And Bilbo? He could not get into any tree, and was scuttling about from trunk to trunk, like a rabbit that has lost its hole and has a dog after it.

You’ve left the burglar behind again!” said Nori to Dori looking down.

“I can’t be always carrying burglars on my back, ” said Dori, “down tunnels and up trees! What do you think I am? A porter?”

He’ll be eaten if we don’t ‘do something, ” said Thorin, for there were howls all around them now, getting nearer and nearer.

“Dori!” he called, for Dori was lowest down in the easiest tree, “be quick, and give Mr. Baggins a hand up!”

Dori was really a decent fellow in spite of his grumbling. Poor Bilbo could not reach his hand even when he climbed down to the bottom branch and hung his arm down as far as ever he could. So Dori actually climbed out of the tree and let Bilbo scramble up and stand on his back. Just at that moment the wolves trotted howling into the clearing. All of a sudden there were hundreds of eyes looking at them. Still Dori did not let Bilbo down. He waited till he had clambered off his shoulders into the branches, and then he jumped for the branches himself. Only just in time!

A wolf snapped at his cloak (волк схватил его за плащ) as he swung up (когда тот прыгнул; to swing (swung) — качаться, подвешивать), and nearly got him (и чуть не схватил его). In a minute there was a whole pack of them (через мгновение там уже была целая стая) yelping all round the tree (потявкивая вокруг дерева) and leaping up at the trunk (и запрыгивали на ствол /дерева/), with eyes blazing (их глаза пылали; to blaze — ореть ярким пламенем; сверкать, сиять, блистать) and tongues hanging out (и языки свешивались /из пастей/). But even the wild Wargs (но даже дикие Варги) (for so the evil wolves (так как так злые волки) over the Edge of the Wild (за Гранью Дикого Края) were named (назывались)) cannot climb trees (не могут взбираться по деревьям). For a time they were safe (на какое-то время они были в безопасности). Luckily it was warm and not windy (к счастью, погода была теплая и безветреная). Trees are not very comfortable to sit in for long (деревья не очень-то удобны для сидения на них) at any time (в любое время); but in the cold and the wind (но в холода и при ветре), with wolves all round below waiting for you (когда волки вокруг внизу ожидают тебя), they can be perfectly miserable places (они могут быть действительно отвратительными местами).

blazing [ˈbleɪzɪŋ] tongue [tʌŋ] miserable [ˈmɪz (ǝ) rǝb (ǝ) l]

A wolf snapped — at his cloak as he swung up, and nearly got him. In a minute there was a whole pack of them yelping all round the tree and leaping up at the trunk, with eyes blazing and tongues hanging out. But even the wild Wargs (for so the evil wolves over the Edge of the Wild were named) cannot climb trees. For a time they were safe. Luckily it was warm and not windy. Trees are not very comfortable to sit in for long at any time; but in the cold and the wind, with wolves all round below waiting for you, they can be perfectly miserable places.

This glade in the ring of trees (эта прогалина в окружении деревьев) was evidently a meeting-place of the wolves (была, очевидно, местом встреч для волков). More and more kept coming in (все больше и больше /волков/ продолжало приходить). They left guards at the foot of the tree (они оставили стражей у основания дерева) in which Dori and Bilbo were (на котором были Дори и Бильбо), and then went sniffling about (и затем отправились, водя носами; to sniffle — сопеть, хлюпать носом) till they had smelt out every tree (пока они не обнаружили по запаху каждое дерево) that had anyone in it (на котором было по /гному/). These they guarded too (у этих /деревьев/ они также выставили охрану), while all the rest (пока все остальные) (hundreds and hundreds it seemed (сотни и сотни, как казалось) went and sat in a great circle in the glade (пошли и уселись в огромный круг на прогалине); and in the middle of the circle (и в середине этого круга) was a great grey wolf (находился огромный серый волк). He spoke to them in the dreadful language of the Wargs (он разговаривал с ними на ужасном языке Варгов). Gandalf understood it (Гэндальф понимал его; to understand). Bilbo did not (Бильбо не понимал), but it sounded terrible to him (но он звучал для него ужасно), and as if all their talk (и /ему казалось/, словно весь их разговор) was about cruel and wicked things (был о жестоких и злобных вещах), as it was (каким он и был). Every now and then (время от времени) all the Wargs in the circle (все Варги, сидевшие в кругу) would answer their grey chief all together (отвечали своему серому вождю все вместе), and their dreadful clamour (и их ужасные крики) almost made the hobbit fall out of his pine-tree (почти что свалили хоббита с сосны).

guard [ɡɑ: d] sniffle [ˈsnɪf (ǝ) l] hundred [ˈhʌndrǝd] circle [ˈsǝ: k (ǝ) l] clamour [ˈklæmǝ]

This glade in the ring of trees was evidently a meeting-place of the wolves. More and more kept coming in. They left guards at the foot of the tree in which Dori and Bilbo were, and then went sniffling about till they had smelt out every tree that had anyone in it. These they guarded too, while all the rest (hundreds and hundreds it seemed) went and sat in a great circle in the glade; and in the middle of the circle was a great grey wolf. He spoke to them in the dreadful language of the Wargs. Gandalf understood it. Bilbo did not, but it sounded terrible to him, and as if all their talk was about cruel and wicked things, as it was. Every now and then all the Wargs in the circle would answer their grey chief all together, and their dreadful clamour almost made the hobbit fall out of his pine-tree.

I will tell you what Gandalf heard (я расскажу вам, что услышал Гэндальф), though Bilbo did not understand it (хотя Бильбо и не понял этого). The Wargs and the goblins (Варги и гоблины) often helped one another (часто помогали друг другу) in wicked deeds (в злобных проделках). Goblins do not usually venture very far from their mountains (гоблины обычно не отваживаются отправляться очень далеко от своих гор), unless they are driven out (если только их не изгоняют) and are looking for new homes (и они не вынуждены искать новые жилища), or are marching to war (или не маршируют на войну) (which I am glad to say has not happened for a long while (которой, как я рад сообщить, не случалось уже долгое время)). But in those days (но в те дни) they sometimes used to go on raids (они иногда, бывало, совершали набеги), especially to get food (особенно, чтобы добыть пищи) or slaves to work for them (или рабов, чтобы те работали на них). Then they often got the Wargs to help (тогда они часто призывали Варгов на помощь) and shared the plunder with them (и делили добычу с ними). Sometimes they rode on wolves (иногда они передвигались верхом на волках; to ride — скакать, ехать верхом) like men do on horses (как люди на лошадях). Now it seemed (теперь, как оказалось) that a great goblin-raid had been planned for that very night (что грандиозный гоблиновский налет был запланирован на эту самую ночь). The Wargs had come to meet the goblins (Варги пришли, чтобы встретить гоблинов) and the goblins were late (а гоблины опоздали). The reason, no doubt, was the death of the Great Goblin (причиной, без сомнения, была смерть Великого Гоблина), and all the excitement caused by the dwarves (и все те волнения, вызванные гномами) and Bilbo and the wizard (и Бильбо, и волшебником), for whom they were probably still hunting (которых они, возможно, все еще разыскивали; to hunt — охотиться, ловить).

raid [reɪd] slave [sleɪv] cause [kɔ: z]

I will tell you what Gandalf heard, though Bilbo did not understand it. The Wargs and the goblins often helped one another in wicked deeds. Goblins do not usually venture very far from their mountains, unless they are driven out and are looking for new homes, or are marching to war (which I am glad to say has not happened for a long while). But in those days they sometimes used to go on raids, especially to get food or slaves to work for them. Then they often got the Wargs to help and shared the plunder with them. Sometimes they rode on wolves like men do on horses. Now it seemed that a great goblin — raid had been planned for that very night. The Wargs had come to meet the goblins and the goblins were late. The reason, no doubt, was the death of the Great Goblin, and all the excitement caused by the dwarves and Bilbo and the wizard, for whom they were probably still hunting.

In spite of the dangers (несмотря на опасности) of this far land (этой далекой земли) bold men had of late been making their way back into it (храбрые люди, в последнее время, начинали возвращаться на нее) from the South (с Юга), cutting down trees (вырубая леса), and building themselves places to live in (и строя себе дома для жилья) among the more pleasant woods in the valleys (среди более приятных лесов в долинах) and along the river-shores (и вдоль берегов рек). There were many of them (их было много), and they were brave and well-armed (и они были смелыми и хорошо вооруженными), and even the Wargs dared not attack them (и даже Варги не осмеливались нападать на них) if there were many together (если их было много /вместе/), or in the bright day (или среди бела дня: «или в яркий день»). But now they had planned (но теперь они запланировали) with the goblins’ help (с помощью гоблинов) to come by night upon some of the villages (напасть под покровом ночи на несколько деревень) nearest the mountains (которые располагались ближе всего к горам). If their plan had been carried out (если бы их план удался; to carry out — доводить до конца, выполнять), there would have been none left there next day (то ни одной бы не осталось к следующему дню); all would have been killed (все были бы убиты) except the few (за исключением нескольких /человек/) the goblins kept from the wolves (которых гоблины бы спрятали от волков) and carried back as prisoners to their caves (и увели назад, в качестве пленников в свои пещеры).

village [ˈvɪlɪdʒ] well-armed [welˈɑ: md] prisoner [ˈprɪz (ǝ) nǝ]

In spite of the dangers of this far land bold men had of late been making their way back into it from the South, cutting down trees, and building themselves places to live in among the more pleasant woods in the valleys and along the river-shores. There were many of them, and they were brave and well-armed, and even the Wargs dared not attack them if there were many together, or in the bright day. But now they had planned with the goblins’ help to come by night upon some of the villages nearest the mountains. If their plan had been carried out, there would have been none left there next day; all would have been killed except the few the goblins kept from the wolves and carried back as prisoners to their caves.

This was dreadful talk to listen to (это был ужасный разговор, и его ужасно было слушать), not only because of the brave woodmen (и не только из-за храбрых лесорубов) and their wives and children (и их жен и детей), but also because of the danger (но также и из-за опасности) which now threatened Gandalf and his friends (которая теперь угрожала Гэндальфу и его друзьям). The Wargs were angry and puzzled (Варги были рассержены и сбиты с толку) at finding them here in their very meeting-place (обнаружив их здесь, на самом месте их собраний). They thought they were friends of the woodmen (они подумали, что те были друзьями лесорубов), and were come to spy on them (и пришли, чтобы шпионить за ними), and would take news of their plans down into the valleys (и донести новости об их планах назад, в долины), and then the goblins and the wolves would have to fight a terrible battle (и тогда гоблинам и волкам придется сражаться в ужасной битве) instead of capturing prisoners (вместе того, чтобы захватить пленников) and devouring people (и сожрать людей) waked suddenly from their sleep (разбуженных внезапно ото сна). So the Wargs had no intention of going away (итак, у Варгов не было ни малейшего намерения уйти) and letting the people up the trees escape (и позволить этим людям на деревьях сбежать), at any rate not until morning (в любом случае, до наступления утра). And long before that (и задолго до этого), they said (сказали они), goblin soldiers would be coming down from the mountains (солдаты гоблинов спустятся с гор); and goblins can climb trees (а гоблины могут лазить по деревьям), or cut them down (или срубить их). Now you can understand why Gandalf (теперь вам понятно, почему Гэндальфу), listening to their growling and yelping (слушавшему их рычание и тявканье), began to be dreadfully afraid (стало ужасно страшно), wizard though he was (хотя он и был волшебником), and to feel that they were in a very bad place (и /начал/ чувствовать, что они оказались в очень плохом месте), and had not yet escaped at all (и им еще вовсе не удалось избежать /опасности/).

woodman [ˈwʋdmǝn] threatened [ˈƟretnd] climb [klaɪm] yelping [ˈjelpɪŋ]

This was dreadful talk to listen to, not only because of the brave woodmen and their wives and children, but also because of the danger which now threatened Gandalf and his friends. The Wargs were angry and puzzled at finding them here in their very meeting-place. They thought they were friends of the woodmen, and were come to spy on them, and would take news of their plans down into the valleys, and then the goblins and the wolves would have to fight a terrible battle instead of capturing prisoners and devouring people waked suddenly from their sleep. So the Wargs had no intention of going away and letting the people up the trees escape, at any rate not until morning. And long before that, they said, goblin soldiers would be coming down from the mountains; and goblins can climb trees, or cut them down. Now you can understand why Gandalf, listening to their growling and yelping, began to be dreadfully afraid, wizard though he was, and to feel that they were in a very bad place, and had not yet escaped at all.

All the same (тем не менее) he was not going to let them have it all their own way (он не собирался позволить им поступать, как им захочется: «иметь это полностью их собственным путем/способом»), though he could not do very much (хотя он и не мог сделать многое) stuck up in a tall tree (застряв на высоком дереве) with wolves all round on the ground below (с волками, окружившими /его/ на земле внизу). He gathered the huge pinecones (он собрал огромные сосновые шишки) from the branches of his tree (с веток /своего/ дерева). Then he set one alight with bright blue fire (затем он зажег одну ярким синим огнем; alight — горящий), and threw it whizzing down (и бросил ее со свистом вниз; to whiz (z) — просвистеть; проноситься со свистом) among the circle of the wolves (в круг волков). It struck one on the back (она ударила одного по спине; to strike), and immediately his shaggy coat caught fire (и немедленно его косматая шкура запылала: «подхватила огонь»; to catch fire — загореться), and he was leaping to and fro (и он стал прыгать взад и вперед: «сюда и обратно») yelping horribly (ужасно скуля). Then another came and another (затем последовала другая, и еще одна), one in blue flames (одна синего пламени), one in red (одна красного), another in green (другая зеленого). They burst on the ground (они разрывались на земле) in the middle of the circle (в середине круга) and went off in coloured sparks and smoke (и разлетались цветными искрами и дымом). A specially large one (особенно большая шишка) hit the chief wolf on the nose (ударила вожака: «главного волка» по носу), and he leaped in the air ten feet (и он подскочил в воздух на десять футов), and then rushed round and round the circle (и затем бросился /кругом и кругом/ по кругу) biting and snapping even at the other wolves (кусая и хватая даже других волков) in his anger and fright (в ярости и испуге).

pine cone [ˈpaɪnkǝʋn] immediately [ɪˈmi: dɪǝtlɪ] coloured [ˈkʌlǝd]

All the same he was not going to let them have it all their own way, though he could not do very much stuck up in a tall tree with wolves all round on the ground below. He gathered the huge pinecones from the branches of his tree. Then he set one alight with bright blue fire, and threw it whizzing down among the circle of the wolves. It struck one on the back, and immediately his shaggy coat caught fire, and he was leaping to and fro yelping horribly. Then another came and another, one in blue flames, one in red, another in green. They burst on the ground in the middle of the circle and went off in coloured sparks and smoke. A specially large one hit the chief wolf on the nose, and he leaped in the air ten feet, and then rushed round and round the circle biting and snapping even at the other wolves in his anger and fright.

The dwarves and Bilbo shouted and cheered (гномы и Бильбо закричали и обрадовались). The rage of the wolves was terrible to see (на ярость волков было ужасно смотреть), and the commotion they made filled all the forest (и то беспокойство, что они создали, наполнило весь лес). Wolves are afraid of fire (волки боятся огня) at all times (в любое время), but this was a most horrible and uncanny fire (но это был самый ужасный и жуткий огонь). If a spark got in their coats (если искра попадала на их шкуры) it stuck (она впивалась /в нее/) and burned into them (и жгла их), and unless they rolled over quick (и если им не удавалось быстро перекатиться) they were soon all in flames (то вскоре они полностью были в пламени). Very soon (очень скоро) all about the glade (по всей поляне) wolves were rolling over and over (волки перекатывались и перекатывались) to put out the sparks (чтобы избавиться от искр) on their backs (на своих спинах), while those that were burning (пока те, что горели) were running about (бегали бесцельно вокруг) howling and setting others alight (завывая и поджигая других), till their own friends chased them away (до тех самых пор, пока их собственные друзья не выгоняли их; to chase — гнаться, преследовать; охотиться; выгонять) and they fled off down the slopes (и они не спасались бегством вниз по склонам; to flee — убегать, спасаться бегством) crying and yammering (вопя и стеная) and looking for water (и разыскивая воду).

“What’s all this uproar in the forest tonight (что означает весь этот гвалт в лесу этой ночью)?” said the Lord of the Eagles (сказал Повелитель Орлов). He was sitting, black in the moonlight (он сидел, черный в лунном свете), on the top of a lonely pinnacle of rock (на вершине одинокой остроконечной скалы) at the eastern edge of the mountains (на восточном краю гор). “I hear wolves’ voices (я слышу голоса волков)! Are the goblins at mischief in the woods (что, гоблины безобразничают в лесах)?”

cheer [tʃɪǝ] commotion [kǝˈmǝʋʃ (ǝ) n] yammer [ˈjæmǝ] mischief [ˈmɪstʃɪf]

The dwarves and Bilbo shouted and cheered. The rage of the wolves was terrible to see, and the commotion they made filled all the forest. Wolves are afraid of fire at all times, but this was a most horrible and uncanny fire. If a spark got in their coats it stuck and burned into them, and unless they rolled over quick they were soon all in flames. Very soon all about the glade wolves were rolling over and over to put out the sparks on their backs, while those that were burning were running about howling and setting others alight, till their own friends chased them away and they fled off down the slopes crying and yammering and looking for water.

“What’s all this uproar in the forest tonight?” said the Lord of the Eagles. He was sitting, black in the moonlight, on the top of a lonely pinnacle of rock at the eastern edge of the mountains. “I hear wolves’ voices! Are the goblins at mischief in the woods?”

He swept up into the air (он устремился вверх, в небо: «воздух»), and immediately two of his guards (и немедленно же двое его стражников) from the rocks at either hand (со скал, с каждой стороны) leaped up to follow him (подпрыгнули вверх, чтобы последовать за ним). They circled up in the sky (они кружили в небе) and looked down upon the ring of the Wargs (и смотрели вниз, на кольцо Варгов), a tiny spot far far below (крошечную точку далеко, далеко внизу). But eagles have keen eyes (но у орлов очень острое зрение) and can see small things (и они могут видеть маленькие предметы) at a great distance (с большого расстояния). The lord of the eagles of the Misty Mountains (у Властелина Орлов Мглистых Гор) had eyes that could look at the sun unblinking (были такие глаза, что он мог смотреть на солнце, не моргая; to blink — моргать), and could see a rabbit moving on the ground (и мог увидеть зайца, двигающегося по земле) a mile below (с расстояния в милю /внизу/) even in the moonlight (даже при лунном свете). So though he could not see the people in the trees (поэтому, хотя он и не мог видеть людей на деревьях), he could make out the commotion among the wolves (он мог разобрать/разглядеть волнение среди волков) and see the tiny flashes of fire (и увидеть крошечные вспышки пламени), and hear the howling and yelping (и слышал вопли и завывания) come up faint from far beneath him (доносящиеся слабо откуда-то далеко под ним). Also he could see the glint of the moon (так же он мог видеть блеск луны) on goblin spears and helmets (на копьях и шлемах гоблинах), as long lines of the wicked folk crept down the hillsides (тогда как длинные цепочки злобных людишек ползли вниз по склонам холмов) from their gate (из своих ворот) and wound into the wood (и /извиваясь/ двигались в лес; to wind — наматывать (ся); обматывать (ся), обвивать (ся)).

distance [ˈdɪst (ǝ) ns] unblinking [ʌnˈblɪŋkɪŋ] spear [spɪǝ] helmet [ˈhelmɪt]

He swept up into the air, and immediately two of his guards from the rocks at either hand leaped up to follow him. They circled up in the sky and looked down upon the ring of the Wargs, a tiny spot far far below. But eagles have keen eyes and can see small things at a great distance. The lord of the eagles of the Misty Mountains had eyes that could look at the sun unblinking, and could see a rabbit moving on the ground a mile below even in the moonlight. So though he could not see the people in the trees, he could make out the commotion among the wolves and see the tiny flashes of fire, and hear the howling and yelping come up faint from far beneath him. Also he could see the glint of the moon on goblin spears and helmets, as long lines of the wicked folk crept down the hillsides from their gate and wound into the wood.

Eagles are not kindly birds (орлы не добренькие птицы). Some are cowardly and cruel (некоторые из них — трусливые и жестокие). But the ancient race (но древний род /орлов/) of the northern mountains (из северных гор) were the greatest of all birds (был величайшим из всех /родов/ птиц); they were proud (они были гордыми) and strong (и сильными) and noble-hearted (и благородными: «с благородным сердцем»). They did not love goblins (им не нравились гоблины), or fear them (и они не боялись их). When they took any notice of them at all (когда они вообще замечали их) (which was seldom (что случалось редко), for they did not eat such creatures (потому как они не едят таких существ)), they swooped on them (они внезапно налетали на них) and drove them shrieking back to their caves (и гнали их с криками назад, к их пещерам), and stopped whatever wickedness they were doing (и пресекали любые злодеяния, которые те делали; wicked — злой; wickedness — злая выходка, злой поступок). The goblins hated the eagles (гоблины ненавидели орлов) and feared them (и боялись их), but could not reach their lofty seats (но не могли добраться до их высоких гнезд;lofty — очень высокий /не о людях/: lofty mountains — высокие горы; seat — сиденье; место), or drive them from the mountains (или изгнать их из гор).

cowardly [ˈkaʋǝdlɪ] creature [ˈkri: tʃǝ] hate [heɪt] fear [fɪǝ]

Eagles are not kindly birds. Some are cowardly and cruel. But the ancient race of the northern mountains were the greatest of all birds; they were proud and strong and noble-hearted. They did not love goblins, or fear them. When they took any notice of them at all (which was seldom, for they did not eat such creatures), they swooped on them and drove them shrieking back to their caves, and stopped whatever wickedness they were doing. The goblins hated the eagles and feared them, but could not reach their lofty seats, or drive them from the mountains.

Tonight the Lord of the Eagles was filled with curiosity (сегодня ночью Повелитель Орлов был переполнен любопытством) to know what was afoot (и хотел знать, что же затевалось; afoot — в движении, в действии); so he summoned many other eagles to him (и тогда он призвал много других орлов к себе), and they flew away from the mountains (и они слетели с гор; to fly (flew, flown) — летать), and slowly circling ever round and round (и медленно кружась) they came down, down, down (они опускались вниз, вниз, вниз) towards the ring of the wolves (по направлению к кольцу волков) and the meeting-place of the goblins (и месту встречи с гоблинами).

A very good thing too (это тоже было очень хорошим делом)! Dreadful things had been going on down there (ужасные вещи свершались там внизу). The wolves that had caught fire (те волки, что загорелись) and fled into the forest (и убежали в лес) had set it alight in several places (подожгли его в нескольких местах). It was high summer (стояла середина лета; high summer — разгар лета: «высокое лето»), and on this eastern side of the mountains (и на восточной стороне гор) there had been little rain for some time (некоторое время было мало дождей). Yellowing bracken (желтеющие папоротники), fallen branches (опавшие ветви), deep-piled pine-needles (высокие кучи сосновых иголок; deep — глубокий, широкий), and here and there dead trees (здесь и там сухие деревья; dead — мертвый), were soon in flames (вскоре были /объяты/ пламенем). All round the clearing of the Wargs (везде вокруг прогалины Варгов) fire was leaping (прыгал огонь).

curiosity [kjʋ (ǝ) rɪˈɔsɪtɪ] alight [ǝˈlaɪt] caught [kɔ: t]

Tonight the Lord of the Eagles was filled with curiosity to know what was afoot; so he summoned many other eagles to him, and they flew away from the mountains, and slowly circling ever round and round they came down, down, down towards the ring of the wolves and the meeting-place of the goblins. A very good thing too! Dreadful things had been going on down there. The wolves that had caught fire and fled into the forest had set it alight in several places. It was high summer, and on this eastern side of the mountains there had been little rain for some time. Yellowing bracken, fallen branches, deep-piled pine-needles, and here and there dead trees, were soon in flames. All round the clearing of the Wargs fire was leaping.

But the wolf-guards did not leave the trees (но волки-стражники не покидали деревья). Maddened and angry (обезумевшие и рассерженные) they were leaping and howling round the trunks (они подпрыгивали и завывали вокруг стволов деревьев), and cursing the dwarves (и проклинали гоблинов) in their horrible language (на своем ужасном языке), with their tongues hanging out (их языки /были при этом/ высунуты), and their eyes shining as red and fierce as the flames (и их глаза светились таким же красным /светом/ и такой же свирепостью, как и пламя). Then suddenly goblins came running up yelling (затем внезапно появились гоблины, которые бежали и пронзительно кричали). They thought a battle with the woodmen was going on (они думали, что идет битва с лесорубами); but they soon learned what had really happened (но они вскоре поняли, что же произошло на самом деле; to learn — изучать, учить). Some of them actually sat down and laughed (некоторые из них даже сели и захохотали). Others waved their spears (другие замахали своими копьями) and clashed the shafts (и забряцали древками) against their shields (о свои щиты). Goblins are not afraid of fire (гоблины не боятся огня), and they soon had a plan (и вскоре у них был план) which seemed to them most amusing (который им показался очень забавным; to amuse — забавлять). Some got all the wolves together in a pack (некоторые из них собрали всех волков в одну стаю). Some stacked fern (некоторые сложили в кучи папоротник) and brushwood (и валежник) round the tree-trunks (вокруг стволов деревьев). Others rushed round (другие разбежались вокруг) and stamped and beat (и топали ногами и стучали), and beat and stamped (и хлопали и топали), until nearly all the flames were put out (до тех пор, пока все пламя не было потушено) — but they did not put out the fire (но они не затушили тот огонь) nearest to the trees (который был ближе всего к деревьям) where the dwarves were (где были гномы).

fierce [fɪǝs] yell [jel] brushwood [ˈbrʌʃwʋd]

But the wolf-guards did not leave the trees. Maddened and angry they were leaping and howling round the trunks, and cursing the dwarves in their horrible language, with their tongues hanging out, and their eyes shining as red and fierce as the flames. Then suddenly goblins came running up yelling. They thought a battle with the woodmen was going on; but they soon learned what had really happened. Some of them actually sat down and laughed. Others waved their spears and clashed the shafts against their shields. Goblins are not afraid of fire, and they soon had a plan which seemed to them most amusing. Some got all the wolves together in a pack. Some stacked fern and brushwood round the tree-trunks. Others rushed round and stamped and beat, and beat and stamped, until nearly all the flames were put out — but they did not put out the fire nearest to the trees where the dwarves were.

That fire they fed with leaves (этот огонь они поддерживали листьями; to feed (fed) — кормить, давать пищу) and dead branches and bracken (и сухими ветвями и папоротником). Soon they had a ring of smoke and flame (вскоре они создали кольцо из дыма и огня) all round the dwarves (вокруг гномов), a ring which they kept from spreading outwards (кольцо, которому они не позволяли распространяться дальше наружу; to keep (kept) — держать, хранить, беречь); but it closed slowly in (но оно медленно обступало /деревья/), till the running fire was licking the fuel (до тех пор, пока беглый огонь начал лизать топливо) piled under the trees (сваленное в кучи под деревьями). Smoke was in Bilbo’s eyes (дым стоял в глазах Бильбо), he could feel the heat of the flames (он мог чувствовать жар пламени); and through the reek he could see the goblins (и сквозь дым и копоть он мог видеть гоблинов) dancing round and round in a circle (танцующих в кругу) like people round a midsummer bonfire (подобно людям, /танцующим/ вокруг костра /в честь/ летнего солнцестояния). Outside the ring of dancing warriors (за пределами кольца танцующих воинов) with spears and axes (с копьями и секирами) stood the wolves at a respectful distance (стояли волки на почтительном расстоянии), watching and waiting (наблюдая и выжидая).

branch [brɑ: ntʃ] outwards [ˈaʋtwǝdz] warrior [ˈwɔrɪǝ]

That fire they fed with leaves and dead branches and bracken. Soon they had a ring of smoke and flame all round the dwarves, a ring which they kept from spreading outwards; but it closed slowly in, till the running fire was licking the fuel piled under the trees. Smoke was in Bilbo’s eyes, he could feel the heat of the flames; and through the reek he could see the goblins dancing round and round in a circle like people round a midsummer bonfire. Outside the ring of dancing warriors with spears and axes stood the wolves at a respectful distance, watching and waiting.

He could hear the goblins beginning a horrible song (он мог слышать, как гоблины затянули: «начали» ужасную песню):

Fifteen birds in five firtrees (пятнадцать птичек на пяти елях /сидели/),

their feathers were fanned in a fiery breeze (их перья развивались на огненном ветерке)!

But, funny little birds (но, забавные мелкие пташки), they had no wings (нет у них крыльев)!

O what shall we do (о, что же нам сделать) with the funny little things (с забавными малютками)?

Roast ‘em alive (зажарить /на гриле/ их живьем; ‘em = them), or stew them in a pot (или потушим их в кастрюле), fry them (зажарим их), boil them (сварим их) and eat them hot (и съедим их горячими)?

Then they stopped (затем они остановились) and shouted out (и закричали): “Fly away little birds (улетайте, маленькие пташки)! Fly away if you can (улетайте, если сможете)! Come down little birds (спускайтесь, маленькие птички), or you will get roasted in your nests (или вы зажаритесь в своих гнездышках)! Sing, sing little birds (пойте, пойте, маленькие птички)! Why don’t you sing (почему же вы не поете)?”

breeze [bri: z] roast [rǝʋst] stew [stju: ] bird [bǝ: d] fir-tree [ˈfǝ: tri:]

He could hear the goblins beginning a horrible song:

Fifteen birds in five firtrees, their feathers were fanned in a fiery breeze! But, funny little birds, they had no wings! O what shall we do with the funny little things? Roast ‘em alive, or stew them in a pot, fry them, boil them and eat them hot?”

Then they stopped and shouted out: “Fly away little birds! Fly away if you can! Come down little birds, or you will get roasted in your nests! Sing, sing little birds! Why don’t you sing?”

“Go away (убирайтесь)! little boys (мальчишки)!” shouted Gandalf in answer (закричал Гэндальф в ответ). “It isn’t bird-nesting time (сейчас не время охотиться за птичьими гнездами; nest — гнездо). Also naughty little boys (а также, непослушные мальчишки) that play with fire (которые играют с огнем) get punished (всегда наказываются). ” He said it to make them angry (он сказал это, чтобы разозлить их), and to show them (и чтобы показать им) he was not frightened of them (что он не боялся их) — though of course he was (хотя, конечно же, он был испуган), wizard though he was (хотя он и был волшебником). But they took no notice (но они не обратили внимания), and they went on singing (и они продолжали петь).

Burn, burn tree and fern (горите, горите деревья и папоротник)!

Shrivel and scorch (иссушивайтесь и опаляйтесь)!

A fizzling torch (шипящий факел)

To light the night (который осветит ночь) for our delight (к нашему восторгу),

Ya hey (эй, эй)!

Bake and toast ‘em (запечем и подрумяним их), fry and roast ‘em (поджарим и зажарим их) till beards blaze (пока бороды не загорятся), and eyes glaze (и глаза не потускнеют; glaze — глазурь; to glaze — тускнеть, стекленеть /о глазах/); till hair smells (пока волосы не запахнут) and skins crack (и кожа не лопнет), fat melts (жир плавится), and bones black (и кости почернели) in cinders lie (в золе лежат) beneath the sky (под небесами)!

So dwarves shall die (так умрут гномы), and light the night for our delight (и зажгут ночь, к нашему восторгу), Ya hey (эй-эй)!

Ya-harri-hey!

Ya hoy (я-хой)!

naughty [ˈnɔ: tɪ] punish [ˈpʌnɪʃ] cinder [ˈsɪndǝ]