Balin was told off to watch the guard and the butler and give warning if they stirred. The rest went into the adjoining cellar with the trapdoors.

There was little time to lose (нельзя было терять ни минуты: «было мало времени, чтобы терять»). Before long (в ближайшее время), as Bilbo knew (как знал Бильбо), some elves were under orders (некоторые эльфы получили приказ; to be under orders — получить приказ; order — порядок, приказ, распоряжение) to come down (спуститься вниз) and help the butler (и помочь дворецкому) get the empty barrels through the doors (бросить пустые бочки сквозь люки) into the stream (в поток). These were in fact (они: «эти» = бочки, в действительности) already standing in rows (уже стояли рядами) in the middle of the floor (посредине комнаты: «пола») waiting to be pushed off (и ожидали, когда их столкнут). Some of them were wine-barrels (некоторые из них были винными бочками), and these were not much use (и от них было не много пользы), as they could not easily be opened (потому как их не очень-то просто можно было открыть) at the end (с конца) without a deal of noise (без значительного шума), nor could they easily be secured again (и их нельзя было снова легко закрыть; to secure — охранять, укреплять, скреплять). But among them were several others (но среди бочек было и несколько других) which had been used for bringing other stuffs (которые использовались для доставки других товаров), butter (масла), apples (яблок), and all sorts of things (и всяческого рода провизии), to the king’s palace (во дворец короля).

secure [sɪˈkjʋǝ] butter [ˈbʌtǝ] apple [ˈæp (ǝ) l]

There was little time to lose. Before long, as Bilbo knew, some elves were under orders to come down and help the butler get the empty barrels through the doors into the stream. These were in fact already standing in rows in the middle of the floor waiting to be pushed off. Some of them were wine-barrels, and these were not much use, as they could not easily be opened at the end without a deal of noise, nor could they easily be secured again. But among them were several others which had been used for bringing other stuffs, butter, apples, and all sorts of things, to the king’s palace.

They soon found thirteen (вскоре они обнаружили тринадцать /бочек/) with room enough for a dwarf in each (с достаточным местом для гнома в каждой; room — комната, жилье, пространство). In fact some were too roomy (на самом деле, некоторые были слишком просторные), and as they climbed in (и, когда они забрались внутрь) the dwarves thought anxiously (гномы думали с волнением) of the shaking and the bumping they would get inside (о той тряске и ударах, что они получат внутри их), though Bilbo did his best (хотя Бильбо и сделал все возможное) to find straw and other stuff (чтобы найти солому и другой материал) to pack them in (чтобы укутать их; topack — упаковывать, укладывать) as cosily as could be managed (настолько уютно, насколько это могло быть сделанным) in a short time (за короткое время). At last twelve dwarves were stowed (наконец все двенадцать гномов были уложены; to stow — укладывать, убирать, наполнять). Thorin had given a lot of trouble (Торин доставил много неприятностей), and turned and twisted in his tub (и ворочался и извивался в своем бочонке) and grumbled like a large dog (и ворчал, как большая собака) in a small kennel (в маленькой конуре); while Balin, who came last (тогда как Балин, который пришел последним), made a great fuss about his air-holes (поднял такой шум из-за отверстий для воздуха) and said he was stifling (и сказал, что он задыхается; to stifle), even before his lid was on (даже до того, как крышка его /бочки/ была закрыта). Bilbo had done what he could (Бильбо сделал все, что мог) to close holes in the sides of the barrels (чтобы закрыть дырки по сторонам бочек), and to fix on all the lids (и закрепить все крышки) as safely as could be managed (так надежно, как только возможно), and now he was left alone again (и теперь он снова остался один), running round (бегая вокруг) putting the finishing touches to the packing (и внося завершающие штрихи в упаковку;touch — прикосновение), and hoping against hope (и надеялся, вопреки самой надежде) that his plan would come off (что его план удастся).

roomy [ˈru: mɪ] anxiously [ˈæŋklǝslɪ] kennel [kenl] stifling [ˈstaɪflɪŋ]

They soon found thirteen with room enough for a dwarf in each. In fact some were too roomy, and as they climbed in the dwarves thought anxiously of the shaking and the bumping they would get inside, though Bilbo did his best to find straw and other stuff to pack them in as cosily as could be managed in a short time. At last twelve dwarves were stowed. Thorin had given a lot of trouble, and turned and twisted in his tub and grumbled like a large dog in a small kennel; while Balin, who came last, made a great fuss about his air-holes and said he was stifling, even before his lid was on. Bilbo had done what he could to close holes in the sides of the barrels, and to fix on all the lids as safely as could be managed, and now he was left alone again, running round putting the finishing touches — to the packing, and hoping against hope that his plan would come off.

It had not been a-bit too soon (и как раз во время: «это не было ни на чуточку слишком скоро»). Only a minute or two (только пару минут: «минуту или две») after Balin’s lid had been fitted on (после того, как крышка от /бочки/ Балина была установлена на место; to fit on — пригонять, подгонять) there came the sound of voices (появились звуки голосов) and the flicker of lights (и мерцание огней). A number of elves came laughing and talking (некоторое количество эльфов вошло, смеясь и разговаривая) into the cellars (в погреба) and singing snatches of song (и пели отрывки из песни;snatch — отрывок, обрывок; to snatch — выхватить). They had left a merry feast (они оставили веселый пир) in one of the halls (в одном из залов) and were bent on returning (и твердо решили вернуться; to bend (bent) — гнуть, наклонять, to be bent on smth. (on doing smth.) — решиться на что-либо) as soon as they could (так скоро, как только возможно).

“Where’s old Galion, the butler (а где же старина Гэлион, дворецкий)?” said one. “I haven’t seen him at the tables tonight (я не видел его за столами сегодня вечером). He ought to be here now (ему бы следовало сейчас быть здесь) to show us (чтобы показать нам) what is to be done (что должно быть сделано). ”

“I shall be angry (я рассержусь) if the old slowcoach is late (если этот копуша опоздает), ” said another (сказал другой). “I have no wish (у меня нет никакого желания) to waste time down here (терять здесь внизу время) while the song is up (в то время как пение там, наверху)!”

“Ha, ha (ха-ха)!” came a cry (донесся крик). “Here’s the old villain (вот же /он/, старый проказник; villain — злодей, негодяй) with his head on a jug (с носом: «головой» на кувшине)! He’s been having a little feast (у него тут шел небольшой пир) all to himself and his friend the captain (для себя и своего дружка капитана). ”

“Shake him (растрясите его)! Wake him (разбудите его)!” shouted the others impatiently (кричали другие в нетерпении). Galion was not at all pleased (Гэлион был совсем не доволен тем) at being shaken or wakened (что его трясли и будили), and still less at being laughed at (и еще меньше тем, что над ним смеялись).

voice [vɔɪs] snatch [snætʃ] butler [ˈbʌtlǝ] slowcoach [ˈslǝʋkǝʋtʃ] villain [ˈvɪlǝn]

It had not been a-bit too soon. Only a minute or two after Balin’s lid had been fitted on there came the sound of voices and the flicker of lights. A number of elves came laughing and talking into the cellars and singing snatches of song. They had left a merry feast in one of the halls and were bent on returning as soon as they could.

“Where’s old Galion, the butler?” said one. “I haven’t seen him at the tables tonight. He ought to be here now to show us what is to be done. ”

“I shall be angry if the old slowcoach is late, ” said another. “I have no wish to waste time down here while the song is up!”

Ha, ha!” came a cry. “Here’s the old villain with his head on a jug! He’s been having a little feast all to himself and his friend the captain. ” “Shake him! Wake him!” shouted the others impatiently. Gallon was not at all pleased at being shaken or wakened, and still less at being laughed at.

“You’re all late (вы все опоздали), ” he grumbled (ворчал он). “Here am I (вот и я) waiting and waiting down here (жду и жду здесь внизу), while you fellows drink (тогда как вы, парни, пьете) and make merry (и пируете) and forget your tasks (и забываете о своих обязанностях; task — задача, задание). Small wonder (неудивительно: «не большое чудо»; small — маленький, небольшой) if I fall asleep (что я заснул) from weariness (от усталости)!”

“Small wonder (неудивительно), ” said they (сказали они), “when the explanation (когда объяснение) stands close at hand in a jug (стоит прямо под рукой, в кувшине)! Come give us a taste of your sleeping-draught (ну же, дай-ка нам отведать твоего снотворного; taste—вкус; sleeping-draught — снотворное, сонное зелье) before we fall to (пока мы все не уснули; to fall — падать, опускаться)! No need to wake the turnkey yonder (без надобности будить тюремного надзирателя тут вот; turnkey — тюремный надзиратель; to turn — поворачивать; key — ключ; yonder — вон тот, другой). He has had his share (он свою долю уже получил) by the looks of it (судя по виду; by the looks of it — по виду, видимо). ”

Then they drank once round (затем они выпили один раз по кругу) and became mighty merry (и стали чрезвычайно веселы) all of a sudden (совершенно внезапно). But they did not quite lose their wits (но они не потеряли совершенно рассудок).

“Save us, Galion (помилуй, Гэлион; to save — спасать, беречь)!” cried some (закричали некоторое), “you began your feasting early (ты рано начал свою пирушку) and muddled your wits (и разум твой все перепутал)! You have stacked some full casks here (ты здесь сложил несколько полных бочонков) instead of the empty ones (вместо пустых), if there is anything in weight (если вес вообще имеет значение; weight — вес, тяжесть, груз). ”

“Get on with the work (продолжайте работать)!” growled the butler (зарычал дворецкий). “There is nothing in the feeling of weight (нет никакого значения в ощущении веса) in an idle toss-pot’s arms (в праздных руках пьяниц; tosspot — пьяница; to toss — бросать, вскидывать; pot — горшок, кружка). These are the ones to go (эти бочки надо бросить: «это те самые, которые должны отправиться») and no others (и никакие другие). Do as I say (делайте, как я вам говорю)!”

weariness [ˈwɪ (ǝ) rɪnɪs] wonder [ˈwʌndǝ] draught [drɑ: ft] yonder [ˈjɔndǝ] turnkey [ˈtǝ: nki: ] idle [aɪdl] tosspot [ˈtɔspɔt]

“You’re all late, ” he grumbled. “Here am I waiting and waiting down here, while you fellows drink and make merry and forget your tasks. Small wonder if I fall asleep from weariness!”

“Small wonder, ” said they, “when the explanation stands close at hand in a jug! Come give us a taste of your sleeping-draught before we fall to! No need to wake the turnkey yonder. He has had his share by the looks of it. ” Then they drank once round and became mighty merry all of a sudden. But they did not quite lose their wits. “Save us, Galion!” cried some, “you began your feasting early and muddled your wits! You have stacked some full casks here instead of the empty ones, if there is anything in weight. ”

“Get on with the work!” growled the butler. “There is nothing in the feeling of weight in an idle toss-pot’s arms. These are the ones to go and no others. Do as I say!”

“Very well (очень хорошо), very well, ” they answered (ответили они) rolling the barrels to the opening (катя бочки к отверстию /люка/). “On your head be it (это будет на твоей совести; head — голова; ум, рассудок), if the king’s full buttertubs (если полные королевские бочонки с маслом) and his best wine (и его самым лучшим вином) is pushed into the river (будут столкнуты в речку) for the Lake-men to feast on for nothing (и Люди-с-Озера будут пировать задаром; for nothing — даром, бесплатно)!”

Roll-roll-roll-roll (качу-качу-качу-качу),

roll-roll-rolling down the hole I (качу-качу-качу я вниз в глубину; to roll down — скатывать; hole — дыра, отверстие, лаз)

Heave ho (раз-два дружно)! Splash plump (плюх-бух; splash — плеск, брызги, plump — зд. всплеск от падения в воду, плюханье)!

Down they go (катятся они вниз), down they bump (/прыгают/ с грохотом вниз; to bump — ударять (ся), прыгать сильно, с шумом)!

heave ho [ˌhi: vˈhǝʋ] splash [splæʃ]

“Very well, very well, ” they answered rolling the barrels to the opening. “On your head be it, if the king’s full buttertubs and his best wine is pushed into the river for the Lake-men to feast on for nothing!”