Текст книги "Английский язык с У. С. Моэмом. На окраине империи. Рассказы"

Автор книги: Уильям Моэм

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Текущая страница: 23 (всего у книги 23 страниц)

Anguish seized him (ему стало больно: «боль охватила его») and he battered at that impenetrable self of hers (и он /старался/ пробить брешь в этом ее неприступном «я»; to batter – сильно бить, колотить; громить) which sullenly resisted him (которое угрюмо сопротивлялось ему). His love became bitter (его любовь стала мучительной: «горькой»). He tried to melt her heart with kindness (он пытался растопить ее сердце /своей/ добротой), but it remained as hard as before (но оно оставалось таким же черствым, как и раньше); he feigned indifference, but she did not notice it (он притворялся равнодушным: «симулировал безразличие», но она не замечала этого). Sometimes he lost his temper and abused her (временами он выходил из себя: «терял свое самообладание» и ругал/оскорблял ее), and then she wept silently (и тогда она молча плакала; to weep). Sometimes he thought she was nothing but a fraud (иногда он думал, /что/ она ничего кроме = только обман; fraud – обман; мошенничество, жульничество; подделка), and that soul simply an invention of his own (а та /самая/ душа – просто его собственная выдумка), and that he could not get into the sanctuary of her heart (и что он не мог проникнуть в святилище ее сердца) because there was no sanctuary there (потому что там /и не/ было никакого святилища). His love became a prison from which he longed to escape (его любовь стала тюрьмой, из которой он жаждал сбежать), but he had not the strength merely to open the door (но у него не было сил /даже/ просто открыть дверь) – that was all it needed (это все, /что/ для этого требовалось) – and walk out into the open air (и выйти на свободу: «на открытый воздух»). It was torture and at last he became numb and hopeless (это было пыткой и, наконец, он оцепенел и отчаялся; to become – становиться; numb – онемелый, оцепенелый; hopeless – безнадежный; отчаявшийся). In the end the fire burnt itself out (в конечном счете, огонь /его страсти/ догорел сам по себе) and, when he saw her eyes rest for an instant on the slender bridge (и, когда он увидел, /что/ ее глаза остановились на мгновение на тонком мосту), it was no longer rage that filled his heart but impatience (больше не = уже не ярость наполнила его сердце, а раздражение). For many years now they had lived together (много лет уже они прожили вместе) bound by the ties of habit and convenience (связанные узами привычки и удобства), and it was with a smile that he looked back on his old passion (и с улыбкой /теперь/ он вспоминал: «оглядывался» на свою давнюю страсть). She was an old woman (она была /уже/ старой женщиной), for the women on the islands age quickly (ибо женщины на этих островах стареют быстро), and if he had no love for her any more (и если он и не имел = не чувствовал к ней больше любви) he had tolerance (то имел = относился с терпимостью). She left him alone (она не трогала его; to leave alone– оставить в покое). He was contented with his piano and his books (/а/ он довольствовался своим роялем и книгами).

feign [feIn], sanctuary [`sxNkCuqrI], numb [nAm]

Anguish seized him and he battered at that impenetrable self of hers which sullenly resisted him. His love became bitter. He tried to melt her heart with kindness, but it remained as hard as before; he feigned indifference, but she did not notice it. Sometimes he lost his temper and abused her, and then she wept silently. Sometimes he thought she was nothing but a fraud, and that soul simply an invention of his own, and that he could not get into the sanctuary of her heart because there was no sanctuary there. His love became a prison from which he longed to escape, but he had not the strength merely to open the door – that was all it needed – and walk out into the open air. It was torture and at last he became numb and hopeless. In the end the fire burnt itself out and, when he saw her eyes rest for an instant on the slender bridge, it was no longer rage that filled his heart but impatience. For many years now they had lived together bound by the ties of habit and convenience, and it was with a smile that he looked back on his old passion. She was an old woman, for the women on the islands age quickly, and if he had no love for her any more he had tolerance. She left him alone. He was contented with his piano and his books.

His thoughts led him to a desire for words (его мысли привели его к = возбудили в нем желание говорить; word– слово; речь, разговор).

"When I look back now (когда я сейчас оглядываюсь назад) and reflect on that brief passionate love of Red and Sally (и размышляю над той недолгой страстной любовью Рыжего и Салли), I think that perhaps they should thank the ruthless fate (я думаю, что, может быть, им следует поблагодарить безжалостную судьбу) that separated them (что разлучила их) when their love seemed still to be at its height (когда их любовь, казалось, все еще была на своем пике; height– высота; вершина; высшая точка). They suffered (/да/, они страдали), but they suffered in beauty (но страдали они в красоте). They were spared the real tragedy of love (они были избавлены = избежали настоящей трагедии любви)."

"I don’t know exactly as I get you (я не знаю даже, понимаю ли я вас; exactly – точно)," said the skipper.

"The tragedy of love is not death or separation (трагедия любви – не смерть или разлука). How long do you think it would have been (как долго, вы думаете, это бы продлилось: «было») before one or other of them ceased to care (прежде чем кто-нибудь: «один или другой» из них перестал любить; to care – заботиться; питать интерес, любовь)? Oh, it is dreadfully bitter to look at a woman (о, это так горько смотреть на женщину; dreadfully – ужасно; очень) whom you have loved with all your heart and soul (которую ты /прежде/ любил всем своим сердцем и душой), so that you felt you could not bear (так, что ты чувствовал, /что/ не сможешь вынести) to let her out of your sight (/если/ выпустишь ее = если она хоть на миг исчезнет из твоего поля зрения), and realise that you would not mind (и осознавать /теперь/, что тебе было бы все равно: «ты бы не возражал») if you never saw her again (если бы ты никогда ее больше /не/ увидел; again – снова). The tragedy of love is indifference (трагедия любви – это равнодушие)."

tragedy [`trxGIdI], separation ["sepq`reIS(q)n], dreadful [`dredful]

His thoughts led him to a desire for words.

«When I look back now and reflect on that brief passionate love of Red and Sally, I think that perhaps they should thank the ruthless fate that separated them when their love seemed still to be at its height. They suffered, but they suffered in beauty. They were spared the real tragedy of love.»

«I don’t know exactly as I get you,» said the skipper.

«The tragedy of love is not death or separation. How long do you think it would have been before one or other of them ceased to care? Oh, it is dreadfully bitter to look at a woman whom you have loved with all your heart and soul, so that you felt you could not bear to let her out of your sight, and realise that you would not mind if you never saw her again. The tragedy of love is indifference.»

But while he was speaking a very extraordinary thing happened (но пока он говорил, случилось нечто очень странное; thing – вещь). Though he had been addressing the skipper (хотя он /до этого/ и обращался к шкиперу) he had not been talking to him (он разговаривал не с ним), he had been putting his thoughts into words for himself (он слагал свои мысли в слова для себя самого), and with his eyes fixed on the man in front of him (и, не сводя глаз с этого человека перед ним; eye – глаз; взгляд; to fix – фиксировать) he had not seen him (он /как бы/ не видел его). But now an image presented itself to them (но теперь им = его глазам явился образ), an image not of the man he saw, but of another man (образ не того человека, /которого/ он видел, а другого). It was as though he were looking into one of those distorting mirrors (это было /так/, как будто он смотрел в одно из тех кривых зеркал; to distort – искажать; деформировать) that make you extraordinarily squat or outrageously elongate (которые делают тебя необычайно коротким и толстым или вопиюще длинным; elongate – удлиненный, вытянутый), but here exactly the opposite took place (но здесь как раз противоположное имело место), and in the obese, ugly old man (и в этом тучном, отвратительном старике) he caught the shadowy glimpse of a stripling (он уловил смутный образ юноши; glimpse – проблеск; мимолетное впечатление). He gave him now a quick, searching scrutiny (теперь он дал ему = бросил на него быстрый, испытующий взгляд; scrutiny– внимательный взгляд). Why had a haphazard stroll brought him just to this place (почему случайная прогулка привела его прямо к этому месту)? A sudden tremor of his heart made him slightly breathless (/от/ внезапной дрожи в сердце у него слегка перехватило дыхание; to make – делать; приводить к какому-либо состоянию; breathless – задыхающийся). And absurd suspicion seized him (и нелепое подозрение завладело им). What had occurred to him was impossible (то, что случилось с ним, было невероятно), and yet it might be a fact (и все же это могло быть и правдой; fact– факт; действительность).

"What is your name (как ваше имя)?" he asked abruptly (спросил он резко).

outrageous [aut`reIGqs], haphazard [`hxp`hxzqd], abruptly [q`brAptlI]

But while he was speaking a very extraordinary thing happened. Though he had been addressing the skipper he had not been talking to him, he had been putting his thoughts into words for himself, and with his eyes fixed on the man in front of him he had not seen him. But now an image presented itself to them, an image not of the man he saw, but of another man. It was as though he were looking into one of those distorting mirrors that make you extraordinarily squat or outrageously elongate, but here exactly the opposite took place, and in the obese, ugly old man he caught the shadowy glimpse of a stripling. He gave him now a quick, searching scrutiny. Why had a haphazard stroll brought him just to this place? A sudden tremor of his heart made him slightly breathless. And absurd suspicion seized him. What had occurred to him was impossible, and yet it might be a fact.

«What is your name?» he asked abruptly.

The skipper’s face puckered (шкипер поморщился: «лицо шкипера сморщилось») and he gave a cunning chuckle (и он издал лукавый смешок). He looked then malicious and horribly vulgar (у него при этом был злорадный и ужасно вульгарный вид; to look – смотреть; выглядеть; malicious – злобный; злонамеренный).

"It’s such a damned long time (так чертовски много времени /прошло/) since I heard it (с тех пор как я слышал его /в последний раз/) that I almost forget it myself (что я почти и сам его забыл). But for thirty years now (но вот уже как тридцать лет) in the islands they’ve always called me Red (на этих островах они всегда звали меня Рыжим)."

His huge form shook as he gave a low, almost silent laugh (его громадное тело затряслось, когда он негромко, почти что беззвучно рассмеялся; form– форма; фигура). It was obscene (это было отвратительно). Neilson shuddered (Нилсон содрогнулся). Red was hugely amused (Рыжего /все это/ сильно забавляло), and from his bloodshot eyes tears ran down his cheeks (и из его налитых кровью глаз по щекам бежали слезы).

Neilson gave a gasp (у Нилсона перехватило дыхание; gasp– затрудненное дыхание), for at that moment a woman came in (потому что в тот момент /в комнату/ вошла женщина). She was a native (она была туземкой), a woman of somewhat commanding presence (женщина довольно внушительного вида; presence– присутствие; осанка, внешний вид), stout without being corpulent (полная, но не тучная), dark (темная = с темной кожей), for the natives grow darker with age (ибо туземцы становятся темнее с возрастом), with very grey hair (с очень седыми волосами). She wore a black Mother Hubbard (она носила = на ней было черное свободное платье; Mother Hubbard– широкое, свободное платье без пояса), and its thinness showed her heavy breasts (и через тонкий материал были видны ее тяжелые груди; thinness– тонкость;to show– показывать). The moment had come (наступил момент /истины/).

malicious [mq`lISqs], obscene [qb`sJn], breast [brest]

The skipper’s face puckered and he gave a cunning chuckle. He looked then malicious and horribly vulgar.

«It’s such a damned long time since I heard it that I almost forget it myself. But for thirty years now in the islands they’ve always called me Red.»

His huge form shook as he gave a low, almost silent laugh. It was obscene. Neilson shuddered. Red was hugely amused, and from his bloodshot eyes tears ran down his cheeks.

Neilson gave a gasp, for at that moment a woman came in. She was a native, a woman of somewhat commanding presence, stout without being corpulent, dark, for the natives grow darker with age, with very grey hair. She wore a black Mother Hubbard, and its thinness showed her heavy breasts. The moment had come.

She made an observation to Neilson about some household matter (она что-то сказала Нилсону насчет каких-то домашних дел; to make an observation – сделать замечание; высказаться; matter – вопрос, дело) and he answered (и он ответил /ей/). He wondered (он хотел бы знать) if his voice sounded as unnatural to her (звучал ли его голос также неестественно для нее) as it did to himself (как он звучал для него самого; todo– делать; также употребляется вместо другого глагола во избежание его повторения). She gave the man who was sitting in the chair by the window an indifferent glance (она дала = бросила на человека, сидящего в кресле у окна, безразличный взгляд), and went out of the room (и вышла из комнаты). The moment had come and gone (момент /истины/ настал и прошел).

Neilson for a moment could not speak (Нилсон на минуту потерял дар речи: «не мог говорить»). He was strangely shaken (он был /как-то/ странно потрясен). Then he said (затем он сказал):

"I’d be very glad if you’d stay (я был бы очень рад, если бы вы остались) and have a bit of dinner with me (и немного перекусили: «отобедали» со мной). Pot luck (чем Бог послал; pot – горшок, котелок;luck– удача)."

"I don’t think I will (не думаю, что останусь)," said Red. "I must go after this fellow Gray (я должен разыскать этого парня, Грэя). I’ll give him his stuff (я отдам ему его барахло) and then I’ll get away (а потом я уплыву; togetaway– уходить, отправляться). I want to be back in Apia tomorrow (мне нужно быть снова в Апии завтра; back– назад; обратно)."

"I’ll send a boy along with you to show you the way (я пошлю мальчика вместе с вами, /чтобы он/ показал вам дорогу)."

"That’ll be fine (вот и отлично)."

observation ["Obzq(:)`veIS(q)n], wonder [`wAndq], strange [streInG]

She made an observation to Neilson about some household matter and he answered. He wondered if his voice sounded as unnatural to her as it did to himself. She gave the man who was sitting in the chair by the window an indifferent glance, and went out of the room. The moment had come and gone.

Neilson for a moment could not speak. He was strangely shaken. Then he said:

«I’d be very glad if you’d stay and have a bit of dinner with me. Pot luck.»

«I don’t think I will,» said Red. «I must go after this fellow Gray. I’ll give him his stuff and then I’ll get away. I want to be back in Apia tomorrow.»

«I’ll send a boy along with you to show you the way.»

«That’ll be fine.»

Red heaved himself out of his chair (Рыжий /тяжело/ поднялся из своего кресла; to heave – поднимать, перемещать/тяжести/), while the Swede called one of the boys who worked on the plantation (в то время как швед позвал одного из мальчишек, которые работали на плантации). He told him where the skipper wanted to go (он сообщил ему, куда шкипер хотел пойти), and the boy stepped along the bridge (и мальчик зашагал по мосту; along – вдоль). Red prepared to follow him (Рыжий приготовился последовать за ним).

"Don’t fall in (не упадите в /воду/)," said Neilson.

"Not on your life (ни за что)."

Neilson watched him make his way across (Нилсон наблюдал, /как/ он идет на ту сторону /речки/; to make one’s way– продвигаться; пробираться;across– через) and when he had disappeared among the coconuts (и когда тот /уже/ исчез за кокосовыми пальмами: «среди кокосов») he looked still (он все еще смотрел). Then he sank heavily in his chair (потом он тяжело опустился в свое кресло). Was that the man who had prevented him from being happy (был /ли/ это тот человек, который помешал ему быть счастливым)? Was that the man whom Sally had loved all these years (был /ли/ это тот человек, которого Салли любила все эти годы) and for whom she had waited so desperately (и которого она ждала так отчаянно)? It was grotesque (это было нелепо; grotesque – гротескный; абсурдный). A sudden fury seized him so (внезапное бешенство охватило его так) that he had an instinct to spring up and smash everything around him (что у него возникло безотчетное желание подскочить и /начать/ крушить все вокруг; instinct – инстинкт). He had been cheated (его надули). They had seen each other at last (они увидели друг друга наконец) and had not known it (и /даже/ не осознали этого). He began to laugh, mirthlessly (он начал невесело смеяться; mirth – веселье), and his laughter grew till it became hysterical (и его смех усиливался до тех пор, пока /не/ стал истеричным). The Gods had played him a cruel trick (боги жестоко подшутили над ним; to play a trick – разыграть; обмануть). And he was old now (а теперь он был стар).

prevent [prI`vent], grotesque [grqu`tesk], hysterical [hIs`terIk(q)l]

Red heaved himself out of his chair, while the Swede called one of the boys who worked on the plantation. He told him where the skipper wanted to go, and the boy stepped along the bridge. Red prepared to follow him.

«Don’t fall in,» said Neilson.

«Not on your life.»

Neilson watched him make his way across and when he had disappeared among the coconuts he looked still. Then he sank heavily in his chair. Was that the man who had prevented him from being happy? Was that the man whom Sally had loved all these years and for whom she had waited so desperately? It was grotesque. A sudden fury seized him so that he had an instinct to spring up and smash everything around him. He had been cheated. They had seen each other at last and had not known it. He began to laugh, mirthlessly, and his laughter grew till it became hysterical. The Gods had played him a cruel trick. And he was old now.

At last Sally came in to tell him dinner was ready (наконец Салли вошла, /чтобы/ сказать ему, /что/ обед был готов). He sat down in front of her and tried to eat (он сел напротив нее и пытался есть; in front of – перед, впереди). He wondered what she would say (ему было интересно, что бы она сказала) if he told her now (если бы он рассказал ей теперь) that the fat old man sitting in the chair (что тот толстый старик, сидевший в кресле) was the lover (был тем возлюбленным) whom she remembered still with the passionate abandonment of her youth (которого она все еще помнила с пылкой несдержанностью своей юности; abandonment – непринужденность; импульсивность; to abandon – покидать, оставлять). Years ago (/много/ лет тому назад), when he hated her because she made him so unhappy (когда он ненавидел ее, потому что она сделала его таким несчастным), he would have been glad to tell her (он был бы рад рассказать ей). He wanted to hurt her then (он хотел сделать ей больно тогда) as she hurt him (/так же/ как она делала ему больно), because his hatred was only love (потому что его ненависть была просто любовью). But now he did not care (но теперь ему было все равно). He shrugged his shoulders listlessly (он безразлично пожал плечами).

"What did that man want (чего хотел тот мужчина)?" she asked presently (спросила она спустя некоторое время).

He did not answer at once (он ответил не сразу). She was too old (она была очень/слишком старой), a fat old native woman (толстая старая туземка). He wondered why he had ever loved her so madly (он удивлялся, почему же когда-то он любил ее так безумно). He had laid at her feet all the treasures of his soul (он положил к ее ногам все сокровища своей души; foot – ступня), and she had cared nothing for them (а ей ничего этого не было нужно; to care – заботиться; питать интерес, любовь). Waste, what waste (зря, все зря; waste– пустая трата;what– что; какой)! And now, when he looked at her (и теперь, когда он глядел на нее), he felt only contempt (он чувствовал только презрение). His patience was at last exhausted (его терпение наконец лопнуло; to exhaust – исчерпывать; изнурять). He answered her question (он ответил на ее вопрос).

"He’s the captain of a schooner (он капитан одной шхуны). He’s come from Apia (он прибыл из Апии)."

"Yes (да)."

"He brought me news from home (он привез мне новость из дома). My eldest brother is very ill (мой старший брат очень болен; eldest– самый старший) and I must go back (и я должен вернуться: «ехать назад»)."

"Will you be gone long (ты долго будешь в отъезде: «уехавшим»)?"

He shrugged his shoulders (он пожал плечами).

front [frAnt], hatred [`heItrId], treasure [`treZq]

At last Sally came in to tell him dinner was ready. He sat down in front of her and tried to eat. He wondered what she would say if he told her now that the fat old man sitting in the chair was the lover whom she remembered still with the passionate abandonment of her youth. Years ago, when he hated her because she made him so unhappy, he would have been glad to tell her. He wanted to hurt her then as she hurt him, because his hatred was only love. But now he did not care. He shrugged his shoulders listlessly.

«What did that man want?» she asked presently.

He did not answer at once. She was too old, a fat old native woman. He wondered why he had ever loved her so madly. He had laid at her feet all the treasures of his soul, and she had cared nothing for them. Waste, what waste! And now, when he looked at her, he felt only contempt. His patience was at last exhausted. He answered her question.

«He’s the captain of a schooner. He’s come from Apia.»

«Yes.»

«He brought me news from home. My eldest brother is very ill and I must go back.»

«Will you be gone long?»

He shrugged his shoulders.