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.

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.

The tunnel seemed to have no end (у туннеля, казалось, не было конца). All he knew was (все, что он знал, было то) that it was still going down pretty steadily (что он все еще вел вниз довольно последовательно; steadily — неизменно, постоянно; steady — устойчивый; прочный, твердый) and keeping in the same direction (и держался в том же самом направлении) in spite of a twist (несмотря на изгиб) and a turn or two (и на один или два поворота). There were passages leading off to the side (несколько проходов уводили в сторону) every now and then (время от времени: «каждые сейчас и тогда»), as he knew by the glimmer of his sword (как он мог видеть: «он знал» в тусклом свете его меча), or could feel with his hand on the wall (или мог чувствовать рукой, которой держался за стену). Of these he took no notice (на них он не обращал никакого внимания), except to hurry past (за исключением того, чтобы проскочить их поскорее) for fear of goblins (боясь гоблинов) or half-imagined dark things coming out of them (или наполовину вымышленных = полуфантастических темных существ, выходящих из них; toimagine—воображать, представлять себе). On and on he went (он шел и шел вперед), and down and down (и все вниз и вниз); and still he heard no sound of anything (и все еще он не слышал ни одного звука /издаваемого хоть кем-то/) except the occasional whirr of a bat by his ears (за исключением редкого шума крыльев летучей мыши у его ушей), which startled him at first (который пугал его поначалу), till it became too frequent (пока он не стал слишком частым) to bother about (чтобы беспокоиться из-за него). I do not know how long he kept on like this (я не знаю, как долго он продолжал двигаться вперед таким образом), hating to go on (не желая идти вперед), not daring to stop (и не осмеливаясь остановиться), on, on (вперед и вперед), until he was tireder than tired (пока он не устал как никогда: «был более уставшим, чем уставшим»).

glimmer [ˈɡlɪmǝ] occasional [ǝˈkeɪʒ (ǝ) nǝl] frequent [ˈfri: kwǝnt]

The tunnel seemed to have no end. All he knew was that it was still going down pretty steadily and keeping in the same direction in spite of a twist and a turn or two. There were passages leading off to the side every now and then, as he knew by the glimmer of his sword, or could feel with his hand on the wall. Of these he took no notice, except to hurry past for fear of goblins or half-imagined dark things coming out of them. On and on he went, and down and down; and still he heard no sound of anything except the occasional whirr of a bat by his ears, which startled him at first, till it became too frequent to bother about. I do not know how long he kept on like this, hating to go on, not daring to stop, on, on, until he was tireder than tired.

It seemed like all the way to tomorrow (казалось, словно весь путь ведет в завтра) and over it (и через завтра) to the days beyond (во все последующие дни; beyond — за, по ту сторону, за пределами; далее). Suddenly without any warning (внезапно, без какого-либо предупреждения) he trotted splash into water (он просеменил и плюхнулся прямо в воду; to splash — брызгать, плескать)! Ugh (бррр)! it was icy cold (она была ледяной; icy — ледяной; ice — лед; cold — холодный). That pulled him up sharp and short (это заставило его затормозить на полном ходу; sharp — острый; крутой; резкий; short — короткий). He did not know (он не знал) whether it was just a pool in the path (была ли это просто лужица по дорожке), or the edge of an underground stream (или край подземного потока) that crossed the passage (что пересекал проход), or the brink of a deep dark subterranean lake (или крутой берег глубокого темного подземного озера). The sword was hardly shining at all (меч едва светил/почти не светил вовсе). He stopped (он остановился), and he could hear (и он мог слышать), when he listened hard (когда он сильно прислушался), drops drip-drip-dripping from an unseen roof (как капельки кап-кап-капали с невидимой крыши) into the water below (в воду внизу); but there seemed no other sort of sound (но больше, как казалось, никакого другого звука не было).

beyond [bɪˈjɔnd] ugh [ʋkh, ǝ:, ʌɡ] icy [ˈaɪsɪ] subterranean [sʌbtǝˈreɪnɪǝn]

It seemed like all the way to tomorrow and over it to the days beyond. Suddenly without any warning he trotted splash into water! Ugh! it was icy cold. That pulled him up sharp and short. He did not know whether it was just a pool in the path, or the edge of an underground stream that crossed the passage, or the brink of a deep dark subterranean lake. The sword was hardly shining at all. He stopped, and he could hear, when he listened hard, drops drip-drip-dripping from an unseen roof into the water below; but there seemed no other sort of sound.

“So it is a pool or a lake (значит, это лужа или озеро), and not an underground river (а не подземная река), ” he thought (думал он). Still he did not dare (и все же он не осмеливался) to wade out into the darkness (начать переходить его вброд, в темноте). He could not swim (он не мог плавать); and he thought, too (он думал также), of nasty slimy things (об отвратительных склизких существах), with big bulging blind eyes (с большими выпученными слепыми глазами), wriggling in the water (извивавшихся в воде; to wriggle). There are strange things living in the pools and lakes (в лужах и озерах живут странные существа) in the hearts of mountains (в глубинных районах гор): fish whose fathers swam in (рыбы, чьи предки нырнули), goodness only knows how many years ago (кто только его знает, как много лет тому назад), and never swam out again (и никогда больше не вынырнули), while their eyes grew bigger and bigger and bigger (в то время, когда их глаза росли все больше и больше и больше) from trying to see in the blackness (из-за попыток рассмотреть в темноте); also there are other things (также есть там и другие существа) more slimy than fish (более склизкие, чем рыбы). Even in the tunnels and caves (даже в тех туннелях и пещерах) the goblins have made for themselves (что гоблины сделали для самих себя) there are other things living unbeknown to them (живут другие существа, неизвестные им) that have sneaked in from outside (которые прокрались внутрь снаружи) to lie up in the dark (чтобы затаиться в темноте). Some of these caves, too (некоторые из этих пещер тоже), go back in their beginnings (берут свое начало) to ages before the goblins (со времен еще до гоблиновских), who only widened them (которые только расширили их) and joined them up with passages (и соединили их проходами), and the original owners are still there in odd corners (а их исконные хозяева все еще находятся там, в дальних/укромных: «странных» уголках), slinking and nosing about (передвигаются крадучись и вынюхивают все вокруг).

underground [ˈʌndǝɡraʋnd] bulging [ˈbʌldʒɪŋ] slimy [ˈslaɪmɪ] unbeknown [ˌʌnbɪˈnǝʋn]

So it is a pool or a lake, and not an underground river, ” he thought. Still he did not dare to wade out into the darkness. He could not swim; and he thought, too, of nasty slimy things, with big bulging blind eyes, wriggling in the water. There are strange things living in the pools and lakes in the hearts of mountains: fish whose fathers swam in, goodness only knows how many years ago, and never swam out again, while their eyes grew bigger and bigger and bigger from trying to see in the blackness; also there are other things more slimy than fish. Even in the tunnels and caves the goblins have made for themselves there are other things living unbeknown to them that have sneaked in from outside to lie up in the dark. Some of these caves, too, go back in their beginnings to ages before the goblins, who only widened them and joined them up with passages, and the original owners are still there in odd corners, slinking and nosing about.

Deep down here (здесь, глубоко внизу) by the dark water (у темной воды) lived old Gollum (жил старый Голлум), a small slimy creature (небольшая склизкая тварь). I don’t know where he came from (я не знаю, откуда он появился), nor who or what he was (ни кем или чем он был). He was Gollum (он был Голлумом) — as dark as darkness (таким же темным, как сама тьма), except for two big round pale eyes (за исключением его двух больших круглых бледных глаз) in his thin face (на его худой физиономии). He had a little boat (у него была маленькая лодчонка), and he rowed about quite quietly on the lake (и он греб на ней довольно тихо по озеру); for lake it was (так как это было озеро), wide and deep and deadly cold (широкое и глубокое и смертельно холодное). He paddled it with large feet (он греб на ней с помощью своих больших ступней) dangling over the side (свободно свисающих через край), but never a ripple did he make (но он никогда не создавал ряби на воде). Not he (только не он). He was looking out of his pale lamp-like eyes (он высматривал своими бледными гляделками: «похожими на светильники глазами»; lamp — лампа, фонарь) for blind fish (слепых рыб), which he grabbed with his long fingers (которых он хватал своими длинными пальцами) as quick as thinking (быстрыми, как мысль). He liked meat too (мясо ему тоже нравилось). Goblin he thought good (он считал гоблинов вкусными), when he could get it (когда он мог добыть его); but he took care they never found him out (но он заботился о том, чтобы они никогда его не обнаружили).

row [rǝʋ] paddle [ˈpædl] dangling [ˈdæŋɡlɪŋ]

Deep down here by the dark water lived old Gollum, a small slimy creature. I don’t know where he came from, nor who or what he was. He was Gollum — as dark as darkness, except for two big round pale eyes in his thin face. He had a little boat, and he rowed about quite quietly on the lake; for lake it was, wide and deep and deadly cold. He paddled it with large feet dangling over the side, but never a ripple did he make. Not he. He was looking out of his pale lamp-like eyes for blind fish, which he grabbed with his long fingers as quick as thinking. He liked meat too. Goblin he thought good, when he could get it; but he took care they never found him out.

He just throttled them from behind (он просто душил их со спины), if they ever came down alone (если они когда-нибудь спускались одни = поодиночке) anywhere near the edge of the water (где-то поблизости от края воды), while he was prowling about (пока он рыскал поблизости). They very seldom did (они очень редко /подходили/), for they had a feeling (так как у них было такое чувство) that something unpleasant was lurking down there (что что-то неприятное пряталось там, внизу), down at the very roots of the mountain (внизу, у самого основания горы; root — корень; основание). They had come on the lake (они вышли на это озеро), when they were tunnelling down long ago (когда они прокладывали туннели, уже очень давно), and they found they could go no further (и они обнаружили, что они не могут придвигаться дальше); so there their road ended in that direction (и тогда их дорога в этом направлении закончилась), and there was no reason to go that way (и не было никакой причины ходить по этому пути) — unless the Great Goblin sent them (если только Великий Гоблин не посылал их). Sometimes he took a fancy for fish from the lake (иногда ему хотелось рыбки из этого озера; fancy — фантазия, прихоть, вкус), and sometimes neither goblin nor fish came back (и иногда ни гоблин, ни рыба не возвращались).

throttle [ˈƟrɔtl] prowl [praʋl] lurking [ˈlǝ: kɪŋ]

He just throttled them from behind, if they ever came down alone anywhere near the edge of the water, while he was prowling about. They very seldom did, for they had a feeling that something unpleasant was lurking down there, down at the very roots of the mountain. They had come on the lake, when they were tunnelling down long ago, and they found they could go no further; so there their road ended in that direction, and there was no reason to go that way — unless the Great Goblin sent them. Sometimes he took a fancy for fish from the lake, and sometimes neither goblin nor fish came back.

Actually Gollum lived on a slimy island of rock (на самом деле, Голлум жил на покрытом слизью скалистом острове) in the middle of the lake (посередине озера). He was watching Bilbo now (теперь он наблюдал за Бильбо) from the distance (с расстояния) with his pale eyes like telescopes (своими бледными глазами, похожими на телескопы). Bilbo could not see him (Бильбо не мог его видеть), but he was wondering a lot about Bilbo (но тот много размышлял о Бильбо), for he could see (так как он видел) that he was no goblin at all (что это был совсем не гоблин).

Gollum got into his boat (Голлум забрался в свою лодку) and shot off from the island (и оттолкнулся от острова; to shoot (shot) — стрелять; бросаться, бежать, мчаться), while Bilbo was sitting on the brink (в то время как Бильбо сидел на крутом берегу) altogether flummoxed (одновременно сбитый с толку) and at the end of his way and his wits (и потерявший свою дорогу и в растерянности; way — путь, wits — ум, разум). Suddenly up came Gollum (внезапно подплыл Голлум) and whispered (и прошептал) and hissed (и прошипел):

“Bless us (честное слово: «благослови нас») and splash us (чтоб мне плюхнуться: «обрызгай нас»), my precioussss (мой драгоценный; precioussss = precious)! I guess it’s a choice feast (я полагаю, что это отборное угощение; feast — пир, банкет); at least a tasty morsel it’d make us, gollum (по меньшей мере, это будет для нас лакомым кусочком, голлум; to make — делать, изготавливать, составлять)!” And when he said gollum (и когда он произнес "голлум") he made a horrible swallowing noise in his throat (он произвел ужасный сглатывающий звук в своем горле). That is how he got his name (вот так он и получил свое имя), though he always called himself ‘my precious’ (хотя он сам всегда называл себя "мой драгоценный").

telescope [ˈtelɪskǝʋp] flummox [ˈflʌmǝks] hiss [hɪs] morsel [ˈmɔ: s (ǝ) l] precious [ˈpreʃǝs]

Actually Gollum lived on a slimy island of rock in the middle of the lake. He was watching Bilbo now from the distance with his pale eyes like telescopes. Bilbo could not see him, but he was wondering a lot about Bilbo, for he could see that he was no goblin at all.

Gollum got into his boat and shot off from the island, while Bilbo was sitting on the brink altogether flummoxed and at the end of his way and his wits. Suddenly up came Gollum and whispered and hissed:

“Bless us and splash us, my precioussss! I guess it’s a choice feast; at least a tasty morsel it’d make us, gollum!” And when he said gollum he made a horrible swallowing noise in his throat. That is how he got his name, though he always called himself ‘my precious. ’

The hobbit jumped nearly out of his skin (хоббит подскочил: «почти что выскочил из своей кожи») when the hiss came in his ears (когда это шипение достигло его ушей), and he suddenly saw the pale eyes (и внезапно он увидел бледные глаза) sticking out at him (уставившиеся на него; to stick — втыкать, вонзать, высовывать).

“Who are you (кто ты такой)?” he said (сказал он), thrusting his dagger in front of him (резко выставив свой кинжал перед собой; to thrust — толкать, совать, наносить удар).

“What iss he, my preciouss (что он такое, мой драгоценный)?” whispered Gollum (прошептал Голлум) (who always spoke to himself (который всегда говорил сам с собой) through never having anyone else to speak to (так как у него не было никого, с кем еще поговорить). This is what he had come to find out (именно за этим он и пришел сюда выяснить), for he was not really very hungry at the moment (так как он не был очень-то голоден в данный момент), only curious (только любопытен); otherwise he would have grabbed first (в противном случае он бы сперва схватил) and whispered afterwards (и только потом прошептал).

“I am Mr. Bilbo Baggins (я мистер Бильбо Бэггинс). I have lost the dwarves (я потерял гномов; to lose) and I have lost the wizard (и я потерял волшебника), and I don’t know where I am (и я не знаю, где я); and I don’t want to know (и я не хочу этого знать), if only I can get away (если я смогу выбраться отсюда). ”

“What’s he got in his handses (что это он держит в своих рукаххх)?” said Gollum (сказал Голлум), looking at the sword (глядя на меч), which he did not quite like (и который ему не очень-то понравился).

“A sword (меч), a blade which came out of Gondolin (клинок, который изготовили в Гондолине; to come out — появляться, приходить)!”

thrusting [ˈƟrʌstɪŋ] curious [ˈkjʋ (ǝ) rɪǝs] whisper [ˈwɪspǝ]

The hobbit jumped nearly out of his skin when the hiss came in his ears, and he suddenly saw the pale eyes sticking out at him. “Who are you?” he said, thrusting his dagger in front of him.

What iss he, my preciouss?” whispered Gollum (who always spoke to himself through never having anyone else to speak to). This is what he had come to find out, for he was not really very hungry at the moment, only curious; otherwise he would have grabbed first and whispered afterwards. “I am Mr. Bilbo Baggins. I have lost the dwarves and I have lost the wizard, and I don’t know where I am; and “I don’t want to know, if only I can get, away. ” “What’s he got in his handses?” said Gollum, looking at the sword, which he did not quite like.

“A sword, a blade which came out of Gondolin!”

“Sssss (ссссс), ” said Gollum, and became quite polite (сказал Голлум, и стал очень вежливым). “Praps ye sits here (возможно ты присядешь здесь; praps = perhaps) and chats with it a bitsy (и поболтаешь с ним чуток), my preciousss (мой драгоценный). It like riddles, praps it does, does it (ему нравятся загадки, возможно нравятся, так ведь)?” He was anxious to appear friendly (ему очень хотелось выглядеть дружелюбным), at any rate for the moment (во всяком случае, в этот момент), and until he found out more about the sword and the hobbit (и до тех пор, пока он не узнает больше об этом мече и о хоббите), whether he was quite alone really (и действительно ли он был совершенно один), whether he was good to eat (и был ли он съедобен: «хорош, чтобы быть съеденным»), and whether Gollum was really hungry (и был ли сам Голлум действительно голоден). Riddles were all he could think of (загадки — вот единственное: «все» о чем он мог подумать = смог придумать). Asking them (загадывать их), and sometimes guessing them (и иногда отгадывать их), had been the only game he had ever played (это была единственная игра, в которую он когда-либо играл) with other funny creatures (с другими забавными существами) sitting in their holes in the long, long ago (сидящими в своих норках очень, очень давно), before he lost all his friends (до того, как он потерял всех своих друзей) and was driven away (и был изгнан; to drive), alone (в одиночестве), and crept down, down, into the dark under the mountains (и заполз вниз, вниз в тьму под горами).

“Very well (очень хорошо), ” said Bilbo, who was anxious to agree (которому очень хотелось согласиться), until he found out more about the creature (до тех пор, пока он не выяснит больше об этом существе), whether he was quite alone (был ли тот действительно совершенно один), whether he was fierce or hungry (и был ли он свирепым или голодным), and whether he was a friend of the goblins (и был ли он другом гоблинов).

polite [pǝˈlaɪt] riddle [ˈrɪdl] anxious [ˈæŋkʃǝs]

Sssss, ” said Gollum, and became quite polite. “Praps ye sits here and chats with it a bitsy, my preciousss. It like riddles, praps it does, does it?” He was anxious to appear friendly, at any rate for the moment, and until he found out more about the sword and the hobbit, whether he was quite alone really, whether he was good to eat, and whether Gollum was really hungry. Riddles were all he could think of. Asking them, and sometimes guessing them, had been the only game he had ever played with other funny creatures sitting in their holes in the long, long ago, before he lost all his friends and was driven away, alone, and crept down, down, into the dark under the mountains. “Very well, ” said Bilbo, who was anxious to agree, until he found out more about the creature, whether he was quite alone, whether he was fierce or hungry, and whether he was a friend of the goblins.

“You ask first (ты загадываешь первым), ” he said, because he had not had time to think of a riddle (потому что у него не было времени подумать о какой—нибудь загадке).

So Gollum hissed (тогда Голлум прошипел):

What has roots as nobody sees (у чего есть корни, которых никто не видит),

Is taller than trees (и выше чем деревья),

Up, up it goes (вверх и вверх оно идет),

And yet never grows (и все же никогда не растет)?

“Easy (легко)!” said Bilbo (сказал Бильбо). “Mountain, I suppose (гора, я полагаю). ”

“Does it guess easy (что, так легко догадаться)? It must have a competition with us (он должен соревноваться с нами), my preciouss (мой драгоценный)! If precious asks (если драгоценный спрашивает), and it doesn’t answer (и тот не отвечает), we eats it (мы съедим его), my preciousss (мой драгоценный). If it asks us (если он спрашивает нас), and we doesn’t answer (и мы не отвечаем), then we does what it wants, eh (тогда мы сделаем то, что он хочет, а)? We shows it the way out, yes (мы покажем ему дорогу отсюда, да)!”

“All right (хорошо)!” said Bilbo, not daring to disagree (не осмеливаясь не согласиться), and nearly bursting his brain (и его мозги чуть не лопнули) to think of riddles (придумывая загадки) that could save him from being eaten (которые могли бы спасти его от /возможности/ быть съеденным).

mountain [ˈmaʋntɪn] competition [kɔmpɪˈtɪʃ (ǝ) n] bursting [ˈbǝ: stɪŋ]

“You ask first, ” he said, because he had not had time to think of a riddle. So Gollum hissed: