялся ковырять в носу грязным пальцем, который был размером с высокий тополь).

Corum saw that there were openings beneath the galleries and stairways twisting upwards (Корум увидел, что под галереями есть проходы и лестницы, поднимавшиеся наверх; to twist — виться, изгибать/ся/), but he had no notion where the highest tower of the palace might be (но он понятия не имел, где может находиться самая высокая башня дворца). He began to move, soft-footed, around the hall (он начал двигаться, крадучись: «с мягкими ногами», по залу; to move around — передвигаться, перемещаться).

Arioch's ears caught the sound and the God became alert (уши Ариоха уловили звук /его шагов/, и бог насторожился). He bent his head and peered about the floor (он наклонил голову и всмотрелся в пол). The huge eyes fixed on Corum and a monstrously large hand reached out to grasp him (огромные глаза остановились на Коруме, и невероятно большая рука потянулась, чтобы схватить его).

alert [q`lq: t] monstrously [`mOnstrqslI] grasp [grRsp]

Then a huge sigh issued from the God's mouth and he began to pick his nose with a dirty finger that was the size of a tall poplar.

Corum saw that there were openings beneath the galleries and stairways twisting upwards, but he had no notion where the highest tower of the palace might be. He began to move, soft-footed, around the hall.

Arioch's ears caught the sound and the God became alert. He bent his head and peered about the floor. The huge eyes fixed on Corum and a monstrously large hand reached out to grasp him.

Corum raised his sword and hacked at the hand (Корум поднял меч и рубанул руку), but Arioch laughed and drew the Vadhagh prince towards him (но Ариох рассмеялся и подтянул вадагского принца к себе).

`What's this (что это)? the voice boomed (прогремел голос). `Not one of mine (не один из моих). Not one of mine.

Corum continued to strike at the hand and Arioch continued to seem unaware of the blows (Корум продолжал наносить удары по руке, а Ариох продолжал выглядеть незнающим = казалось, не замечал ударов), though the sword raised deep cuts in the flesh (хотя меч оставлял глубокие порезы в его плоти; to raise — поднимать; вызывать, порождать). From over his shoulders, behind his ears and from within his filthy hair (из-за его плеч, из-за его ушей, из его грязных волос), Mabden eyes regarded Corum with terrified curiosity (глаза мабденов смотрели на Корума с ужасом и любопытством: «напуганным любопытством»; to regard — расценивать; рассматривать).

`Not one of mine, Arioch boomed again (снова прогремел Ариох). `One of his (один из его). Aye. One of his.

`Whose (чей)? Corum shouted, still struggling (крикнул Корум, по-прежнему сражаясь /с рукой/).

regarded [rI`gRdId] curiosity [, kju (q) rI`OsItI]

Corum raised his sword and hacked at the hand, but Arioch laughed and drew the Vadhagh prince towards him.

`What's this? the voice boomed. `Not one of mine. Not one of mine.

Corum continued to strike at the hand and Arioch continued to seem unaware of the blows, though the sword raised deep cuts in the flesh. From over his shoulders, behind his ears and from within his filthy hair, Mabden eyes regarded Corum with terrified curiosity.

`Not one of mine, Arioch boomed again. `One of his. Aye. One of his.

`Whose? Corum shouted, still struggling.

`The one whose castle I recently inherited (того, чей замок я недавно унаследовал). The dour fellow (/того/ непреклонного парня; dour — строгий, непреклонный, угрюмый). Arkyn. Arkyn of Law (Аркина, /бога/ Закона). One of his. I thought they were all gone by now (я думал, они все уже погибли; by now — к этому времени, уже). I cannot keep an eye on little beings not of my own manufacture (я не могу уследить за /всеми/ малявками: «маленькими существами» не моего собственного производства = не за своими творениями). I do not understand their ways (я не понимаю их; way — путь, дорога; манера, привычка, особенность).

`Arioch! You have destroyed all my kin (ты убил всех моих родных)!

`Ah, good (а, хорошо). All of them, you say (всех, говоришь)? Good. Is that the message you bring to me (это сообщение ты принес мне = ты пришел, чтобы сказать мне это)? Why did I not hear before, from one of my own little creatures (почему я раньше /этого/ не слышал, от кого-нибудь из моих маленьких созданий)?

`Let me go (отпусти меня)! Corum screamed (крикнул Корум).

recently [`rJs (q) ntlI] manufacture [, mxnju`fxkCq]

`The one whose castle I recently inherited. The dour fellow. Arkyn. Arkyn of Law. One of his. I thought they were all gone by now. I cannot keep an eye on little beings not of my own manufacture. I do not understand their ways.

`Arioch! You have destroyed all my kin!

`Ah, good. All of them, you say? Good. Is that the message you bring to me? Why did I not hear before, from one of my own little creatures?

`Let me go! Corum screamed.

Arioch opened his hand and Corum staggered free, gasping (Ариох разжал руку, и Корум зашатался, тяжело дыша; free — свободный). He had not expected Arioch to comply (он не ожидал, что Ариох выполнит /его просьбу/).

And then the full injustice of his fate struck him (и тут полная несправедливость его судьбы поразила Корума; to strike). Arioch bore no malice towards the Vadhagh (Ариох не питал никакой злобы к вадагам). He cared for them no more or less than he cared for the Mabden parasites feeding off his body (он проявлял к ним не больше интереса, чем к мабденам-паразитам, питавшимся = обитавшим на его теле). He was merely wiping his palette clean of old colours (он всего лишь стирал со своей палитры старые краски; to wipe clean — вытирать дочиста, протирать начисто) as a painter will before he begins a fresh canvas (как художник делает прежде, чем начать новую картину; canvas — холст, парусина; полотно, картина). All the agony and the misery he and his had suffered was on behalf of the whim of a careless God (все страдания и невзгода, которые он и его /народ/ перенес, были вызваны капризом беззаботного бога; on behalf of — от имени, в интересах) who only occasionally turned his attention to the world that he had been given to rule (который лишь изредка обращал внимание на мир, что был отдан ему в управление; occasionally — иногда, изредка, время от времени).

Then Arioch vanished (потом Ариох исчез).

malice [`mxlIs] palette [`pxlIt] behalf [bI`hRf]

Arioch opened his hand and Corum staggered free, gasping. He had not expected Arioch to comply.

And then the full injustice of his fate struck him. Arioch bore no malice towards the Vadhagh. He cared for them no more or less than he cared for the Mabden parasites feeding off his body. He was merely wiping his palette clean of old colours as a painter will before he begins a fresh canvas. All the agony and the misery he and his had suffered was on behalf of the whim of a careless God who only occasionally turned his attention to the world that he had been given to rule.

Then Arioch vanished.

Another figure stood in his place (другая фигура стояла на его месте; figure — фигура; внешний вид, облик). All the Mabden were gone (все мабдены пропали).

The other figure was beautiful and looked upon Corum with a kind of haughty affection (другая фигура была красивой и смотрела на Корума со своего рода высокомерной привязанностью). He was dressed all in black and silver (он был одет во все черное и серебряное), with a miniature version of the black sword at his side (с миниатюрным вариантом черного меча на боку). His expression was quizzical (выражение /лица/ было насмешливым). He smiled (он улыбнулся). He was the quintessence of evil (он был квинтэссенцией = воплощением зла).

`Who are you? Corum gasped.

`I am Duke Arioch, your master (я — герцог Ариох, твой хозяин). I am the Lord of Hell, a Noble of the Realm of Chaos, the Knight of the Swords (я Владыка Преисподней, Князь Царства Хаоса, Рыцарь Мечей; noble — человек благородного происхождения; дворянин). I am your enemy (я твой враг).

`So you are my enemy (значит, ты мой враг). The other form was not your true form (другое обличие не было твоим истинным /обличием/)!

haughty [`hLtI] quintessence [kwIn`tes (q) ns] Realm [relm]

Another figure stood in his place. All the Mabden were gone.

The other figure was beautiful and looked upon Corum with a kind of haughty affection. He was dressed all in black and silver, with a miniature version of the black sword at his side. His expression was quizzical. He smiled. He was the quintessence of evil.

`Who are you? Corum gasped.

`I am Duke Arioch, your master. I am the Lord of Hell, a Noble of the Realm of Chaos, the Knight of the Swords. I am your enemy.

`So you are my enemy. The other form was not your true form!

`I am anything you please, Prince Corum (я /могу быть/ всем, чем ты захочешь, принц Корум). What does «true» mean in this context (что значит «истинный» в данном случае)? I can be anything I choose — or anything you choose, if you prefer (я могу быть всем, чем пожелаю — или чем ты пожелаешь, если хочешь; to choose — выбирать, предпочитать). Consider me evil and I will don the appearance of evil (считай меня злом, и я приму обличье зла; to don — надевать). Consider me good — and I will take on a form that fits the part (считай меня добром — и я приобрету форму, которая соответствует этой роли; to take on — браться за; приобретать /форму, качество/). I care not (мне все равно). My only wish is to exist in peace, you see (единственное мое желание — существовать в мире, как видишь). To while away my time (проводить/коротать мое время). And if you wish to play a drama, some game of your own devising, I will play it until it begins to bore me (а если ты захочешь разыграть драму, какую-нибудь игру собственной выдумки, я буду играть в нее до тех пор, пока это не начнет мне надоедать).

`Were your ambitions ever thus (твои стремления всегда были такими)?

`What? What? Ever? No, I think not (нет, думаю нет). Not when I was embattled with those Lords of Law who ruled this plane before (/по крайней мере/ не тогда, когда я воевал с теми Владыками Закона, что правили этой плоскостью раньше; to embattle — строить/ся/ в боевой порядок; вести бой). But now I have won, why, I deserve what I fought for (но теперь я победил, ну и потому заслуживаю /того/, за что сражался; why — выражает разные эмоции /удивление, согласие, нетерпение и т. д. /). Do not all beings require the same (разве всем существам нужно не одно и то же; to require — требовать; нуждаться)?

peace [pJs] drama [`drRmq] require [rI`kwaIq]

`I am anything you please, Prince Corum. What does «true» mean in this context? I can be anything I choose — or anything you choose, if you prefer. Consider me evil and I will don the appearance of evil. Consider me good — and I will take on a form that fits the part. I care not. My only wish is to exist in peace, you see. To while away my time. And if you wish to play a drama, some game of your own devising, I will play it until it begins to bore me.

`Were your ambitions ever thus?

`What? What? Ever? No, I think not. Not when I was embattled with those Lords of Law who ruled this plane before. But now I have won, why, I deserve what I fought for. Do not all beings require the same?

Corum nodded (кивнул).

`I suppose they do (полагаю, да).

`Well (итак), Arioch smiled. `What now, little Corum of the Vadhagh (что теперь, маленький Корум из /племени/ вадагов)? You must be destroyed soon, you know (ты должен быть уничтожен вскоре, видишь ли). For my peace of mind, you understand, that is all (для моего /душевного/ спокойствия, понимаешь, вот и все). You have done well to reach my Court (ты правильно поступил, что добрался до моего двора). I will give you hospitality as a reward and then, at some stage, I will flick you away (я окажу тебе радушный прием в качестве награды, а потом, в какой-то момент, я прихлопну тебя; to flick — слегка ударить /резким быстрым движением/; щелкнуть, смахнуть). You know why now (теперь ты знаешь, почему).

Corum glowered (Корум сердито посмотрел /на него/).

hospitality [, hOspI`txlItI] reward [rI`wLd] glower [`glauq]

Corum nodded.

`I suppose they do.

`Well, Arioch smiled. `What now, little Corum of the Vadhagh? You must be destroyed soon, you know. For my peace of mind, you understand, that is all. You have done well to reach my Court. I will give you hospitality as a reward and then, at some stage, I will flick you away. You know why now.

Corum glowered.

`I will not be «flicked» away, Duke Arioch (я не буду «прихлопнутым», герцог Ариох). Why should I be (почему я должен быть)?

Arioch raised a hand to his beautiful face and he yawned (Ариох поднял руку к своему красивому лицу и зевнул).

`Why should you not be (а почему нет)? Now. What can I do to entertain you (что я могу сделать, чтобы развлечь тебя)?

Corum hesitated (Корум колебался). Then he said:

`Will you show me all your castle (ты не покажешь мне весь свой замок)? I have never seen anything so huge (никогда не видел ничего столь огромного).

Arioch raised an eyebrow (Ариох поднял бровь). `If that is all (если это все) …?

`All for the moment (все на данную минуту = пока все).

Arioch smiled.

yawned [jLnd] hesitated [`hezIteItId] eyebrow [`aIbrau]

`I will not be «flicked» away, Duke Arioch. Why should I be?

Arioch raised a hand to his beautiful face and he yawned.

`Why should you not be? Now. What can I do to entertain you?

Corum hesitated. Then he said:

`Will you show me all your castle? I have never seen anything so huge.

Arioch raised an eyebrow. `If that is all…?

`All for the moment.

Arioch smiled.

`Very well (хорошо). Besides, I have not seen all of it myself (кроме того, я и сам не видел его целиком). Come (пойдем).

He placed a soft hand on Corum's shoulder and led him through a doorway (он положил мягкую руку Коруму на плечо и повел его через дверь).

As they walked along a magnificent gallery with walls of coruscating marble (пока они шли по великолепной галерее со стенами из сверкающего мрамора), Arioch spoke reasonably to Corum in a low, hypnotic voice (Ариох рассудительно говорил с Корумом тихим, гипнотизирующим = вкрадчивым голосом; in a low voice — приглушенно, вполголоса).

`You see, friend Corum, these fifteen planes were stagnating (видишь ли, друг Корум, эти пятнадцать плоскостей загнивали; to stagnate — застаиваться; быть бездеятельным, косным). What did you Vadhagh and the rest do (что делали вы, вадаги, и остальные)? Nothing (ничего). You hardly moved from your cities and your castles (вы едва выходили из своих городов и замков). Nature gave birth to poppies and daisies (природа дала рождение = создала маки и маргаритки). The Lords of Law made sure that all was properly ordered (Владыки Закона позаботились о том, чтобы все было должным образом упорядочено). Nothing was happening at all (вообще ничего не происходило). We have brought so much more to your world, my brother Mabelode and my sister Xiombarg (мы привнесли в твой мир намного больше /разнообразия/, мой брат Мабелод и сестра Ксиомбарг).

magnificent [mxg`nIfIs (e) nt] coruscating [`kOrqskeItIN] hypnotic [hIp`nOtIk]

`Very well. Besides, I have not seen all of it myself. Come.

He placed a soft hand on Corum's shoulder and led him through a doorway.

As they walked along a magnificent gallery with walls of coruscating marble, Arioch spoke reasonably to Corum in a low, hypnotic voice.

`You see, friend Corum, these fifteen planes were stagnating. What did you Vadhagh and the rest do? Nothing. You hardly moved from your cities and your castles. Nature gave birth to poppies and daisies. The Lords of Law made sure that all was properly ordered. Nothing was happening at all. We have brought so much more to your world, my brother Mabelode and my sister Xiombarg.

`Who are the others (кто эти остальные)?

`You know them, I think, as the Queen of the Swords and the King of the Swords (думаю, ты знаешь их как Королеву Мечей и Короля Мечей). They each rule five of the other ten planes (каждый из них правит пятью из оставшихся десяти плоскостей). We won them from the Lords of Law a little while ago (мы отвоевали их у Владык Закона совсем недавно).

`And began your destruction of all that is truthful and wise (и вы начали уничтожение всего, что правдиво и разумно).

`If you say so, mortal (как скажешь, смертный).

Corum paused. His understanding was weakening to Arioch's persuasive voice (его понимание ослаблялось убедительным/убеждающим голосом Ариоха). He turned.

`I think you are lying to me, Duke Arioch (думаю, ты лжешь мне, герцог Ариох). There must be more to your ambition than this (у тебя должна быть более серьезное стремление, чем это).

`It is a matter of perspective, Corum (это дело перспективы = это как посмотреть, Корум). We follow our whims (мы следуем нашим капризам). We are powerful now and nothing can harm us (теперь мы могущественны, и ничто не может повредить нам). Why should we be vindictive (зачем нам быть мстительными)?

persuasive [pq`sweIsIv] perspective [pq`spektIv] vindictive [vIn`dIktIv]

`Who are the others?

`You know them, I think, as the Queen of the Swords and the King of the Swords. They each rule five of the other ten planes. We won them from the Lords of Law a little while ago.

`And began your destruction of all that is truthful and wise.

`If you say so, mortal.

Corum paused. His understanding was weakening to Arioch's persuasive voice. He turned.

`I think you are lying to me, Duke Arioch. There must be more to your ambition than this.

`It is a matter of perspective, Corum. We follow our whims. We are powerful now and nothing can harm us. Why should we be vindictive?

`Then you will be destroyed as the Vadhagh were destroyed (тогда вас уничтожат, как уничтожили вадагов). For the same reasons (по тем же причинам).

Arioch shrugged (пожал плечами).

`Perhaps (возможно).

`You have a powerful enemy in Shool of Svi-an-Fanla-Brool (у вас есть могущественный враг в /лице/ Шула с Сви-ан-Фанла-Брул)! You should fear him, I think (думаю, вам стоит опасаться его).

`You know of Shool, then (значит, ты знаешь Шула)? Arioch laughed musically (Ариох рассмеялся мелодично). `Poor Shool (бедный Шул). He schemes and plots and maligns us (он плетет интриги, строит козни и клевещет на нас). He is amusing, is he not (он забавный, не правда ли)?

`He is merely amusing (всего лишь забавный)? Corum was disbelieving (Корум не верил).

`Aye — merely amusing.

scheme [skJm] malign [mq`laIn] amusing [q`mjHzIN]

`Then you will be destroyed as the Vadhagh were destroyed. For the same reasons.

Arioch shrugged.

`Perhaps.

`You have a powerful enemy in Shool of Svi-an-Fanla-Brool! You should fear him, I think.

`You know of Shool, then? Arioch laughed musically. `Poor Shool. He schemes and plots and maligns us. He is amusing, is he not?

`He is merely amusing? Corum was disbelieving.

`Aye — merely amusing.

`He says you hate him because he is almost as powerful as yourself (он говорит, вы ненавидите его потому, что он почти такой же могущественный, как и вы).

`We hate no one (мы никого не ненавидим).

`I mistrust you, Arioch (я не доверяю тебе, Ариох).

`What mortal does not mistrust a God (какой смертный не не верит богу = разве может смертный верить богу)?

Now they were walking up a spiral ramp that seemed comprised entirely of light (теперь они поднимались по винтообразному пандусу, который, казалось, полностью состоял из света). Arioch paused (Ариох остановился).

`I think we will explore some other part of the palace (думаю, мы осмотрим какую-нибудь другую часть замка). This leads only to a tower (эта ведет всего лишь к башне).

Ahead Corum saw a doorway on which pulsed a sign (впереди Корум увидел дверь, на которой пульсировал знак) — eight arrows arranged around a circle (восемь стрел, расположенных по кругу).

`What is that sign, Arioch (что это за знак, Ариох)?

`He says you hate him because he is almost as powerful as yourself.

`We hate no one.

`I mistrust you, Arioch.

`What mortal does not mistrust a God?

Now they were walking up a spiral ramp that seemed comprised entirely of light. Arioch paused.

`I think we will explore some other part of the palace. This leads only to a tower.

Ahead Corum saw a doorway on which pulsed a sign — eight arrows arranged around a circle.

`What is that sign, Arioch?

`Nothing at all (совсем ничего = ничего особенно). The arms of Chaos (герб = символ Хаоса).

`Then what lies beyond the door (а что находится за дверью)?

`Just a tower (просто башня). Arioch became impatient (Ариох стал нетерпеливым). `Come. There are more interesting sights elsewhere (есть более интересные места; sight — вид, зрелище; достопримечательность).

Reluctantly, Corum followed him back down the ramp (неохотно, Корум последовал за ним обратно вниз по пандусу). He thought he had seen the place where Arioch kept his heart (он подумал/решил, что видел место, где Ариох хранит свое сердце).

For several more hours they wandered through the palace, observing its wonders (еще несколько часов они бродили по замку, рассматривая его чудеса). Here all was light and beauty and there were no sinister sights (везде были свет и красота, и никаких зловещих видов = ничего зловещего). This fact disturbed Corum (это беспокоило Корума). He was sure that Arioch was deceiving him (он был уверен, что Ариох обманывает его).

impatient [Im`peIS (q) nt] heart [hRt] deceiving [dI`sJvIN]

`Nothing at all. The arms of Chaos.

`Then what lies beyond the door?

`Just a tower. Arioch became impatient. `Come. There are more interesting sights elsewhere.

Reluctantly, Corum followed him back down the ramp. He thought he had seen the place where Arioch kept his heart.

For several more hours they wandered through the palace, observing its wonders. Here all was light and beauty and there were no sinister sights. This fact disturbed Corum. He was sure that Arioch was deceiving him.

They returned to the hall (они вернулись в зал).

The Mabden lice had vanished (мабдены-вши исчезли). The filth had disappeared (отбросы пропали). In its place was a table laden with food and wine (на их месте был стол, нагруженный пищей и вином). Arioch gestured towards it (Ариох указал на него).

`Will you dine with me, Prince Corum (не отобедаешь ли со мной, принц Корум)?

Corum's grin was sardonic (усмешка Корума была сардонической).

`Before you destroy me (перед тем, как ты уничтожишь меня)?

Arioch laughed (Ариох рассмеялся).

They returned to the hall.

The Mabden lice had vanished. The filth had disappeared. In its place was a table laden with food and wine. Arioch gestured towards it.

`Will you dine with me, Prince Corum?

Corum's grin was sardonic.

`Before you destroy me?

Arioch laughed.

`If you wish to continue your existence a while longer, I have no objection (если желаешь продолжить свое существование немного дольше, я не возражаю). You cannot leave my palace, you see (ты не можешь покинуть мой дворец, видишь ли). And while your naivete continues to entertain me, why should I destroy you (пока твоя наивность продолжает развлекать меня, зачем мне уничтожать тебя)?

`Do you not fear me at all (ты меня совсем не боишься)?

`I fear you not at all (я тебя не боюсь вовсе).

`Do you not fear what I represent (и ты не боишься того, что я представляю)?

`What do you represent (что ты представляешь)?

`Justice (справедливость).

Again Arioch laughed (и вновь Ариох рассмеялся).

naivete [nR`JvteI] represent [, reprI`zent]

`If you wish to continue your existence a while longer, I have no objection. You cannot leave my palace, you see. And while your naivete continues to entertain me, why should I destroy you?

`Do you not fear me at all?

`I fear you not at all.

`Do you not fear what I represent?

`What do you represent?

`Justice.

Again Arioch laughed.

`Oh, you think so narrowly (ты мыслишь так узко). There is no such thing (нет такой вещи /как справедливость/)!

`It existed when the Lords of Law ruled here (она существовала, когда Владыки Закона правили здесь).

`Everything may exist for a short while — even justice (все может существовать недолго — даже справедливость). But the true state of the universe is anarchy (но истинное состояние вселенной — анархия). It is the mortal's tragedy that he can never accept this (трагедия смертного в том, что он никогда не сможет принять это).

Corum could not reply (Корум не смог ответить). He seated himself at the table and began to eat (он сел за стол и начал есть). Arioch did not eat with him, but sat on the other side of the table and poured himself some wine (Ариох не ел с ним, но сел на другом конце стола и налил себе вина). Corum stopped eating (Корум перестал есть). Arioch smiled (улыбнулся).

anarchy [`xnqkI] tragedy [`trxGIdI]

`Oh, you think so narrowly. There is no such thing!

`It existed when the Lords of Law ruled here.

`Everything may exist for a short while — even justice. But the true state of the universe is anarchy. It is the mortal's tragedy that he can never accept this.

Corum could not reply. He seated himself at the table and began to eat. Arioch did not eat with him, but sat on the other side of the table and poured himself some wine. Corum stopped eating. Arioch smiled.

`Do not fear, Corum (не бойся, Корум). It is not poisoned (не отравлено). Why should I resort to such things as poison (зачем мне прибегать к такой вещи, как яд)?

Corum resumed eating (Корум продолжил есть). When he had finished he said (когда он закончил, то сказал):

`Now I would rest, if I am to be your guest (теперь я бы отдохнул, если я твой гость).

`Ah, Arioch seemed perplexed (Ариох казался озадаченным/сбитым с толку). `Yes — well, sleep, then (да, что ж, спи тогда).

He waved his hand and Corum fell face forward upon the table (он взмахнул рукой, и Корум упал лицом на стол). And slept (и заснул).

poisoned [`pOIz (q) nd] resort [rI`zLt] guest [gest]

`Do not fear, Corum. It is not poisoned. Why should I resort to such things as poison?

Corum resumed eating. When he had finished he said:

`Now I would rest, if I am to be your guest.

`Ah, Arioch seemed perplexed. `Yes — well, sleep, then.

He waved his hand and Corum fell face forward upon the table. And slept.