Роберт Говард – Английский язык с Конаном-варваром (страница 22)
To lighten himself, he had cast aside the great hunting bow when he had spent his last shaft, although it wrenched his heart to throw away the splendid weapon (/чтобы/ облегчиться,[17] он отбросил /в сторону/ большой охотничий луг, когда потратил свою последнюю стрелу, хотя это причинило мучение его сердцу — выбросить отличное оружие;
bow [bəu], last [lɑ: st], fist [fɪst]
To lighten himself, he had cast aside the great hunting bow when he had spent his last shaft, although it wrenched his heart to throw away the splendid weapon. Quiver and straps soon followed. He was now stripped to a mere loin-clout of leopard skin, the high-laced sandals that clad his feet, his goatskin water bag, and the heavy broadsword, which he now carried scabbarded in one fist. To part with these would mean surrendering his last hope.
The lions were now almost at his heels (львы были =
heels [hi: lz], reek [ri: k], breath [breƟ]
The lions were now almost at his heels. He could smell the strong reek of their lithe bodies and hear their panting breath. Any moment, now, they would close in upon him, and he would be making his last furious fight for life before they pulled him down.
He expected his pursuers to follow their age-old tactics (он ожидал, /что/ его преследователи последовать =
chief [tʃi: f], flank [flæŋk], range [reɪnʤ]
He expected his pursuers to follow their age-old tactics. The oldest male — the chief of the pride — would follow directly behind him, with the younger males on either flank. The swifter lionesses would range ahead on either side in a crescent formation until they were far enough ahead of him to close the circle and trap him. Then they would all rush in upon him at once, making any effective defense impossible.
Suddenly, the land was flooded with light (вдруг земля была =
flooded [ˈflʌdɪd], round [raund], silver [ˈsɪlvə]
Suddenly, the land was flooded with light. The round silver eye of the rising moon glared down upon the broad plains, bathing the racing figure of the giant barbarian with her gaze and drawing lines of pale silver fire along the rippling sinews of the lions as they loped at his heels, washing their short, silken fur with her ghostly radiance.
Conan's wary eye caught the moonfire on rippling fur ahead to his left (настороженный глаз Конана поймал лунный свет на колеблющемся мехе впереди слева от него: «к его левому»), and he knew that the encirclement was nearly complete (и он узнал
went [went], young [jʌŋ], right [raɪt]
Conan's wary eye caught the moonfire on rippling fur ahead to his left, and he knew that the encirclement was nearly complete. As he braced himself to meet the charge, however, he was astounded to see the same lioness veer off and halt. In two strides he was past her. As he went, he saw that the young lioness on his right had also stopped short. She squatted motionless on the grass with tail twitching and lashing. A curious sound, half roar and half wail, came from her fanged jaws.
Conan dared to slow his run and glance back (Конан осмелился замедлить свой бег и оглянуться назад). To his utter astonishment, he saw that the entire pride had halted as if at some invisible barrier (к его крайнему изумлению он увидел, что весь прайд остановился, как будто у некоего невидимого барьера). They stood in a snarling line with fangs gleaming like silver in the moonlight (они стояли рычащей линией с клыками, блестящими, как серебро в лунном свете). Earth-shaking roars of baffled rage came from their throats (содрогающий землю рык недоуменной ярости раздался из их глоток;
glance [ɡlɑ: ns], entire [ɪnˈtaɪə], line [laɪn]
Conan dared to slow his run and glance back. To his utter astonishment, he saw that the entire pride had halted as if at some invisible barrier, They stood in a snarling line with fangs gleaming like silver in the moonlight. Earth-shaking roars of baffled rage came from their throats.
Conan's eyes narrowed thoughtfully, and his scowling brows knotted in puzzlement (глаза Конана сузились задумчиво, а его нахмуренные брови сошлись в замешательстве). What had halted the pride at the very moment when they had made sure of their prey? (что остановило прайд в тот самый момент, когда они убедились в их добыче =
puzzlement [ˈpʌzlmənt], sure [ʃuə], resume [rɪˈzju: m]
Conan's eyes narrowed thoughtfully, and his scowling brows knotted in puzzlement. What had halted the pride at the very moment when they had made sure of their prey? What unseen force had annulled the fury of the chase? He stood for a moment facing them, sword in hand, wondering if they would resume their charge. But the lions stayed where they were, growling and roaring from foam-dripping jaws.