Джон Рональд – Английский язык с Дж. Р. Р. Толкиеном. Хоббит (страница 161)
crow [krǝʋ] ugly [ˈʌɡlɪ] immediately [ɪˈmi: dɪǝtlɪ]
“Those were crows! And nasty suspicious-looking creatures at that, and rude as well. You must have heard the ugly names they were calling after us. But the ravens are different. There used to be great friendship between them and the people of Thror; and they often brought us secret news, and were rewarded with such bright things as they coveted to hide in their dwellings.
“They live many a year, and their memories are long, and they hand on their wisdom to their children. I knew many among the ravens of the rocks when I was a dwarf-lad. This very height was once named Ravenhill, because there was a wise and famous pair, old Carc and his wife, that lived here above the guard-chamber. But I don’t suppose that any of that ancient breed linger here now. ”
No sooner had he finished speaking than the old thrush gave a loud call, and immediately flew away.
“We may not understand him (мы, можем и не понимать его), but that old bird understands us (но эта старая птица понимает нас), I am sure (я уверен), ” said Balin. “Keep watch now (сейчас продолжим следить), and see what happens (и посмотрим, что произойдет)!” Before long there was a fluttering of wings (вскоре раздался шум: «трепетание» крыльев), and back came the thrush (и вот, дрозд вернулся назад); and with him came a most decrepit old bird (и с ним прилетела очень дряхлая старая птица;
decrepit [dɪˈkrepɪt] blind [blaɪnd] bald [bɔ: ld]
“We may not understand him, but that old bird understands us, I am sure, ” said Balin. “Keep watch now, and see what happens!” Before long there was a fluttering of wings, and back came the thrush; and with him came a most decrepit old bird. He was getting blind, he could hardly fly, and the top of his head was bald. He was an aged raven of great size. He alighted stiffly on the ground before them, slowly flapped his wings, and bobbed towards Thorin.
“O Thorin son of Thrain (О Торин, сын Трейна), and Balin son of Fundin (и Балин, сын Фандина), ” he croaked (прокаркал он) (and Bilbo could understand what he said (и Бильбо смог понять, что он сказал), for he used ordinary language and not bird-speech (так как тот использовал обычный язык, а не язык птиц)).
“I am Rac son of Carc (я — Рэк, сын Карка). Carc is dead (Карк мертв), but he was well known to you once (но когда-то он был вам хорошо известен/знаком). It is a hundred years and three and fifty (/прошло/ сто пятьдесят три года: «сто лет и три и пятьдесят») since I came out of the egg (с того момента, как я вылупился: «вышел» из яйца), but I do not forget (но я не забыл) what my father told me (что говорил мне мой отец;
“Behold (смотри)! the birds are gathering back again to the Mountain (птицы собираются снова назад, к Горе) and to Dale (и Дейлу) from South and East and West (с Юга, Востока и Запада), for word has gone out (так как прошел слух;
“Dead (мертв)! Dead?” shouted the dwarves (закричали гномы). “Dead (мертв)! Then we have been in needless fear (тогда мы пребывали в бесполезном страхе;
They all sprang up (все они повскакивали на ноги;
croak [krǝʋk] abroad [ǝˈbrɔ: d] caper [ˈkeɪpǝ]
“O Thorin son of Thrain, and Balin son of Fundin, ” he croaked (and Bilbo could understand what he said, for he used ordinary language and not bird — speech). “I am Rac son of Carc. Carc is dead, but he was well known to you once. It is a hundred years and three and fifty since I came out of the egg, but I do not forget what my father told me. Now I am the chief of the great ravens of the Mountain. We are few, but we remember still the king that was of old. Most of my people are abroad, for there are great tidings in the South — some are tidings of joy to you, and some you will not think so good. “Behold! the birds are gathering back again to the Mountain and to Dale from South and East and West, for word has gone out that Smaug is dead!” “Dead! Dead?” shouted the dwarves. “Dead! Then we have been in needless fear — and the treasure is ours!”
They all sprang up and began to caper about for joy.
“Yes, dead (да, мертв), ” said Rac. “The thrush, may his feathers never fall (этот дрозд, да не выпадут никогда его перья), saw him die (видел, как он умер), and we may trust his words (а мы можем доверять его словам). He saw him fall in battle (он видел, как тот пал в битве) with the men of Esgaroth (с людьми /города/ Эсгарота) the third night back from now (три ночи назад от сегодняшнего дня) at the rising of the moon (при восходе луны). ” It was some time (прошло какое-то время) before Thorin could bring the dwarves to be silent (прежде чем Торин смог заставить гномов замолчать) and listen to the raven’s news (и выслушать новости ворона). At length (наконец) when he had told all the tale of the battle (когда он рассказал всю историю битвы) he went on (он продолжил):
“So much for joy, Thorin Oakenshield (вот и все радостные вести, Торин Оукеншильд;
length [leŋƟ] guardian [ˈɡɑ: dɪǝn] slaughter [ˈslɔ: tǝ]
“Yes, dead, ” said Rac. “The thrush, may his feathers never fall, saw him die, and we may trust his words. He saw him fall in battle with the men of Esgaroth the third night back from now at the rising of the moon. ” It was some time before Thorin could bring the dwarves to be silent and listen to the raven’s news. At length when he had told all the tale of the battle he went on: “So much for joy, Thorin Oakenshield. You may go back to your halls in safety; all the treasure is yours — for the moment. But many are gathering hither beside the birds. The news of the death of the guardian has already gone far and wide, and the legend of the wealth of Thror has not lost in the telling during many years; many are eager for a share of the spoil. Already a host of the elves is on the way, and carrion birds are with them hoping for battle and slaughter. By the lake men murmur that their sorrows are due to the dwarves; for they are homeless and many have died, and Smaug has destroyed their town. They too think to find amends from your treasure, whether you are alive or dead.