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

“Come along!” he shouted.

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

“But you never guessed my last question, and you promised,” said Bilbo.

“Never guessed!” said Gollum. Then suddenly out of the gloom came a sharp hiss. “What has it got in its pocketses? Tell us that. It must tell first.”

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

 

suspicion [sq'spIl(q)n] grew [gru:] persist [pq'sIst]

 

“But it wasn’t a fair question,” said Gollum. “Not a riddle, precious, no.”

“Oh well, if it’s a matter of ordinary questions,” Bilbo replied, “then I asked one first. What have you lost? Tell me that!”

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

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

 

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

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

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

 

wonder ['wAndq] forefinger ['fO:fINgq] terrify ['terIfaI] sheathe [Si:D]

 

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

 

curse [kq:s] ear [Iq] gurgling ['gq:glIN]

 

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

“The goblinses will catch it then (гоблинсы поймают его там). It can’t get out that way, precious (он не сможет выбраться тем путем, драгоценный).”

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

 

squeeze [skwi:z] back door [bxk'dO:] notice ['nqVtIs]

 

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

shambling ['SxmblIN] cautious ['kO:Sqs] invisible [In'vIzqb(q)l]

 

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

shaky ['SeIkI] weepy ['wi:pI] durst [dq:st] knee [ni:]

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

mouse [maVs] menacingly ['menIsINlI] crouched [kraVtSt]

 

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

 

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

 

desperate ['desp(q)rIt] threaten ['Tretn] betterment ['betqmqnt]

 

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

 

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

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

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

 

arch [Q:tS] sturdy ['stq:dI] bloodcurdling ['blAdkq:dlIN] thief [Ti:f]

 

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

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

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

 

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

“If goblins are so near (если гоблины так близко) that he smelt them (что он чувствовал их запах; to smell),” he thought (думал он; to think), “then they’ll have heard his shrieking and cursing (тогда они услышали его крики и проклятия). Careful now (надо быть осторожным теперь), or this way will lead you to worse things (или этот путь приведет тебя к еще более плохим вещам).”

The passage was low and roughly made (проход был низким и небрежно: «грубо» сделанным). It was not too difficult for the hobbit (он не был очень-то сложным для хоббита), except when, in spite of all care (за исключением /тех случаев/, когда /он/, несмотря на все предосторожности), he stubbed his poor toes again (он спотыкался своими бедными ножками: «пальцами ног» снова), several times (несколько раз), on nasty jagged stones in the floor (об отвратительные зазубренные камни на полу; jag — острый выступ, зубец).

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

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

 

silence ['saIlqns] menacing ['menIsIN] roughly ['rAflI] jagged ['dZxgId]

 

Then there was a silence. But that too seemed menacing to Bilbo. “If goblins are so near that he smelt them,” he thought, “then they’ll have heard his shrieking and cursing. Careful now, or this way will lead you to worse things.”

The passage was low and roughly made. It was not too difficult for the hobbit, except when, in spite of all care, he stubbed his poor toes again, several times, on nasty jagged stones in the floor. “A bit low for goblins, at least for the big ones,” thought Bilbo, not knowing that even the big ones, the ores of the mountains, go along at a great speed stooping low with their hands almost on the ground.

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

 

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

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

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

 

through [Tru:] armour ['Q:mq] arouse [q'raVz] misery ['mIz(q)rI] vanish ['vxnIS] yell [jel] delightedly [dI'laItIdlI]

 

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

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

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

 

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

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

“This way (сюда)!” some yelled (вопили одни).

“That way (туда)!” others yelled (вопили другие).

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

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

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

 

bellow ['belqV] whistle ['wIs(q)l] disturbance [dIs'tq:b(q)ns]

 

“Where is it?” they cried.

“Go back up the passage!” some shouted.

“This way!” some yelled. “That way!” others yelled.

“Look out for the door,” bellowed the captain.

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

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

 

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

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

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

 

blind-man's-buff [blaIndmxnz'bAf] dodge [dOdZ] ajar [q'dZQ:] squeeze [skwi:z] wedged [wedZd]

 

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

squirm [skwq:m] waistcoat ['weIskqVt] bewildered [bI'wIldqd] halloo [hq'lu:] wobble ['wOb(q)l]

 

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

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

Chapter 6