Текст книги "Английский язык с Дж. Р. Р. Толкиеном. Хоббит"

Автор книги: Джон Рональд Руэл Толкин

Соавторы: Илья Франк
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Текущая страница: 13 (всего у книги 61 страниц) [доступный отрывок для чтения: 22 страниц]

murderer [ˈmǝ: d (ǝ) rǝ] scatter [ˈskætǝ] piercing [ˈpɪǝsɪŋ] jibber [ˈdʒɪbǝ] jabber [ˈdʒæbǝ] beyond [bɪˈjɔnd]

“Murderers and elf-friends!” the Great Goblin shouted. “Slash them! Beat them! Bite them! Gnash them! Take them away to dark holes full of snakes, and never let them see the light again!” He was in such a rage that he jumped off his seat and himself rushed at Thorin with his mouth open. Just at that moment all the lights in the cavern went out, and the great fire went off poof! into a tower of blue glowing smoke, right up to the roof, that scattered piercing white sparks all among the goblins. The yells and yammering, croaking, jibbering and jabbering; howls, growls and curses; shrieking and skriking, that followed were beyond description. Several hundred wild cats and wolves being roasted slowly alive together would not have compared with it. The sparks were burning holes in the goblins, and the smoke that now fell from the roof made the air too thick for even their eyes to see through. Soon they were falling over one another and rolling in heaps on the floor, biting and kicking and fighting as if they had all gone mad.

Suddenly a sword flashed (внезапно меч засверкал) in its own light (своим собственным светом). Bilbo saw it go right through the Great Goblin (Бильбо увидел, как он пронзает: «проходит прямо насквозь» Великого Гоблина) as he stood dumbfounded (пока он стоял, ошеломленный) in the middle of his rage (в самом разгаре своей ярости; middle – середина). He fell dead (он упал замертво; to fall), and the goblin soldiers fled (и солдаты гоблины спасались бегством; to flee – убегать, спасаться бегством) before the sword (пред этим мечом) shrieking into the darkness (пронзительно крича, в темноту).

The sword went back into its sheath (меч вернулся в свои ножны).

“Follow me quick (следуйте за мной, быстро)!” said a voice fierce and quiet (сказал некий голос, свирепый/пылкий и спокойный); and before Bilbo understood (и до того, как Бильбо понял) what had happened (что случилось) he was trotting along again (он быстро потрусил снова), as fast as he could trot (как только быстро он мог бежать рысцой), at the end of the line (в самом конце цепочки), down more dark passages (по следующим темных проходам) with the yells of the goblin-hall (и вопли в гоблиновском зале) growing fainter behind him (становились все слабее за ними). A pale light was leading them on (бледный свет вел их вперед).

“Quicker (быстрее), quicker (быстрее)!” said the voice (сказал голос). “The torches will soon be relit (факелы скоро вновь будут зажжены). ”

“Half a minute (минутку; half – половина)!” said Dori, who was at the back next to Bilbo (который находился сзади, рядом с Бильбо), and a decent fellow (и славный парень). He made the hobbit scramble on his shoulders (он помог хоббиту вскарабкаться на свои плечи) as best he could (насколько хорошо он мог /это сделать/) with his tied hands (своими связанными руками), and then off they all went (и затем они все понеслись дальше) at a run (бегом), with a clink – clink of chains (с перезвоном: «дзинь-дзинь» цепей), and many a stumble (и с большим количеством спотыканий), since they had no hands to steady themselves with (так как руки у них были связаны: «так как у них не было рук», что бы поддерживать равновесие). Not for a long while did they stop (они не останавливались очень долгое время), and by that time (и к тому времени) they must have been right down in the very mountain’s heart (они, должно быть, находились в самом сердце горы).

dumbfound [dʌmˈfaʋnd] shriek [ʃri: k] quick [kwɪk]

Suddenly a sword flashed in its own light. Bilbo saw it go right through the Great Goblin as he stood dumbfounded in the middle of his rage. He fell dead, and the goblin soldiers fled before the sword shrieking into the darkness.

The sword went back into its sheath.

“Follow me quick!” said a voice fierce and quiet; and before Bilbo understood what had happened he was trotting along again, as fast as he could trot, at the end of the line, down more dark passages with the yells of the goblin-hall growing fainter behind him. A pale light was leading them on.

“Quicker, quicker!” said the voice. “The torches will soon be relit. ”

“Half a minute!” said Dori, who was at the back next to Bilbo, and a decent fellow. He made the hobbit scramble on his shoulders as best he could with his tied hands, and then off they all went at a run, with a clink-clink of chains, and many a stumble, since they had no hands to steady themselves with. Not for a long while did they stop, and by that time they must have been right down in the very mountain’s heart.

Then Gandalf lit up his wand (затем Гэндальф зажег свой жезл/свою волшебную палочку). Of course it was Gandalf (конечно же, это был Гэндальф); but just then (но как раз тогда) they were too busy (они были слишком заняты) to ask how he got there (чтобы спросить его, как он туда попал). He took out his sword again (он снова достал свой меч), and again it flashed in the dark by itself (и снова он сверкнул в темноте сам по себе). It burned with a rage (он горел от ярости) that made it gleam (которая заставляла его мерцать) if goblins were about (если гоблины были поблизости); now it was bright as blue flame (теперь он сиял ярким синем пламенем) for delight in the killing (от восторга, от того, что он убил) of the great lord of the cave (верховного повелителя пещеры). It made no trouble whatever (не составило никакого труда) of cutting through the goblin-chains (разрезать гоблиновские цепи) and setting all the prisoners free (и освободить всех пленников) as quickly as possible (так скоро, как только возможно). This sword’s name was Glamdring the Foe-hammer (имя этого меча было Глемдринг, Молот-врагов), if you remember (если вы помните). The goblins just called it Beater (гоблины же называли его просто Колотун), and hated it worse than Biter (и ненавидели его еще больше, чем Кусач) if possible (если такое возможно). Orcrist, too, had been saved (Оркрист также был спасен); for Gandalf had brought it along as well (так как Гэндальф также захватил его с собой), snatching it from one of the terrified guards (выхватив его у одного из испуганных стражников). Gandalf thought of most things (Гэндальф думал о большинстве вещей); and though he could not do everything (и хотя он не мог выполнить все), he could do a great deal (он мог сделать очень многое) for friends in a tight corner (для друзей, /оказавшихся/ в опасном положении: «в тесном углу»).

wand [wɔnd] foe [fǝʋ] tight [taɪt]

Then Gandalf lit up his wand. Of course it was Gandalf; but just then they were too busy to ask how he got there. He took out his sword again, and again it flashed in the dark by itself. It burned with a rage that made it gleam if goblins were about; now it was bright as blue flame for delight in the killing of the great lord of the cave. It made no trouble whatever of cutting through the goblin-chains and setting all the prisoners free as quickly as possible. This sword’s name was Glamdring the Foe-hammer, if you remember. The goblins just called it Beater, and hated it worse than Biter if possible. Orcrist, too, had been saved; for Gandalf had brought it along as well, snatching it from one of the terrified guards. Gandalf thought of most things; and though he could not do everything, he could do a great deal for friends in a tight corner.

“Are we all here (все на месте: «мы здесь все»)?” said he (сказал он), handing his sword back to Thorin (вручая его меч обратно Торину) with a bow (с поклоном).

“Let me see (дайте подумать): one – that’s Thorin (один – это Торин); two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven (два, три, четыре, пять, шесть, семь, восемь, девять, десять, одиннадцать); where are Fili and Kili (где Фили и Кили)? Here they are (вот они), twelve, thirteen (двенадцать, тринадцать) – and here’s Mr. Baggins (а вот и мистер Бэггинс): fourteen (четырнадцать)! Well, well (ну уж)! it might be worse (могло быть и хуже), and then again (но все же: «и кроме того») it might be a good deal better (могло бы быть гораздо лучше). No ponies (без пони), and no food (и без пищи), and no knowing quite where we are (и не знаем точно, где мы), and hordes of angry goblins just behind (и полчища: «орды» рассерженных гоблинов прямо за нашими спинами)! On we go (бежим дальше)!”

On they went (они и двигались дальше). Gandalf was quite right (Гэндальф был совершенно прав): they began to hear goblin noises (они начали слышать шум, /производимый/ гоблинами) and horrible cries (и ужасные крики) far behind in the passages (где-то далеко позади, в тех самых туннелях) they had come through (по которым они прошли). That sent them on faster than ever (это гнало их: «посылало их» вперед быстрее, чем когда бы то ни было), and as poor Bilbo could not possibly go half as fast (и так как бедняжка Бильбо просто не мог двигаться и вполовину так же быстро) – for dwarves can roll along at a tremendous pace (так как гномы могут нестись на огромнейшей скорости; pace – шаг, поступь, темп), I can tell you (могу вам сказать), when they have to (когда они вынуждены делать это) – they took it in turn (они по очереди) to carry him on their backs (несли его на своих спинах). Still goblins go faster than dwarves (и все же гоблины двигаются быстрее, чем гномы), and these goblins knew the way better (и эти гоблины лучше знали дорогу) (they had made the paths themselves (они сделали эти тропинки сами), and were madly angry (и они были безумно рассержены); so that do what they could (и хотя они делали все возможное) the dwarves heard the cries and howls getting closer and closer (гномы слышали, как крики и вопли становились все ближе и ближе). Soon they could hear (вскоре они могли слышать) even the flap of the goblin feet (даже шлепки от ног гоблинов), many many feet (большого, большого количества ног) which seemed only just round the last corner (которые, казалось, /были/ всего лишь за последним углом). The blink of red torches could be seen behind them (мерцание красных факелов было видно позади их) in the tunnel they were following (в тех туннелях, по которым они сами следовали); and they were getting deadly tired (и они уже смертельно устали; to get tired – становиться уставшим, уставать).

bow [baʋ] horde [hɔ: d] deadly [ˈdedlɪ] tired [ˈtaɪǝd]

“Are we all here?” said he, handing his sword back to Thorin with a bow. “Let me see: one – that’s Thorin; two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven; where are Fili and Kili? Here they are, twelve, thirteen – and here’s Mr. Baggins: fourteen! Well, well! it might be worse, and then again it might be a good deal better. No ponies, and no food, and no knowing quite where we are, and hordes of angry goblins just behind! On we go!”

On they went. Gandalf was quite right: they began to hear goblin noises and horrible cries far behind in the passages they had come through. That sent them on faster than ever, and as poor Bilbo could not possibly go half as fast – for dwarves can roll along at a tremendous pace, I can tell you, when they have to – they took it in turn to carry him on their backs. Still goblins go faster than dwarves, and these goblins knew the way better (they had made the paths themselves), and were madly angry; so that do what they could the dwarves heard the cries and howls getting closer and closer. Soon they could hear even the flap of the goblin feet, many many feet which seemed only just round the last corner. The blink of red torches could be seen behind them in the tunnel they were following; and they were getting deadly tired.

“Why (почему), O why did I ever leave my hobbit-hole (ну почему же я вообще оставил свою хоббитовскую норку)!” said poor Mr. Baggins (сказал бедный мистер Бэггинс) bumping up and down on Bombur’s back (подпрыгивая вверх и вниз на спине Бомбура).

“Why, O why (почему, ну почему же) did I ever bring a wretched little hobbit (я вообще взял этого несчастного маленького хоббита) on a treasure hunt (на поиски сокровищ)!” said poor Bombur (сказал бедный Бомбур), who was fat (который был толстым), and staggered along (и двигался, покачиваясь) with the sweat dripping down his nose (и пот капал с его носа) in his heat and terror (от жары и ужаса).

At this point Gandalf fell behind (на этом месте Гэндальф отстал), and Thorin with him (и Торин вместе с ним). They turned a sharp corner (они обогнули острый угол).

“About turn (обернитесь)!” he shouted (закричал он). “Draw your sword, Thorin (обнажите свой меч, Торин; to draw – тащить, вытаскивать)!” There was nothing else to be done (ничего больше и не оставалось сделать); and the goblins did not like it (и гоблинам это не понравилось). They came scurrying round the corner (они бросились за угол) in full cry (в бешенной погоне: «с громким криком»), and found Goblin-cleaver and Foe-hammer shining cold and bright (и с удивлением для себя обнаружили Рубщика-гоблинов и Молот – врагов, сияющих холодным и ярким /светом/) right in their astonished eyes (прямо в их удивленные глаза). The ones in front dropped their torches (те гоблины, что были впереди, уронили свои факелы) and gave one yell (и вскрикнули один раз) before they were killed (перед тем, как они были убиты). The ones behind yelled still more (те, что были позади, завопили еще больше), and leaped back (и отскочили назад) knocking over those (сметая с пути тех) that were running after them (которые бежали за ними).

“Biter and Beater (Кусач и Колотун)!” they shrieked (закричали они); and soon they were all in confusion (и вскоре все они оказались в беспорядке), and most of them were hustling back (и большинство из них стало тесниться назад) the way they had come (по тому же пути, по которому они пришли).

wretched [ˈretʃɪd] stagger [ˈstæɡǝ] sweat [swet] scurry [ˈskʌrɪ]

“Why, O why did I ever leave my hobbit-hole!” said poor Mr. Baggins bumping up and down on Bombur’s back.

“Why, O why did I ever bring a wretched little hobbit on a treasure hunt!” said poor Bombur, who was fat, and staggered along with the sweat dripping down his nose in his heat and terror.

At this point Gandalf fell behind, and Thorin with him. They turned a sharp corner. “About turn!” he shouted. “Draw your sword, Thorin!” There was nothing else to be done; and the goblins did not like it. They came scurrying round the corner in full cry, and found Goblin-cleaver and Foe-hammer shining cold and bright right in their astonished eyes. The ones in front dropped their torches and gave one yell before they were killed. The ones behind yelled still more, and leaped back knocking over those that were running after them. “Biter and Beater!” they shrieked; and soon they were all in confusion, and most of them were hustling back the way they had come.

It was quite a long while (прошло достаточно много времени) before any of them (до того, как кто-либо из них) dared to turn that corner (посмели завернуть за тот угол). By that time (к тому времени) the dwarves had gone on again (гномы снова продвинулись дальше), a long, long, way on (далеко вперед) into the dark tunnels of the goblins’ realm (в темные туннели гоблиновского царства). When the goblins discovered that (когда гоблины обнаружили это), they put out their torches (они потушили свои факелы) and they slipped on soft shoes (и они натянули мягкие ботинки), and they chose out their very quickest runners (и они отобрали своих наибыстрейших бегунов) with the sharpest ears and eyes (с самым острым слухом и зрением). These ran forward (эти-то и побежали вперед), as swift as weasels (так же быстро, как горностаи) in the dark (в темноте), and with hardly any more noise than bats (и вряд ли они производили больше шума, чем летучие мыши). That is why neither Bilbo (вот почему ни Бильбо), nor the dwarves (ни гномы), nor even Gandalf (ни даже Гэндальф) heard them coming (не услышали, как они подходят). Nor did they see them (не смогли они и увидеть их). But they were seen by the goblins (но гоблины видели их: «но они были видены гоблинами») that ran silently up behind (которые бежали бесшумно вслед за ними), for Gandalf was letting his wand give out a faint light (так как Гэндальф заставил свой жезл гореть слабым светом) to help the dwarves as they went along (чтобы помочь гномам продвигаться вперед).

Quite suddenly Dori (совершенно внезапно Дори), now at the back again carrying Bilbo (который теперь был в конце и снова нес Бильбо), was grabbed from behind in the dark (был схвачен сзади в темноте). He shouted and fell (он закричал и упал); and the hobbit rolled off his shoulders into the blackness (и хоббит скатился с его плеч в черноту), bumped his head on hard rock (и ударился своей головой о твердую скалу), and remembered nothing more (и больше ничего не помнил).

weasel [ˈwi: z (ǝ) l] behind [bɪˈhaɪnd] shoulder [ˈʃǝʋldǝ]

It was quite a long while before any of them dared to turn that corner. By that time the dwarves had gone on again, a long, long, way on into the dark tunnels of the goblins’ realm. When the goblins discovered that, they put out their torches and they slipped on soft shoes, and they chose out their very quickest runners with the sharpest ears and eyes. These ran forward, as swift as weasels in the dark, and with hardly any more noise than bats. That is why neither Bilbo, nor the dwarves, nor even Gandalf heard them coming. Nor did they see them. But they were seen by the goblins that ran silently up behind, for Gandalf was letting his wand give out a faint light to help the dwarves as they went along.

Quite suddenly Dori, now at the back again carrying Bilbo, was grabbed from behind in the dark. He shouted and fell; and the hobbit rolled off his shoulders into the blackness, bumped his head on hard rock, and remembered nothing more.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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