String, or nothing!” shrieked Gollum, which was not quite fair-working in two guesses at once.

Both wrong, ” cried Bilbo very much relieved; and he jumped at once to his feet, put his back to the nearest wall, and held out his little sword. He knew, of course, that the riddle-game was sacred and of immense antiquity, and even wicked creatures were afraid to cheat when they played at it. But he felt he could not trust this slimy thing to keep any promise at a pinch. Any excuse would do for him to slide out of it. And after all that last question had not been a genuine riddle according to the ancient laws.

But at any rate (но, в любом случае; rate — норма, размер, ставка) Gollum did not at once attack him (Голлум не набросился на него тут же). He could see the sword in Bilbo’s hand (он видел меч в руке Бильбо). He sat still (он сидел не двигаясь), shivering and whispering (дрожа и шепча). At last Bilbo could wait no longer (наконец, Бильбо уже не мог больше ждать).

“Well (ну)?” he said. “What about your promise (как насчет твоего обещания)? I want to go (я хочу уйти). You must show me the way (ты должен показать мне дорогу). ”

“Did we say so, precious (мы что, так сказали, драгоценный)? Show the nassty little Baggins the way out, yes, yes (показать противному маленькому Бэггинсу дорогу отсюда, да, да). But what has it got in its pocketses, eh (но что у него в его кармашках, а)? Not string, precious, but not nothing (не веревка, драгоценный, но и не ничего). Oh no (о нет)! gollum (голлум)!”

“Never you mind (это тебя не касается), ” said Bilbo. “A promise is a promise (обещание есть обещание). ”

“Cross it is (а он сердитый), impatient (нетерпеливый), precious (драгоценный), ” hissed Gollum (прошипел Голлум). “But it must wait (но он должен подождать), yes it must (да, он должен). We can’t go up the tunnels so hasty (мы не можем отправиться в туннели так поспешно). We must go and get some things first, yes (мы должны пойти и взять кой-какие вещи сперва, да), things to help us (вещи, которые нам помогут). ”

“Well, hurry up (ну, поторопись)!” said Bilbo, relieved to think of Gollum going away (с облегчением подумав, что Голлум уйдет).

attack [ǝˈtæk] promise [ˈprɔmɪs] impatient [ɪmˈpeɪʃ (ǝ) nt]

But at any rate Gollum did not at once attack him. He could see the sword in Bilbo’s hand. He sat still, shivering and whispering. At last Bilbo could wait no longer.

“Well?” he said. “What about your promise? I want to go. You must show me the way. ”

“Did we say so, precious? Show the nassty little Baggins the way out, yes, yes. But what has it got in its pocketses, eh? Not string, precious, but not nothing. Oh no! gollum!”

“Never you mind, ” said Bilbo. “A promise is a promise. ”

“Cross it is, impatient, precious, ” hissed Gollum. “But it must wait, yes it must. We can’t go up the tunnels so hasty. We must go and get some things first, yes, things to help us. ”

Well, hurry up!” said Bilbo, relieved to think of Gollum going away.

He thought (он подумал) he was just making an excuse (что он просто придумал отговорку) and did not mean to come back (и не собирается возвращаться). What was Gollum talking about (о чем таком говорил Голлум)? What useful thing (какие полезные вещи) could he keep out on the dark lake (могут храниться на темном озере)?

But he was wrong (но он ошибался). Gollum did mean to come back (Голлум именно и собирался вернуться). He was angry now and hungry (он теперь был сердитый и голодный).

And he was a miserable wicked creature (и он был несчастным злобным существом), and already he had a plan (и у него уже был план). Not far away was his island (не вдалеке был его остров), of which Bilbo knew nothing (о котором Бильбо ничего не знал), and there in his hiding-place (и там, в своем тайнике: «потайном месте») he kept a few wretched oddments (он хранил несколько несчастных разрозненных предметов), and one very beautiful thing (и одну очень прекрасную вещь), very beautiful (очень прекрасную), very wonderful (очень удивительную). He had a ring (у него было кольцо), a golden ring (золотое кольцо), a precious ring (драгоценное кольцо).

excuse [ɪkˈskju: s] island [ˈaɪlǝnd] oddments [ˈɔdmǝnts]

He thought he was just making an excuse and did not mean to come back. What was Gollum talking about? What useful thing could he keep out on the dark lake?

But he was wrong. Gollum did mean to come back. He was angry now and hungry.

And he was a miserable wicked creature, and already he had a plan. Not far away was his island, of which Bilbo knew nothing, and there in his hiding — place he kept a few wretched oddments, and one very beautiful thing, very beautiful, very wonderful. He had a ring, a golden ring, a precious ring.

“My birthday-present (подарок на мой день рождения)!” he whispered to himself (он шептал сам себе), as he had often done (как он часто делал) in the endless dark days (в эти бесконечные темные дни). “That’s what we wants now, yes (вот что нам сейчас нужно); we wants it (нам оно нужно)!” He wanted it (оно было ему нужно) because it was a ring of power (потому, что это было кольцо власти), and if you slipped that ring on your finger (и если надеть то кольцо на палец), you were invisible (то становишься невидимым); only in the full sunlight could you be seen (только при полном солнечном свете можно

было тебя увидеть), and then only by your shadow (и то только по твоей тени), and that would be shaky and faint (да и та была бы дрожащей и бледной).

“My birthday-present (подарок на мой день рождения)! It came to me on my birthday (оно попало ко мне на мой день рождения), my precious (мой драгоценный), ” So he had always said to himself (так он всегда говорил сам себе). But who knows how Gollum came by that present (но кто знает, как к Голлуму попал этот подарок), ages ago in the old days (давным-давно, в старые дни) when such rings were still at large in the world (когда такие кольца были в большом количестве во всем мире)? Perhaps even the Master who ruled them (возможно, что даже сам Мастер, который повелевал ими; master — хозяин, владелец, господин; to rule — управлять, править) could not have said (не мог бы этого сказать). Gollum used to wear it at first (по началу Голлум носил его постоянно), till it tired him (пока оно его не утомило); and then he kept it in a pouch (и затем он держал его в мешочке) next his skin (рядом с телом: «кожей»), till it galled him (пока он не натер кожу); and now usually he hid it in a hole (и теперь, он обычно прятал его в норе; to hide) in the rock on his island (в горе на его острове), and was always going back to look at it (и всегда возвращался, чтобы взглянуть на него). And still sometimes he put it on (и все же иногда он надевал его), when he could not bear to be parted from it any longer (когда он больше не мог выносить свою разлуку с ним; to part — разделять, отделять; расставаться), or when he was very, very, hungry (или когда он бывал очень, очень голоден), and tired of fish (и ему надоедала рыба).

birthday [ˈbǝ: Ɵd (e) ɪ] present [ˈprez (ǝ) nt] power [ˈpaʋǝ]

My birthday-present!” he whispered to himself, as he had often done in the endless dark days. “That’s what we wants now, yes; we wants it!” He wanted it because it was a ring of power, and if you slipped that ring on your finger, you were invisible; only in the full sunlight could you be seen, and then only by your shadow, and that would be shaky and faint. “My birthday-present! It came to me on my birthday, my precious, ” So he had always said to himself. But who knows how Gollum came by that present, ages ago in the old days when such rings were still at large in the world? Perhaps even the Master who ruled them could not have said. Gollum used to wear it at first, till it tired him; and then he kept it in a pouch next his skin, till it galled him; and now usually he hid it in a hole in the rock on his island, and was always going back to look at it. And still sometimes he put it on, when he could not bear to be parted from it any longer, or when he was very, very, hungry, and tired of fish.

Then he would creep along dark passages (тогда он прокрадывался по темным проходам) looking for stray goblins (выискивая заблудившихся гоблинов). He might even venture into places (он даже отваживался /пробраться/ в те места) where the torches were lit (где были зажжены факелы) and made his eyes blink and smart (они /их свет/ ослепляли его глаза и щипали их; to smart — причинять жгучую боль); for he would be safe (так как он оставался в безопасности). Oh yes, quite safe (о да, совершенно в безопасности). No one would see him (никто не видел его), no one would notice him (никто не замечал его), till he had his fingers on their throat (до тех самых пор, пока его пальцы не оказывались на их горле). Only a few hours ago he had worn it (всего несколько часов назад он носил его = имел надетым на палец; to wear (wore, worn) — носить, иметь надетым), and caught a small goblin-imp (и поймал маленького бесенка-гоблина). How it squeaked (как он визжал)! He still had a bone or two left to gnaw (у него все еще осталась пара косточек, которые он мог поглодать), but he wanted something softer (но ему хотелось чего-то помягче).

“Quite safe, yes (совершенно в безопасности, да), ” he whispered to himself (прошептал он себе). “It won’t see us, will it, my precious (он не увидит нас, не так ли, мой драгоценный)? No (нет). It won’t see us (он не увидит нас), and its nassty little sword (и его противный маленький меч) will be useless (будет бесполезным), yes quite (да, совершенно). ”

creep [kri: p] venture [ˈventʃǝ] torch [tɔ: tʃ] imp [ɪmp] useless [ˈju: slɪs]

Then he would creep along dark passages looking for stray goblins. He might even venture into places where the torches were lit and made his eyes blink and smart; for he would be safe. Oh yes, quite safe. No one would see him, no one would notice him, till he had his fingers on their throat. Only a few hours ago he had worn it, and caught a small goblin-imp. How it squeaked! He still had a bone or two left to gnaw, but he wanted something softer.

“Quite safe, yes, ” he whispered to himself. “It won’t see us, will it, my precious? No. It won’t see us, and its nassty little sword will be useless, yes quite. ”

That is what was in his wicked little mind (вот что было в его злобном маленьком умишке), as he slipped suddenly from Bilbo’s side (когда он внезапно ускользнул от Бильбо), and flapped back to his boat (и спустился назад, в свою лодку), and went off into the dark (и удалился в темноту). Bilbo thought he had heard the last of him (Бильбо подумал, что только он его и видел: «что он слышал о нем в последний раз»). Still he waited a while (все же он подождал чуть-чуть); for he had no idea (так как он не имел ни малейшего представления) how to find his way out alone (как ему найти выход самостоятельно).

Suddenly he heard a screech (внезапно он услышал визгливый крик). It sent a shiver down his back (от него дрожь пробежала /вниз/ по его спине). Gollum was cursing (Голлум ругался; to curse) and wailing away in the gloom (и завывал в темноте), not very far off (и не очень-то далеко) by the sound of it (судя по /этим/ звукам). He was on his island (он был на своем острове), scrabbling here and there (рылся здесь и там; to scrabble), searching and seeking

in vain (разыскивая и пытаясь найти /кольцо/ — и все напрасно).

“Where is it (где оно)? Where iss it (где оно)?” Bilbo heard him crying (Бильбо слышал, как тот кричит). “Losst it is, my precious, lost, lost (потеряно, мой драгоценный, потеряно, потеряно)! Curse us and crush us (черт нас побери и чтоб нам лопнуть; to crush — давить, мять), my precious is lost (мой драгоценный, оно потеряно)!”

“What’s the matter (в чем дело)?” Bilbo called (позвал/выкрикнул Бильбо). “What have you lost (что ты потерял; to lose)?”

“It mustn’t ask us (он не должен спрашивать нас), ” shrieked Gollum (завопил Голлум). “Not its business, no, gollum (это не его дело, нет, голлум)! It’s losst, gollum, gollum, gollum (оно потеряно, голлум, голлум, голлум). ”

heard [hǝ: d] alone [ǝˈlǝʋn] screech [skri: tʃ]

That is what was in his wicked little mind, as he slipped suddenly from Bilbo’s side, and flapped back to his boat, and went off into the dark. Bilbo thought he had heard the last of him. Still he waited a while; for he had no idea how to find his way out alone.

Suddenly he heard a screech. It sent a shiver down his back. Gollum was cursing and wailing away in the gloom, not very far off by the sound of it. He was on his island, scrabbling here and there, searching and seeking in vain.

“Where is it? Where iss it?” Bilbo heard him crying. “Losst it is, my precious, lost, lost! Curse us and crush us, my precious is lost!”

“What’s the matter?” Bilbo called. “What have you lost?”

“It mustn’t ask us, ” shrieked Gollum. “Not its business, no, gollum! It’s losst, gollum, gollum, gollum. ”

“Well, so am I (ну, и я тоже /потерялся/), ” cried Bilbo (закричал Бильбо), “and I want to get unlost (и я хочу найтись: «стать непотерянным»). And I won the game (и я выиграл эту игру; to win), and you promised (и ты обещал). So come along (и значит, иди сюда)! Come and let me out (иди, и выпусти меня), and then go on with your looking (и потом продолжай свои поиски)!”

Utterly miserable as Gollum sounded (хотя /вопли/ Голлума и звучали совершенно несчастными), Bilbo could not find much pity in his heart (Бильбо не мог найти много сострадания в своем сердце), and he had a feeling (и у него было такое чувство) that anything Gollum wanted so much (то все, чего бы ни хотел Голлум так сильно) could hardly be something good (вряд ли могло бы быть чем-то хорошим).

“Come along (пойдем)!” he shouted (закричал он).

“No, not yet, precious (нет, не сейчас, драгоценный)!” Gollum answered (ответил Голлум). “We must search for it, it’s lost, gollum (мы должны искать его, оно потеряно, голлум). ”

“But you never guessed my last question (но ты же так и не отгадал мою последнюю загадку; question — вопрос), and you promised (и ты обещал), ” said Bilbo.

“Never guessed (не угадал)!” said Gollum. Then suddenly out of the gloom (затем внезапно, из темноты) came a sharp hiss (раздался резких свист).

“What has it got in its pocketses (что у него в его кармашках)? Tell us that (скажи нам это). It must tell first (он должен сначала сказать). ” As far as Bilbo knew (насколько было известно Бильбо), there was no particular reason (не было никакой особой причины) why he should not tell (почему бы ему и не сказать). Gollum’s mind had jumped to a guess quicker than his (умишко Голлума сделал такое предположение быстрее, чем ум /Бильбо/; to jump — прыгать); naturally, for Gollum had brooded for ages on this one thing (естественно, так как Голлум предавался размышлениям об этой одно вещи долгие годы), and he was always afraid of its being stolen (и он всегда боялся, что ее украдут; to steal (stole, stolen)). But Bilbo was annoyed at the delay (но Бильбо уже раздражала задержка). After all, he had won the game (в конце концов, он ведь выиграл игру), pretty fairly (довольно честно), at a horrible risk (и с ужасным риском).

“Answers were to be guessed not given (ответы надо было угадать, а не получить), ” he said.

along [ǝˈlɔŋ] utterly [ˈʌtǝlɪ] particular [pǝˈtɪkjʋlǝ]

“Well, so am I, ” cried Bilbo, “and I want to get unlost. And I won the game, and you promised. So come along! Come and let me out, and then go on with your looking!”