Is that The Mountain?” asked Bilbo in a solemn voice, looking at it with round eyes. He had never seen a thing that looked so big before.

“Of course not!” said Balin. “That is only the beginning of the Misty Mountains, and we have to get through, or over, or under those somehow, before we can come into Wilderland beyond. And it is a deal of a way even from the other side of them to the Lonely Mountain in the East Where Smaug lies on our treasure. ”

O!” said Bilbo, and just at that moment he felt more fared than he ever remembered feeling before. He was thinking once again of his comfortable chair before the fire in his favourite sitting-room in his hobbit-hole, and of the kettle singing. Not for the last time!

Now Gandalf led the way (теперь Гэндальф шел впереди и показывал дорогу).

“We must not miss the road (мы не должны отступать с тропинки; to miss — промахнуться, промазать, пропустить), or we shall be done for (а то нам всем крышка; to do for smb., smth. — губить, портить), ” he said. “We need food (нам нужна пища), for one thing (прежде всего), and rest in reasonable safety (и отдых в разумной безопасности) — also it is very necessary (также это очень необходимо) to tackle the Misty Mountains by the proper path (подобраться к Мглистым Горам по правильной тропе; totackle — привязывать /tackle — снасти/; /энергично/ браться), or else you will get lost in them (или, в противном случае, вы заблудитесь в них), and have to come back (и /вам/ придется возвращаться) and start at the beginning again (и начинать снова с самого начала) (if you ever get back at all (если вы вообще вернетесь)). ”

They asked him (они спросили его) where he was making for (куда он направлялся; to make for — следовать, двигаться в каком-либо направлении), and he answered (и он ответил): “You are come to the very edge of the Wild (вы добрались до самого края Дикого /Края/), as some of you may know (как некоторые из вас могут знать). Hidden somewhere ahead of us (запрятанная где-то впереди от нас) is the fair valley of Rivendell (лежит красивая долина Ривенделл; fair — честный, благовидный) where Elrond lives (где живет Элронд) in the Last Homely House (в Последнем Домашнем/Уютном Жилище). I sent a message by my friends (я отправил сообщение с моими друзьями), and we are expected (и нас ожидают). ”

That sounded nice and comforting (это звучало очень успокаивающе; nice — хороший, милый, зд.: nice and второе прилагательное — эмоц. — усилительная конструкция), but they had not got there yet (но они еще до туда не добрались), and it was not so easy (и это было не так легко) as it sounds (как это звучало) to find the Last Homely House (отыскать Последнее Домашнее Жилище) west of the Mountains (к западу от Гор). There seemed to be no trees (казалось, что там не было ни деревьев) and no valleys (и ни долин) and no hills (и ни холмов) to break the ground (что нарушали бы целостность земли; to break — ломать, разбивать) in front of them (/лежащей/ перед ними), only one vast slope (только один обширный склон) going slowly up and up (поднимавшийся медленно все выше и выше) to meet the feet of the nearest mountain (чтобы достигнуть: «встретиться с» подножия ближайшей горы), a wide land the colour of heather (широкая земля, цвета вереска) and crumbling rock (и крошащиеся скалы: «трещиноватые породы»), with patches (с кусками земли) and slashes (и прорезями) of grass-green (травяной зелени) and moss-green (и зелени мха) showing where water might be (показывающие, где могла бы быть вода).

reasonable [ˈri: z (ǝ) nǝb (ǝ) l] path [pɑ: Ɵ] wild [waɪld] hidden [hɪdn] heather [ˈheðǝ] crumbling [ˈkrʌmblɪŋ]

Now Gandalf led the way. “We must not miss the road, or we shall be done for, ” he said.

“We need food, for one thing, and rest in reasonable safety — also it is very necessary to tackle the Misty Mountains by the proper path, or else you will get lost in them, and have to come back and start at the beginning again (if you ever get back at all). ”

They asked him where he was making for, and he answered:

“You are come to the very edge of the Wild, as some of you may know. Hidden somewhere ahead of us is the fair valley of Rivendell where Elrond lives in the Last Homely House. I sent a message by my friends, and we are expected. ”

That sounded nice and comforting, but they had not got there yet, and it was not so easy as it sounds to find the Last Homely House west of the Mountains. There seemed to be no trees and no valleys and no hills to break the ground in front of them, only one vast slope going slowly up and up to meet the feet of the nearest mountain, a wide land the colour of heather and crumbling rock, with patches and slashes of grass-green and moss-green showing where water might be.

Morning passed (утро прошло), afternoon came (наступил полдень); but in all the silent waste (но во всей это бесшумной пустоши) there was no sign of any dwelling (не было никаких признаков какого-либо обитания). They were growing anxious (они становились все более тревожными), for they now saw (так как они теперь видели) that the house might be hidden almost anywhere (что дом мог бы быть спрятан почти что в любом месте) between them and the mountains (между ними и горами). They came on unexpected valleys (они выходили на неожиданные долины), narrow with deep sides (узкие, с глубокими склонами), that opened suddenly at their feet (что открывались внезапно у их ног), and they looked down (и они смотрели вниз) surprised to see trees below them (удивленные увидеть /растущие/ ниже их деревья) and running water at the bottom (и бегущие речки: «воду» там, в глубине; bottom — низ, нижняя часть). There were gullies (были там и лощины) that they could almost leap over (которые они могли почти что перепрыгнуть); but very deep (но очень уж глубокие) with waterfalls in them (с водопадами внутри них). There were dark ravines (были там и темные ущелья) that one could neither jump (которые никто не мог бы ни перепрыгнуть) nor climb into (ни взобраться /в них/). There were bogs (были там и трясины), some of them green pleasant places to look at (некоторые из них — зеленые местечки, на которые приятно взглянуть) with flowers growing bright and tall (с цветами ярко и пышно: «высоко» растущими /на них/); but a pony (но тот пони) that walked there with a pack on its back (который прошел бы там, с поклажей на спине) would never have come out again (никогда бы снова не выбрался). It was indeed (на самом деле это была) a much wider land (гораздо более широкая земля) from the ford to the mountains (от брода до гор) than ever you would have guessed (как вы бы могли когда-либо предположить). Bilbo was astonished (Бильбо был удивлен). The only path was marked with white stones (единственная тропинка была размечена белыми камнями) some of which were small (некоторые из которых были маленькие), and others were half covered with moss or heather (а другие были наполовину покрыты мхом или вереском). Altogether it was a very slow business (в целом, это оказалось очень медленным делом) following the track (следовать по этому пути), even guided by Gandalf (даже под руководством Гэндальфа; to guide — быть проводником, направлять), who seemed to know his way about pretty well (который, как казалось, очень хорошо знал свой путь).

dwelling [ˈdwelɪŋ] anxious [ˈæŋkʃǝs] unexpected [ʌnɪkˈspektɪd] waterfall [ˈwɔ: tǝfɔ: l] gully [ˈɡʌlɪ]

Morning passed, afternoon came; but in all the silent waste there was no sign of any dwelling. They were growing anxious, for they now saw that the house might be hidden almost anywhere between them and the mountains. They came on unexpected valleys, narrow with deep sides, that opened suddenly at their feet, and they looked down surprised to see trees below them and running water at the bottom. There were gullies that they could almost leap over; but very deep with waterfalls in them. There were dark ravines that one could neither jump nor climb into. There were bogs, some of them green pleasant places to look at with flowers growing bright and tall; but a pony that walked there with a pack on its back would never have come out again. It was indeed a much wider land from the ford to the mountains than ever you would have guessed. Bilbo was astonished. The only path was marked with white stones some of which were small, and others were half covered with moss or heather. Altogether it was a very slow business following the track, even guided by Gandalf, who seemed to know his way about pretty well.

His head and beard wagged this way and that (его голова и борода мотались из стороны в сторону; this way and that — туда и сюда) as he looked for the stones (когда он высматривал камни), and they followed his head (и они следовали за его головой), but they seemed no nearer to the end of the search (но они, казалось, не были ближе к концу поисков) when the day began to fail (когда день начал клониться к закату; to fail — потерпеть неудачу; слабеть). Tea — time had long gone by (время вечернего чая уже давно прошло), and it seemed supper-time would soon do the same (и, казалось, что время ужина скоро сделает тоже самое). There were moths fluttering about (ночные бабочки трепетали вокруг), and the light became very dim (и свет стал совсем уж тусклым), for the moon had not risen (так как луна еще не взошла). Bilbo’s pony began to stumble (пони Бильбо начал спотыкаться) over roots and stones (на корнях /деревьев/ и камнях; over — через). They came to the edge of a steep fall in the ground (они подошли к краю крутого обрыва; ground — земля, почва) so suddenly (так внезапно) that Gandalf s horse nearly slipped down the slope (что конь Гэндальфа чуть не соскользнул вниз по склону).

“Here it is at last (вот она, наконец-то)!” he called (выкрикнул/позвал он), and the others gathered round him (и другие собрались вокруг него) and looked over the edge (и посмотрели через край /обрыва/). They saw a valley far below (они увидели долину далеко внизу). They could hear the voice of hurrying water (они могли слышать шум: «голос» спешащей воды) in rocky bed (по каменистому ложу; rock — скала, утес) at the bottom (в самом низу /долины/); the scent of trees was in the air (в воздухе витал: «был» запах деревьев); and there was a light (а также был огонь) on the valley-side (на берегу долины) across the water (за рекой).

flutter [ˈflʌtǝ] suddenly [ˈsʌd (ǝ) nlɪ] scent [sent]

His head and beard wagged this way and that as he looked for the stones, and they followed his head, but they seemed no nearer to the end of the search when the day began to fail. Tea-time had long gone by, and it seemed supper — time would soon do the same. There were moths fluttering about, and the light became very dim, for the moon had not risen. Bilbo’s pony began to stumble over roots and stones. They came to the edge of a steep fall in the ground so suddenly that Gandalf s horse nearly slipped down the slope.

Here it is at last!” he called, and the others gathered round him and looked over the edge. They saw a valley far below. They could hear the voice of hurrying water in rocky bed at the bottom; the scent of trees was in the air; and there was a light on the valley-side across the water.

Bilbo never forgot (Бильбо никогда не мог забыть) the way they slithered and slipped in the dusk (то, как они скользили и соскальзывали в сумерках; toslither — скользить; ползти /о рептилиях/) down the steep zig-zag path (вниз, по крутой извилистой тропе; zig-zag — зигзагообразный) into the secret valley of Rivendell (в таинственную долину Ривенделл). The air grew warmer (воздух становился теплее) as they got lower (когда они спускались ниже), and the smell of the pine-trees made him drowsy (и запах сосен нагнал на него сон: «сделал его сонным»), so that every now and again (и так, время от времени) he nodded (он клевал носом; to nod — кивать головой) and nearly fell off (и почти что падал /на землю/), or bumped his nose (или ударялся своим носом) on the pony’s neck (о шею пони). Their spirits rose (их настроение улучшилось; to rise (rose, risen) — восходить, подниматься) as they went down and down (когда они спускались все ниже и ниже). The trees changed to beech and oak (/сосновые/ деревья поменялись на буковые и дубовые), and here was a comfortable feeling in the twilight (и было некое успокаивающее чувство в этих сумерках). The last green had almost faded out of the grass (последний зеленый цвет почти что исчез с травы; to fade — вянуть; выгорать), when they came at length (когда они вышли, наконец; length — длина, расстояние) to an open glade (к открытой прогалине) not far above the banks of the stream (недалеко от берегов речки).

slither [ˈslɪðǝ] zigzag [ˈzɪɡzæɡ] drowsy [ˈdraʋzɪ]

Bilbo never forgot the way they slithered and slipped in the dusk down the steep zig-zag path into the secret valley of Rivendell. The air grew warmer as they got lower, and the smell of the pine-trees made him drowsy, so that every now and again he nodded and nearly fell off, or bumped his nose on the pony’s neck. Their spirits rose as they went down and down. The trees changed to beech and oak, and here was a comfortable feeling in the twilight. The last green had almost faded out of the grass, when they came at length to an open glade not far above the banks of the stream.

“Hmmm (гм)! it smells like elves (пахнет эльфами)!” thought Bilbo (подумал Бильбо), and he looked up at the stars (и он поднял глаза к звездам). They were burning bright and blue (они горели ярким голубым /светом/). Just then there came a burst of song (и как раз тогда раздалась внезапно песня; burst — взрыв, вспышка) like laughter in the trees (как смех, между деревьев):

O! What are you doing (о, что вы делаете),

And where are you going (и куда вы идете)?

Your ponies need shoeing (ваши пони нуждаются в подковах; to shoe — обувать, подбивать)!

The river is flowing (речка течет)!

O! tra-la-la-lally (о, тра-ля-ля-ля-ли)

here down in the valley (здесь, прямо в долине)!

O! What are you seeking (о, что вы ищете),

And where are you making (и куда вы направляетесь)?

The faggots are reeking (вязанки хвороста дымятся),

The bannocks are baking (большие лепешки пекутся)!

O! tril-lil-lil-lolly (о, три-лил-лил-ло-ли)

the valley is jolly (долина чудесна), ha (ха)! ha (ха)!

O! Where are you going (о, куда вы идете)

With beards all a-wagging (с бородами качающимися)?

No knowing (неизвестно), no knowing (неизвестно)

What brings Mister Baggins (что привело Мистера Бэггинса),

And Balin and Dwalin (и Балина и Двалина)

down into the valley (сюда, в долину) in June (в июне) ha (ха)! ha (ха)!

O! Will you be staying (о, останетесь ли вы),

Or will you be flying (или вы умчитесь: «улетите»)?

Your ponies are straying (ваши пони сбились с пути)!

The daylight is dying (и свет дневной угасает; to die — умирать, dying — умирание)!

To fly would be folly (умчаться — будет глупо),

To stay would be jolly (остаться — будет весело)

And listen and hark (и слушать и прислушиваться)

Till the end of the dark (до конца темноты)

to our tune (к нашей мелодии) ha (ха)! ha (ха)!

burning [ˈbǝ: nɪŋ] laughter [ˈlɑ: ftǝ] shoeing [ˈʃu: ɪŋ] faggot [ˈfæɡǝt] bannock

[ˈbænǝk] dying [ˈdaɪɪŋ]

“Hmmm! it smells like elves!” thought Bilbo, and he looked up at the stars. They were burning bright and blue. Just then there came a burst of song like laughter in the trees:

O! What are you doing, And where are you going? Your ponies need shoeing! The river is flowing! O! tra-la-la-lally here down in the valley! O! What are you seeking, And where are you making?The faggots are reeking, The bannocks are baking! O! tril-lil-lil-lolly the valley is jolly, ha! ha! O! Where are you going With beards all a-wagging? No knowing, no knowing What brings Mister Baggins, And Balin and Dwalin down into the valley in June ha! ha! O! Will you be staying, Or will you be flying? Your ponies are straying! The daylight is dying! To fly would be folly, To stay would be jolly And listen and hark Till the end of the dark to our tune ha! ha!

So they laughed and sang in the trees (так кто-то: «они» смеялся и пел в деревьях); and pretty fair nonsense (и довольно порядочную чепуху /несли они/) I daresay (как я полагаю) you think it (вы думаете /об этом/). Not that they would care (не то чтобы им уж было это так важно; to care — заботиться, беспокоиться) they would only laugh all the more (они бы только стали смеяться еще больше) if you told them so (если бы вы сказали им так). They were elves of course (они были эльфами, конечно же). Soon Bilbo caught glimpses of them (вскоре Бильбо мельком увидел их; glimpse — проблеск) as the darkness deepened (пока темнота усиливалась; to deepen — углубляться, делаться глубже; deep — глубокий). He loved elves (ему нравились эльфы), though he seldom met them (хотя он редко встречал их; to meet); but he was a little frightened of them too (но он так же и немного побаивался их). Dwarves don’t get on well with them (гномы не очень-то хорошо ладят с ними). Even decent enough dwarves (даже достаточно порядочные гномы) like Thorin and his friends (как Торин и его друзья) think them foolish (думают, что они глупые) (which is a very foolish thing to think (что очень глупо — думать так)), or get annoyed with them (или раздражаются на них). For some elves tease them (из-за того, что некоторые эльфы дразнят их) and laugh at them (и смеются над ними), and most of all at their beards (и больше всего над их бородами).

“Well, well (ну, вот те и на)!” said a voice (сказал какой-то голос). “Just look (только взгляните)! Bilbo the hobbit on a pony, my dear (хоббит Бильбо верхом на пони, бог ты мой)! Isn’t it delicious (разве это не восхитительно)!”

“Most astonishing wonderful (чрезвычайно изумительно-удивительно)!”

nonsense [ˈnɔns (ǝ) ns] daresay [deǝˈseɪ] delicious [dɪˈlɪʃǝs]

So they laughed and sang in the trees; and pretty fair nonsense I daresay you think it. Not that they would care they would only laugh all the more if you told them so. They were elves of course. Soon Bilbo caught glimpses of them as the darkness deepened. He loved elves, though he seldom met them; but he was a little frightened of them too. Dwarves don’t get on well with them. Even decent enough dwarves like Thorin and his friends think them foolish (which is a very foolish thing to think), or get annoyed with them. For some elves tease them and laugh at them, and most of all at their beards.

“Well, well!” said a voice. “Just look! Bilbo the hobbit on a pony, my dear! Isn’t it delicious!”

“Most astonishing wonderful!”

Then off they went into another song (и затем они затянули другую песню; to go (went, gone) off — зд. разразиться) as ridiculous as the one (такую же смешную = нелепую, как и та) I have written down (которую я записал) in full (полностью). At last one, a tall young fellow (наконец один /из них/, высокий молодой паренек), came out from the trees and bowed to Gandalf and to Thorin (вышел из-за деревьев и поклонился Гэндальфу и Торину).

“Welcome to the valley (добро пожаловать в долину)!” he said.

“Thank you (благодарим)!” said Thorin a bit gruffly (сказал Торин чуть грубовато); but Gandalf was already off his horse (но Гэндальф уже спустился с лошади) and among the elves (и был среди эльфов), talking merrily with them (весело разговаривая с ними).

“You are a little out of your way (вы немного сбились с пути), ” said the elf (сказал эльф): “that is (это так), if you are making for the only path (если вы направляетесь к единственной тропе) across the water (через реку: «воду») and to the house beyond (и к дому за ней). We will set you right (мы направим вас по правильному /пути/), but you had best get on foot (но вам лучше всего спешиться: «встать на ноги»), until you are over the bridge (до тех пор, пока вы не пересечете мост; over — зд. указывает на местоположение по другую сторону чего-либо). Are you going to stay a bit (вы останетесь ненадолго) and sing with us (и попоете с нами), or will you go straight on (или вы сразу пойдете)? Supper is preparing over there (ужин готовится вон там), ” he said. “I can smell the wood-fires (я чувствую запах горящих дров) for the cooking (/что развели/ для приготовления пищи). ”

ridiculous [rɪˈdɪkjʋlǝs] gruffly [ˈɡrʌflɪ] merrily [ˈmerɪlɪ] straight [streɪt]

Then off they went into another song as ridiculous as the one I have written down in full. At last one, a tall young fellow, came out from the trees and bowed to Gandalf and to Thorin. “Welcome to the valley!” he said.