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CHAPTER X

(глава десятая)

Our first night (наша первая ночь). — Under canvas (под брезентом). — An appeal for help (просьба о помощи; appeal — призыв; просьба, мольба). — Contrariness of tea-kettles, how to overcome (упрямство чайника, как /его/ преодолеть; to overcome — побороть, преодолеть). — Supper (ужин). — How to feel virtuous (как почувствовать себя добродетельным). — Wanted! A comfortably-appointed, well-drained desert island (требуется уютно обставленный, хорошо осушенный необитаемый остров; to appoint — назначать, определять /время, место/; устраивать, обставлять; desert — заброшенный; необитаемый, безлюдный), neighbourhood of South Pacific Ocean preferred (предпочтительно в южной части Тихого океана; neighbourhood — близость, соседство, сопредельность). — Funny thing that happened to George's father (забавная вещь, случившаяся с отцом Джорджа). — A restless night (беспокойная ночь; restless — беспокойный, тревожный).


Our first night. — Under canvas. — An appeal for help. — Contrariness of tea-kettles, how to overcome. — Supper. — How to feel virtuous. — Wanted! A comfortably-appointed, well-drained desert island, neighbourhood of South Pacific Ocean preferred. — Funny thing that happened to George's father. — A restless night.


HARRIS and I began to think that Bell Weir lock must have been done away with after the same manner (мы с Гаррисом начали думать, что с Бель-Уирским шлюзом, должно быть, разделались таким же образом). George had towed us up to Staines, and we had taken the boat from there (Джордж дотянул нас до Стэйнса, и мы /с Гаррисом/ повели лодку оттуда), and it seemed that we were dragging fifty tons after us, and were walking forty miles (и казалось, что мы тянем за собой пятьдесят тонн, и идем /уже/ сорок миль). It was half-past seven when we were through, and we all got in (было полвосьмого, когда мы закончили /тянуть/ и все влезли /в лодку/), and sculled up close to the left bank, looking out for a spot to haul up in (и пошли на веслах около левого берега, высматривая место, чтобы высадиться; to haul up — поднимать; останавливаться).


virtuous ['v@:tSu@s] island ['aIl@nd] ocean ['@uS(@)n]


HARRIS and I began to think that Bell Weir lock must have been done away with after the same manner. George had towed us up to Staines, and we had taken the boat from there, and it seemed that we were dragging fifty tons after us, and were walking forty miles. It was half-past seven when we were through, and we all got in, and sculled up close to the left bank, looking out for a spot to haul up in.


We had originally intended to go on to Magna Charta Island (мы первоначально намеревались пристать к острову Великая Хартия Вольностей), a sweetly pretty part of the river, where it winds through a soft, green valley (к очаровательному месту: «части» реки, где она змеится по ровной зеленой долине; soft — мягкий, легкий; приятный; пологий, ровный), and to camp in one of the many picturesque inlets to be found round that tiny shore (и заночевать в одном из многочисленных живописных заливов, которые можно найти у того крошечного побережья; inlet — узкий морской залив; фьорд). But, somehow, we did not feel that we yearned for the picturesque nearly so much now as we had earlier in the day (но почему-то мы не ощущали, что теперь жаждем живописного так же сильно, как раньше днем = утром). A bit of water between a coal-barge and a gas-works (немного воды между угольной баржей и газовым заводом) would have quite satisfied us for that night (вполне бы удовлетворило нас в эту ночь). We did not want scenery (мы не хотели пейзажа). We wanted to have our supper and go to bed (мы хотели поужинать и лечь спать). However, we did pull up to the point — "Picnic Point," it is called (тем не менее, мы подгребли к мысу — он называется «Мыс Пикник»; point — точка, пункт; тонкий конец, выступающая часть: мыс, коса) — and dropped into a very pleasant nook under a great elm-tree (и зашли в очень приятную бухточку под большим вязом; to drop into — случайно зайти, заглянуть; nook — угол/ок/, бухточка), to the spreading roots of which we fastened the boat (к разросшимся корням которого мы привязали лодку).

Then we thought we were going to have supper (потом мы собирались поужинать) (we had dispensed with tea, so as to save time) (мы обходились без чая /до этого/, чтобы сэкономить время), but George said no (но Джордж сказал «нет»); that we had better get the canvas up first, before it got quite dark (что нам лучше сначала натянуть брезент, до того, как станет совсем темно), and while we could see what we were doing (и пока мы можем видеть, что делаем). Then, he said, all our work would be done (тогда, сказал он, вся работа будет сделана), and we could sit down to eat with an easy mind (и мы сможем приняться за еду с легким сердцем).


inlet ['Inlet] picturesque [,pIktS@'resk] fastened [fA:snd]


We had originally intended to go on to Magna Charta Island, a sweetly pretty part of the river, where it winds through a soft, green valley, and to camp in one of the many picturesque inlets to be found round that tiny shore. But, somehow, we did not feel that we yearned for the picturesque nearly so much now as we had earlier in the day. A bit of water between a coal-barge and a gas-works would have quite satisfied us for that night. We did not want scenery. We wanted to have our supper and go to bed. However, we did pull up to the point — "Picnic Point," it is called — and dropped into a very pleasant nook under a great elm-tree, to the spreading roots of which we fastened the boat.

Then we thought we were going to have supper (we had dispensed with tea, so as to save time), but George said no; that we had better get the canvas up first, before it got quite dark, and while we could see what we were doing. Then, he said, all our work would be done, and we could sit down to eat with an easy mind.


That canvas wanted more putting up than I think any of us had bargained for (тот брезент требовал больше вывешивания, чем, думаю, любой из нас ожидал = натягивание брезента оказалось не таким простым, как мы думали; to put up — поднимать; вывешивать; to bargain — заключить сделку; договориться; рассчитывать). It looked so simple in the abstract (это казалось так просто теоретически). You took five iron arches, like gigantic croquet hoops (вы берете пять железных дуг, похожих на огромные крокетные воротца), and fitted them up over the boat (устанавливаете их вдоль всей лодки), and then stretched the canvas over them, and fastened it down (потом натягиваете брезент поверх = на них и привязываете его): it would take quite ten minutes, we thought (это займет минут десять, думали мы).

That was an under-estimate (это было недооценкой).

We took up the hoops, and began to drop them into the sockets placed for them (мы взяли дуги и начали вставлять их в расположенные для них гнезда; socket — впадина, гнездо, углубление). You would not imagine this to be dangerous work (кто бы мог предположить: «вы бы не представили», что это опасная работа); but, looking back now, the wonder to me is that any of us are alive to tell the tale (но, вспоминая теперь, удивление для меня = я удивляюсь тому, что все мы живы и /можем/ рассказать эту историю). They were not hoops, they were demons (это были не дуги, это были дьяволы; demon — демон, дьявол, сатана). First they would not fit into their sockets at all (сначала они не вставлялись в гнезда вообще), and we had to jump on them, and kick them (и нам пришлось прыгать по ним, бить их ногами), and hammer at them with the boat-hook (и стучать по ним багром); and, when they were in, it turned out (и, когда они вставились, я обнаружил) that they were the wrong hoops for those particular sockets, and they had to come out again (что они не те дуги для конкретных гнезд = вставлены не туда, и их пришлось вытащить снова; particular — особый; отдельный, одиночный, частный).


croquet ['kr@ukeI] demon ['di:m@n]


That canvas wanted more putting up than I think any of us had bargained for. It looked so simple in the abstract. You took five iron arches, like gigantic croquet hoops, and fitted them up over the boat, and then stretched the canvas over them, and fastened it down: it would take quite ten minutes, we thought.

That was an under-estimate.

We took up the hoops, and began to drop them into the sockets placed for them. You would not imagine this to be dangerous work; but, looking back now, the wonder to me is that any of us are alive to tell the tale. They were not hoops, they were demons. First they would not fit into their sockets at all, and we had to jump on them, and kick them, and hammer at them with the boat-hook; and, when they were in, it turned out that they were the wrong hoops for those particular sockets, and they had to come out again.


But they would not come out, until two of us had gone and struggled with them for five minutes (но они не вытаскивались до тех пор, пока двое из нас не сражались с ними пять минут), when they would jump up suddenly (после чего они выскакивали внезапно), and try and throw us into the water and drown us (и пытались сбросить нас в воду и утопить). They had hinges in the middle, and, when we were not looking (у них были шарниры посередине, и, когда мы не смотрели; hinge — петля, шарнир, крюк), they nipped us with these hinges in delicate parts of the body (они щипали нас этими шарнирами за нежные/чувствительные части тела); and, while we were wrestling with one side of the hoop (и, пока мы боролись с одной стороной дуги), and endeavouring to persuade it to do its duty (и пытались убедить ее выполнить свой долг), the other side would come behind us in a cowardly manner, and hit us over the head (другая сторона подходила к нам сзади трусливым образом = коварно и ударяла по голове).

We got them fixed at last, and then all that was to be done was to arrange the covering over them (мы закрепили их наконец, и теперь все, что оставалось сделать — расположить оболочку поверх них = натянуть на них брезент). George unrolled it, and fastened one end over the nose of the boat (Джордж развернул его и укрепил один конец на носу лодки). Harris stood in the middle to take it from George and roll it on to me (Гаррис встал посередине, чтобы взять его у Джорджа и бросить мне), and I kept by the stern to receive it (а я держался у кормы, чтобы поймать его; to receive — получать; принимать). It was a long time coming down to me (он долго доходил до меня). George did his part all right (Джордж сделал свое дело хорошо), but it was new work to Harris, and he bungled it (но это было новой работой для Гарриса, и он все испортил; to bungle — неумело работать; портить работу, испортить дело).


wrestling ['reslIN] endeavouring [In'dev@rIN] persuade [p@'sweId]


But they would not come out, until two of us had gone and struggled with them for five minutes, when they would jump up suddenly, and try and throw us into the water and drown us. They had hinges in the middle, and, when we were not looking, they nipped us with these hinges in delicate parts of the body; and, while we were wrestling with one side of the hoop, and endeavouring to persuade it to do its duty, the other side would come behind us in a cowardly manner, and hit us over the head.

We got them fixed at last, and then all that was to be done was to arrange the covering over them. George unrolled it, and fastened one end over the nose of the boat. Harris stood in the middle to take it from George and roll it on to me, and I kept by the stern to receive it. It was a long time coming down to me. George did his part all right, but it was new work to Harris, and he bungled it.


How he managed it I do not know, he could not explain himself (как ему это удалось, я не знаю, он и сам не мог объяснить); but by some mysterious process or other he succeeded, after ten minutes of superhuman effort (но каким-то таинственным образом он сумел после десяти минут сверхчеловеческих усилий; process — процесс; прием, способ), in getting himself completely rolled up in it (полностью закататься в нее /в парусину/). He was so firmly wrapped round and tucked in and folded over, that he could not get out (он был так плотно завернут и закутан в нее, что не мог выбраться; to tuck in — заправить; подоткнуть одеяло; to fold — загибать, складывать; заворачивать). He, of course, made frantic struggles for freedom (он, конечно, вел яростную борьбу за свободу) — the birthright of every Englishman (право по рождению каждого англичанина), — and, in doing so (I learned this afterwards), knocked over George (и, борясь /я узнал об этом позже/, сбил с ног Джорджа); and then George, swearing at Harris, began to struggle too (и потом Джордж, ругая Гарриса, тоже начал бороться), and got himself entangled and rolled up (и завернулся и закатался сам /в парусину/; to entangle — запутывать, вовлекать).

I knew nothing about all this at the time (я ничего не знал обо всем этом в то время). I did not understand the business at all myself (я вообще не понимал, в чем дело). I had been told to stand where I was, and wait till the canvas came to me (мне сказали стоять на месте: «где я есть» и ждать, пока брезент не достигнет меня), and Montmorency and I stood there and waited, both as good as gold (и мы с Монморенси стояли там и ждали послушно: «оба послушные»; both as good as gold — очень хороший, добрый; послушный). We could see the canvas being violently jerked and tossed about, pretty considerably (мы видели, как брезент резко дергает и бросает из стороны в сторону весьма значительно); but we supposed this was part of the method, and did not interfere (но мы полагали, что это часть способа = что так и нужно, и не вмешивались).


effort ['ef@t] considerably [k@n'sId(@)r@blI] interfere [,Int@'fI@]


How he managed it I do not know, he could not explain himself; but by some mysterious process or other he succeeded, after ten minutes of superhuman effort, in getting himself completely rolled up in it. He was so firmly wrapped round and tucked in and folded over, that he could not get out. He, of course, made frantic struggles for freedom — the birthright of every Englishman, — and, in doing so (I learned this afterwards), knocked over George; and then George, swearing at Harris, began to struggle too, and got himself entangled and rolled up.

I knew nothing about all this at the time. I did not understand the business at all myself. I had been told to stand where I was, and wait till the canvas came to me, and Montmorency and I stood there and waited, both as good as gold. We could see the canvas being violently jerked and tossed about, pretty considerably; but we supposed this was part of the method, and did not interfere.


We also heard much smothered language coming from underneath it (мы также слышали много приглушенных слов, исходивших = доносившихся из-под него; language — язык, речь), and we guessed that they were finding the job rather troublesome (мы поняли, что они находят эту работу довольно хлопотной/трудной = работа причиняет им неудобства; to guess — /от/гадать, догадаться; полагать, считать; troublesome — причиняющий беспокойство, трудный, хлопотливый), and concluded that we would wait until things had got a little simpler before we joined in (и решили, что подождем, пока вещи станут немного проще = пока все немного уляжется, прежде чем присоединиться /к ним/; to conclude — заключить, сделать вывод, решить).

We waited some time, but matters seemed to get only more and more involved (мы ждали некоторое время, но дело, казалось, только запутывалось все больше и больше; to get involved — вмешиваться, ввязываться), until, at last, George's head came wriggling out over the side of the boat, and spoke up (пока, наконец, голова Джорджа не вылезла, извиваясь, над бортом лодки, и не проговорила громко; to speak up — говорить громко и отчетливо; высказаться).

It said:

"Give us a hand here, can't you, you cuckoo (помоги же нам: «дай нам руку», идиот; cuckoo — кукушка; разиня, глупец, ненормальный); standing there like a stuffed mummy, when you see we are both being suffocated, you dummy (стоишь там как набитая мумия, когда видишь, что мы оба задыхаемся, болван)!"


guessed [gest] wriggling ['rIglIN] cuckoo ['kuku:]


We also heard much smothered language coming from underneath it, and we guessed that they were finding the job rather troublesome, and concluded that we would wait until things had got a little simpler before we joined in.

We waited some time, but matters seemed to get only more and more involved, until, at last, George's head came wriggling out over the side of the boat, and spoke up.

It said:

"Give us a hand here, can't you, you cuckoo; standing there like a stuffed mummy, when you see we are both being suffocated, you dummy!"


I never could withstand an appeal for help, so I went and undid them (я никогда не мог устоять перед просьбой о помощи, поэтому я развязал их; to withstand — устоять, выдержать; не поддаваться; to undo); not before it was time, either, for Harris was nearly black in the face (и это было очень вовремя, так как Гаррис почти побагровел лицом; black in the face — побагровевший /от гнева, злости, усилий и т.д./).

It took us half an hour's hard labour, after that (это заняло у нас получасовой тяжелый труд = нам пришлось тяжело потрудиться полчаса после этого), before it was properly up, and then we cleared the decks, and got out supper (прежде, чем брезент был должным образом натянут, а потом мы очистили место в лодке и стали готовить ужин; to clear the decks: «очистить палубы» — приготовиться к действиям, к бою; to get out — выходить; доставать; готовить). We put the kettle on to boil, up in the nose of the boat (мы поставили чайник кипятиться на носу лодки), and went down to the stern and pretended to take no notice of it (пошли на корму и сделали вид, что не обращаем на него внимания), but set to work to get the other things out (и стали доставать остальные вещи; to set to — браться, приступать).

That is the only way to get a kettle to boil up the river (это единственный способ заставить чайник закипеть на реке). If it sees that you are waiting for it and are anxious, it will never even sing (если он видит, что вы ждете его с нетерпением: «сильно желаете», он никогда даже не запоет; to sing — петь; гудеть, свистеть). You have to go away and begin your meal, as if you were not going to have any tea at all (вам приходится отходить и начинать есть, словно вы не собираетесь вообще пить чай). You must not even look round at it (вы не должны даже оглядываться на него). Then you will soon hear it sputtering away, mad to be made into tea (тогда вы вскоре услышите, как он булькает, безумно /желающий/ быть заваренным в чай; to sputter — брызгать слюной; шипеть, трещать /об огне, жире и т.д./).


labour ['leIb@] stern [st@:n] pretended [prI'tendId]


I never could withstand an appeal for help, so I went and undid them; not before it was time, either, for Harris was nearly black in the face.

It took us half an hour's hard labour, after that, before it was properly up, and then we cleared the decks, and got out supper. We put the kettle on to boil, up in the nose of the boat, and went down to the stern and pretended to take no notice of it, but set to work to get the other things out.

That is the only way to get a kettle to boil up the river. If it sees that you are waiting for it and are anxious, it will never even sing. You have to go away and begin your meal, as if you were not going to have any tea at all. You must not even look round at it. Then you will soon hear it sputtering away, mad to be made into tea.


It is a good plan, too, if you are in a great hurry (также хороший план = хорошо, если вы очень торопитесь: «в большой спешке»), to talk very loudly to each other about how you don't need any tea, and are not going to have any (говорить очень громко друг другу о том, как вам не нужен чай, и что вы не собираетесь его пить). You get near the kettle, so that it can overhear you, and then you shout out (вы подходите к чайнику так, чтобы он мог вас услышать, а потом выкрикиваете; to overhear — подслушать; нечаянно услышать), "I don't want any tea; do you, George (я не хочу чая, а ты, Джордж)?" to which George shouts back (на что Джордж кричит в ответ), "Oh, no, I don't like tea; we'll have lemonade instead — tea's so indigestible (о нет, я не люблю чай; выпьем лимонаду вместо него — чай такой неудобоваримый)." Upon which the kettle boils over, and puts the stove out (после чего чайник перекипает и заливает спиртовку; to put out — выдвигать, высовывать; тушить, гасить).

We adopted this harmless bit of trickery, and the result was that (мы применили эту безобидную хитрость, и результатом было то; to adopt — усыновлять, удочерять; принимать, внедрять; trickery — надувательство, обман, проделка), by the time everything else was ready, the tea was waiting (что ко времени, когда все остальное было готово, чай /уже/ ждал). Then we lit the lantern, and squatted down to supper (тогда мы зажгли фонарь и сели за ужин; to light; to squat — сидеть на корточках, садиться на корточки).

We wanted that supper (нам был необходим этот ужин).


indigestible [,IndI'dZest@bl] lantern ['lamp;nt@n]


It is a good plan, too, if you are in a great hurry, to talk very loudly to each other about how you don't need any tea, and are not going to have any. You get near the kettle, so that it can overhear you, and then you shout out, "I don't want any tea; do you, George?" to which George shouts back, "Oh, no, I don't like tea; we'll have lemonade instead — tea's so indigestible." Upon which the kettle boils over, and puts the stove out.

We adopted this harmless bit of trickery, and the result was that, by the time everything else was ready, the tea was waiting. Then we lit the lantern, and squatted down to supper.

We wanted that supper.


For five-and-thirty minutes not a sound was heard throughout the length and breadth of that boat (тридцать пять минут не было слышно ни звука по все длине и ширине лодки = во всей лодке), save the clank of cutlery and crockery (кроме звона ножей и посуды; cutlery — ножевые изделия; столовые приборы), and the steady grinding of four sets of molars (и постоянного жевания четырех пар челюстей: «наборов коренных зубов»; to grind — молоть/ся/, перемалывать/ся/; жевать). At the end of five-and-thirty minutes, Harris said, "Ah!" (через тридцать пять минут Гаррис сказал «Уф!») and took his left leg out from under him and put his right one there instead (и вытащил левую ногу из-под себя, и вместо нее положил туда правую).

Five minutes afterwards (пять минут спустя), George said, "Ah!" too, and threw his plate out on the bank (и выбросил свою тарелку на берег); and, three minutes later than that, Montmorency gave the first sign of contentment he had exhibited since we had started (а через три минуты после этого Монморенси выказал первый признак удовлетворения, /которое/ он проявил с тех пор, как мы отправились /в путь/; to exhibit — показывать, выказывать, выражать), and rolled over on his side, and spread his legs out (и перевернулся на бок, и вытянул лапы); and then I said, "Ah!" and bent my head back (и откинул голову назад; to bend — сгибать, гнуть), and bumped it against one of the hoops, but I did not mind it (и ударился ей об одну из дуг, но не придал этому значения). I did not even swear (я даже не выругался).


breadth [bredT] exhibited [Ig'zIbItId]


For five-and-thirty minutes not a sound was heard throughout the length and breadth of that boat, save the clank of cutlery and crockery, and the steady grinding of four sets of molars. At the end of five-and-thirty minutes, Harris said, "Ah!" and took his left leg out from under him and put his right one there instead.

Five minutes afterwards, George said, "Ah!" too, and threw his plate out on the bank; and, three minutes later than that, Montmorency gave the first sign of contentment he had exhibited since we had started, and rolled over on his side, and spread his legs out; and then I said, "Ah!" and bent my head back, and bumped it against one of the hoops, but I did not mind it. I did not even swear.


How good one feels when one is full (как хорошо себя чувствуешь, когда сыт; full — полный, заполненный; довольный, сытый) — how satisfied with ourselves and with the world (как доволен собой и /всем/ миром)! People who have tried it, tell me that a clear conscience makes you very happy and contented (люди, которые испытали/пережили это, говорят мне, что чистая совесть делает человека очень счастливым и довольным); but a full stomach does the business quite as well (но полный желудок делает это /дело/ примерно так же), and is cheaper, and more easily obtained (но это дешевле и этого легче достичь; to obtain — получать; достигать). One feels so forgiving and generous after a substantial and well-digested meal (чувствуешь себя таким всепрощающим и благородным после основательного и хорошо переваренного приема пищи) — so noble-minded, so kindly-hearted (таким великодушным, таким добросердечным).

It is very strange, this domination of our intellect by our digestive organs (очень странно это господство над нашим рассудком пищеварительных органов; domination — преобладание; господство, власть). We cannot work, we cannot think, unless our stomach wills so (мы не можем работать, не можем думать, если наш желудок не пожелает этого). It dictates to us our emotions, our passions (он диктует нам наши эмоции, наши страсти). After eggs and bacon, it says, "Work!" (после яичницы с беконом он говорит «Работай»). After beefsteak and porter, it says, "Sleep!" (после бифштекса и портера говорит: «Спи»). After a cup of tea (two spoonsful for each cup, and don't let it stand more than three minutes) (после чашки чая /две ложки на каждую чашку, и не дайте чаю настаиваться больше трех минут/), it says to the brain, "Now, rise, and show your strength (он говорит мозгу: «Теперь поднимайся и покажи свою силу). Be eloquent, and deep, and tender (будь красноречивым, серьезным и нежным); see, with a clear eye, into Nature and into life (всмотрись ясным взором в Природу и жизнь); spread your white wings of quivering thought (расправь свои белые крылья трепещущей мысли), and soar, a god-like spirit, over the whirling world beneath you (и воспари богоподобным духом над суетным миром под тобою; whirl — кружение, вихрь; спешка, суматоха), up through long lanes of flaming stars to the gates of eternity (ввысь через длинные коридоры пылающих звезд к вратам вечности; lane — узкая дорога, тропинка; flaming — пламенеющий, пылающий; яркий, сверкающий)!"


stomach ['stVm@k] substantial [s@b'stamp;nS(@)l] eloquent ['el@kw@nt]


How good one feels when one is full — how satisfied with ourselves and with the world! People who have tried it, tell me that a clear conscience makes you very happy and contented; but a full stomach does the business quite as well, and is cheaper, and more easily obtained. One feels so forgiving and generous after a substantial and well-digested meal — so noble-minded, so kindly-hearted.

It is very strange, this domination of our intellect by our digestive organs. We cannot work, we cannot think, unless our stomach wills so. It dictates to us our emotions, our passions. After eggs and bacon, it says, "Work!" After beefsteak and porter, it says, "Sleep!" After a cup of tea (two spoonsful for each cup, and don't let it stand more than three minutes), it says to the brain, "Now, rise, and show your strength. Be eloquent, and deep, and tender; see, with a clear eye, into Nature and into life; spread your white wings of quivering thought, and soar, a god-like spirit, over the whirling world beneath you, up through long lanes of flaming stars to the gates of eternity!"


After hot muffins, it says (после горячих оладий желудок говорит), "Be dull and soulless, like a beast of the field (будь туп и бездушен, как скотина в поле; beast of the field — полевые животные, скот) — a brainless animal, with listless eye (безмозглым животным с безразличным взглядом), unlit by any ray of fancy, or of hope, or fear, or love, or life (в котором не светится ни воображение, ни надежда, ни страх, ни любовь, ни жизнь: «не освещенным ни проблеском…»)." And after brandy, taken in sufficient quantity, it says (а после бренди, употребленного в достаточном количестве, он говорит; to take — брать), "Now, come, fool, grin and tumble, that your fellow-men may laugh (теперь давай, дурачься, ухмыляйся и кувыркайся, чтобы твои товарищи могли посмеяться) — drivel in folly, and splutter in senseless sounds (болтай чепуху и издавай бессмысленные звуки; to drivel — нести бред, пороть чушь; folly — глупость, недомыслие, безумство; чушь; to splutter — говорить быстро и бессвязно, лопотать), and show what a helpless ninny is poor man (и покажи, каким беспомощным дурачком становится несчастный человек) whose wit and will are drowned, like kittens (чьи ум и воля утоплены, словно котята), side by side, in half an inch of alcohol (в полудюйме алкоголя)."

We are but the veriest, sorriest slaves of our stomach (мы — лишь жалкие рабы желудка). Reach not after morality and righteousness, my friends (не стремитесь к нравственности и праведности, мои друзья); watch vigilantly your stomach, and diet it with care and judgment (наблюдайте бдительно за своим желудком и питайте его с осторожностью и рассудительностью). Then virtue and contentment will come and reign within your heart (тогда добродетель и удовлетворение придут и воцарятся у вас в сердце), unsought by any effort of your own (без всяких усилий с вашей стороны; unsought — непрошеный; легко полученный /не потребовавший поисков, усилий и т.д./); and you will be a good citizen, a loving husband (и вы станете хорошим гражданином, любящим мужем), and a tender father — a noble, pious man (нежным отцом — благородным, благочестивым человеком).


drivel [drIvl] alcohol ['amp;lk@hOl] righteousness ['raItS@snIs] pious ['paI@s]


After hot muffins, it says, "Be dull and soulless, like a beast of the field — a brainless animal, with listless eye, unlit by any ray of fancy, or of hope, or fear, or love, or life." And after brandy, taken in sufficient quantity, it says, "Now, come, fool, grin and tumble, that your fellow-men may laugh — drivel in folly, and splutter in senseless sounds, and show what a helpless ninny is poor man whose wit and will are drowned, like kittens, side by side, in half an inch of alcohol."

We are but the veriest, sorriest slaves of our stomach. Reach not after morality and righteousness, my friends; watch vigilantly your stomach, and diet it with care and judgment. Then virtue and contentment will come and reign within your heart, unsought by any effort of your own; and you will be a good citizen, a loving husband, and a tender father — a noble, pious man.


Before our supper, Harris and George and I were quarrelsome and snappy and ill-tempered (перед ужином Гаррис, Джордж и я были сварливыми, раздражительными и с плохим характером); after our supper, we sat and beamed on one another (после ужина мы сидели и радостно улыбались друг другу; to beam — сиять, испускать лучи; широко, радостно улыбаться), and we beamed upon the dog, too (а также улыбались собаке). We loved each other, we loved everybody (мы любили друг друга, любили всех). Harris, in moving about, trod on George's corn (Гаррис, переходя на другое место, наступил Джорджу на мозоль; to tread). Had this happened before supper (случись это до ужина), George would have expressed wishes and desires concerning Harris's fate in this world and the next (Джордж бы высказал /разные/ пожелания относительно судьбы Гарриса в этом мире и следующем; wish — /по/желание, просьба; desire — /страстное/ желание, пожелание) that would have made a thoughtful man shudder (которые заставили бы мыслящего человека содрогнуться; thoughtful — задумчивый; погруженный в размышления; вдумчивый).

As it was, he said (а на самом деле он сказал): "Steady, old man (осторожно, старина); 'ware wheat (легче на поворотах; 'ware = aware — знающий, осведомленный; осторожно! берегись!: «смотри не наступай на мою пшеницу»; wheat — пшеница)."

And Harris, instead of merely observing, in his most unpleasant tones (а Гаррис, вместо того, чтобы просто заметить самым неприятным тоном), that a fellow could hardly help treading on some bit of George's foot (что товарищ едва ли может не наступить = что нельзя не наступить на какую-либо часть ноги Джорджа), if he had to move about at all within ten yards of where George was sitting (если вообще приходится переходить на другое место: «передвигаться» на расстоянии не более десяти ярдов от /того места/, где сидит Джордж), suggesting that George never ought to come into an ordinary sized boat with feet that length (намекая, что Джорджу вообще не следовало бы садиться: «входить» в лодку обычного размера с ногами такой длины), and advising him to hang them over the side (и советуя ему свесить их за борт), as he would have done before supper, now said (как он /Гаррис/ сделал бы до ужина, теперь сказал): "Oh, I'm so sorry, old chap (о, извини, дружище); I hope I haven't hurt you (надеюсь, я не причинил тебе боль)."


treading ['tredIN] desire [dI'zaI@] unpleasant [Vn'plez(@)nt]


Before our supper, Harris and George and I were quarrelsome and snappy and ill-tempered; after our supper, we sat and beamed on one another, and we beamed upon the dog, too. We loved each other, we loved everybody. Harris, in moving about, trod on George's corn. Had this happened before supper, George would have expressed wishes and desires concerning Harris's fate in this world and the next that would have made a thoughtful man shudder.

As it was, he said: "Steady, old man; `ware wheat."

And Harris, instead of merely observing, in his most unpleasant tones, that a fellow could hardly help treading on some bit of George's foot, if he had to move about at all within ten yards of where George was sitting, suggesting that George never ought to come into an ordinary sized boat with feet that length, and advising him to hang them over the side, as he would have done before supper, now said: "Oh, I'm so sorry, old chap; I hope I haven't hurt you."


And George said: "Not at all (нисколько/вовсе нет);" that it was his fault (что это его вина); and Harris said no, it was his (а Гаррис говорит, что нет, его).

It was quite pretty to hear them (было очень приятно слушать их).

We lit our pipes, and sat, looking out on the quiet night, and talked (мы зажгли трубки и сидели, выглядывая /из-под брезента/ на тихую ночь, и разговаривали).

George said why could not we be always like this (Джордж спросил, почему мы не можем всегда быть такими) — away from the world, with its sin and temptation (вдали от мира, с его грехами и искушениями), leading sober, peaceful lives, and doing good (вести умеренную, спокойную жизнь и творить добро). I said it was the sort of thing I had often longed for myself (я сказал, что часто сам очень этого хотел; to long — очень хотеть, страстно желать; стремиться); and we discussed the possibility of our going away, we four (и мы /стали/ обсуждать возможность нашего ухода, нас четверых), to some handy, well-fitted desert island, and living there in the woods (на какой-нибудь удобный, хорошо обставленный необитаемый остров и проживания там в лесу).

Harris said that the danger about desert islands, as far as he had heard (Гаррис сказал, что опасность необитаемых островов, насколько он слышал), was that they were so damp (состоит в том, что они очень сырые): but George said no, not if properly drained (но Джордж сказал «нет», если они хорошенько осушены).


fault [fO:lt] desert ['dez@t]


And George said: "Not at all;" that it was his fault; and Harris said no, it was his.

It was quite pretty to hear them.

We lit our pipes, and sat, looking out on the quiet night, and talked.

George said why could not we be always like this — away from the world, with its sin and temptation, leading sober, peaceful lives, and doing good. I said it was the sort of thing I had often longed for myself; and we discussed the possibility of our going away, we four, to some handy, well-fitted desert island, and living there in the woods.

Harris said that the danger about desert islands, as far as he had heard, was that they were so damp: but George said no, not if properly drained.


And then we got on to drains (затем мы заговорили про осушение; to get on to — заниматься; приниматься за; drain — дренажная канава, система осушения), and that put George in mind of a very funny thing that happened to his father once (и это напомнило Джорджу об одном очень забавном случае, который произошел однажды с его отцом). He said his father was travelling with another fellow through Wales (что его отец путешествовал с одним человеком по Уэльсу), and, one night, they stopped at a little inn (и однажды вечером они остановились в маленькой гостинице), where there were some other fellows, and they joined the other fellows (где были другие люди = постояльцы, и они присоединились к ним), and spent the evening with them (и провели с ними вечер; to spend).

They had a very jolly evening, and sat up late (у них был очень веселый вечер, и они засиделись /допоздна/), and, by the time they came to go to bed (и, к тому времени, когда они отправились спать), they (this was when George's father was a very young man) were slightly jolly, too (они /это происходило, когда отец Джорджа был очень молод/ были слегка навеселе). They (George's father and George's father's friend) were to sleep in the same room, but in different beds (они /отец Джорджа и приятель отца Джорджа/ должны были спать в одной комнате, но в разных кроватях). They took the candle, and went up (они взяли свечу и поднялись наверх). The candle lurched up against the wall when they got into the room, and went out (свеча наклонилась к стене = ударилась о стену, когда они входили в комнату, и погасла), and they had to undress and grope into bed in the dark (и им пришлось раздеваться и ощупью искать кровати в темноте). This they did (это они сделали); but, instead of getting into separate beds, as they thought they were doing (но, вместо того, чтобы лечь на разные кровати, как они думали /что ложатся/), they both climbed into the same one without knowing it (они оба влезли в одну и ту же, не зная этого) — one getting in with his head at the top (один залез головой сверху = к подушке), and the other crawling in from the opposite side of the compass (а другой вполз с противоположной стороны; compass — граница, предел; окружность, компас), and lying with his feet on the pillow (оказавшись лежащим своими ногами на подушке).


separate ['sep(@)rIt] climb [klaIm] opposite ['Op@zIt]


And then we got on to drains, and that put George in mind of a very funny thing that happened to his father once. He said his father was travelling with another fellow through Wales, and, one night, they stopped at a little inn, where there were some other fellows, and they joined the other fellows, and spent the evening with them.

They had a very jolly evening, and sat up late, and, by the time they came to go to bed, they (this was when George's father was a very young man) were slightly jolly, too. They (George's father and George's father's friend) were to sleep in the same room, but in different beds. They took the candle, and went up. The candle lurched up against the wall when they got into the room, and went out, and they had to undress and grope into bed in the dark. This they did; but, instead of getting into separate beds, as they thought they were doing, they both climbed into the same one without knowing it — one getting in with his head at the top, and the other crawling in from the opposite side of the compass, and lying with his feet on the pillow.


There was silence for a moment, and then George's father said (минуту была тишина, а потом отец Джорджа сказал):

"Joe (Джо)!"

"What's the matter, Tom (что случилось, Том)?" replied Joe's voice from the other end of the bed (ответил голос Джо с другого конца кровати).

"Why, there's a man in my bed (ну, в моей постели какой-то человек)," said George's father; "here's his feet on my pillow (его ноги на моей подушке)."

"Well, it's an extraordinary thing, Tom (удивительная вещь, Том)," answered the other (ответил тот); "but I'm blest if there isn't a man in my bed, too (но черт меня побери, если в моей постели тоже не лежит какой-то человек = черт возьми, да в моей постели тоже кто-то лежит)!"


There was silence for a moment, and then George's father said:

"Joe!"

"What's the matter, Tom?" replied Joe's voice from the other end of the bed.

"Why, there's a man in my bed," said George's father; "here's his feet on my pillow."

"Well, it's an extraordinary thing, Tom," answered the other; "but I'm blest if there isn't a man in my bed, too!"


"What are you going to do (что ты собираешься делать)?" asked George's father.

"Well, I'm going to chuck him out (собираюсь вытолкнуть/скинуть его; to chuck — /легонько/ бросить; кинуть; швырнуть)," replied Joe.

"So am I (я тоже)," said George's father, valiantly (храбро сказал отец Джорджа).

There was a brief struggle, followed by two heavy bumps on the floor (произошла короткая борьба, за которой последовали два тяжелых удара об пол; bump — столкновение; глухой тяжелый удар), and then a rather doleful voice said (а потом весьма печальный/страдальческий голос сказал):

"I say, Tom (послушай, Том)!"

"Yes!"


valiantly ['vamp;lI@ntlI] brief [bri:f]


"What are you going to do?" asked George's father.

"Well, I'm going to chuck him out," replied Joe.

"So am I," said George's father, valiantly.

There was a brief struggle, followed by two heavy bumps on the floor, and then a rather doleful voice said:

"I say, Tom!"

"Yes!"


"How have you got on (как у тебя дела)?"

"Well, to tell you the truth, my man's chucked me out (ну, сказать по правде, мой человек вытолкнул меня)."

"So's mine (мой тоже)! I say, I don't think much of this inn, do you (знаешь, мне не особенно нравится эта гостиница, а тебе)?"

"What was the name of that inn (как называлась та гостиница)?" said Harris.

"The Pig and Whistle (Свинья и Свисток; pigs and whistles — всякая ерунда, мелочи)," said George. "Why (а что)?"

"Ah, no, then it isn't the same (а, нет, тогда это не та)," replied Harris.


"How have you got on?"

"Well, to tell you the truth, my man's chucked me out."

"So's mine! I say, I don't think much of this inn, do you?"

"What was the name of that inn?" said Harris.

"The Pig and Whistle," said George. "Why?"

"Ah, no, then it isn't the same," replied Harris.


"What do you mean (что ты имеешь в виду)?" queried George (спросил Джордж; to query — спрашивать, осведомляться, уточнять).

"Why it's so curious (это очень любопытно)," murmured Harris (пробормотал Гаррис), "but precisely that very same thing happened to my father once at a country inn (точно такой же случай произошел однажды с моим отцом в одной деревенской гостинице). I've often heard him tell the tale (я часто слышал, как он рассказывал эту историю). I thought it might have been the same inn (я думал, это, может быть, та же самая гостиница)."

We turned in at ten that night, and I thought I should sleep well, being tired (мы легли спать в десять в тот вечер, и я подумал, что буду хорошо спать, утомившись); but I didn't (но нет). As a rule, I undress and put my head on the pillow (как правило, я раздеваюсь и кладу голову на подушку), and then somebody bangs at the door, and says it is half-past eight (а потом кто-нибудь стучит в дверь и говорит, что сейчас полдевятого): but, to-night, everything seemed against me (но сегодня вечером, казалось, все было против меня); the novelty of it all, the hardness of the boat, the cramped position (новизна всего этого, жесткость лодки, стесненная = неудобная поза) (I was lying with my feet under one seat, and my head on another) (я лежал, положив ноги под одно сиденье, а голову — на другое), the sound of the lapping water round the boat (звук плещущейся воды вокруг лодки), and the wind among the branches, kept me restless and disturbed (и ветер в ветвях — все это держало меня беспокойным и встревоженным = беспокоило и тревожило меня; to keep — держать, удерживать).


query ['kwI@rI] branch [brA:ntS]


"What do you mean?" queried George.

"Why it's so curious," murmured Harris, "but precisely that very same thing happened to my father once at a country inn. I've often heard him tell the tale. I thought it might have been the same inn."

We turned in at ten that night, and I thought I should sleep well, being tired; but I didn't. As a rule, I undress and put my head on the pillow, and then somebody bangs at the door, and says it is half-past eight: but, to-night, everything seemed against me; the novelty of it all, the hardness of the boat, the cramped position (I was lying with my feet under one seat, and my head on another), the sound of the lapping water round the boat, and the wind among the branches, kept me restless and disturbed.


I did get to sleep for a few hours (я заснул на несколько часов), and then some part of the boat which seemed to have grown up in the night (потом какая-то часть лодки, которая, видимо, выросла ночью) — for it certainly was not there when we started, and it had disappeared by the morning (потому что ее, несомненно, там не было, когда мы отправились в путь, и она исчезла к утру) — kept digging into my spine (продолжала вонзаться = все время вонзалась мне в спину; spine — позвоночник, спинной хребет). I slept through it for a while, dreaming that I had swallowed a sovereign (я спал через это = терпя это некоторое время, и мне снилось, что я проглотил соверен), and that they were cutting a hole in my back with a gimlet, so as to try and get it out (и что делают дыру в моей спине буравчиком, чтобы вытащить ее /эту часть лодки/). I thought it very unkind of them, and I told them I would owe them the money (я подумал, это очень недобро = нехорошо с их стороны, и сказал, что буду должен им эти деньги /соверен/), and they should have it at the end of the month (и они получат его в конце месяца). But they would not hear of that, and said it would be much better if they had it then (но они не стали слушать и сказали, что будет намного лучше, если они получат это сейчас), because otherwise the interest would accumulate so (потому что в противном случае нарастут проценты; to accumulate — накапливать/ся/, собирать/ся/, нарастать). I got quite cross with them after a bit, and told them what I thought of them (я совсем рассердился на них через некоторое время и сказал им, что я о них думаю; cross — пересекающийся, перекрестный; злой, раздраженный, сердитый), and then they gave the gimlet such an excruciating wrench that I woke up (и тогда они так мучительно = резко повернули буравчик, что я проснулся; wrench — выкручивание, дерганье, рывок; to wake up).


sovereign ['sOvrIn] money ['mVnI] excruciating [Ik'skru:SIeItIN]


I did get to sleep for a few hours, and then some part of the boat which seemed to have grown up in the night — for it certainly was not there when we started, and it had disappeared by the morning — kept digging into my spine. I slept through it for a while, dreaming that I had swallowed a sovereign, and that they were cutting a hole in my back with a gimlet, so as to try and get it out. I thought it very unkind of them, and I told them I would owe them the money, and they should have it at the end of the month. But they would not hear of that, and said it would be much better if they had it then, because otherwise the interest would accumulate so. I got quite cross with them after a bit, and told them what I thought of them, and then they gave the gimlet such an excruciating wrench that I woke up.


The boat seemed stuffy, and my head ached (лодка казалось душной = в лодке было душно, и у меня болела голова); so I thought I would step out into the cool night-air (поэтому я решил выйти на прохладный ночной воздух). I slipped on what clothes I could find about (я накинул/надел одежду, что смог найти) — some of my own, and some of George's and Harris's (частично мою собственную, частично Джорджа и Гарриса) — and crept under the canvas on to the bank (и выполз из-под парусины на берег).

It was a glorious night (была великолепная ночь). The moon had sunk, and left the quiet earth alone with the stars (луна зашла /за тучи/ и оставила тихую землю наедине со звездами; to sink; to leave). It seemed as if, in the silence and the hush, while we her children slept (казалось, будто в безмолвии и тишине, пока мы, ее дети, спим), they were talking with her, their sister (они говорят с ней, их сестрой) — conversing of mighty mysteries in voices too vast and deep for childish human ears to catch the sound (беседуют о великих тайнах голосами, слишком широкими и глубокими, чтобы детские людские уши = слух мог уловить их; vast — обширный, громадный, безбрежный; sound — звук, шум).

They awe us, these strange stars, so cold, so clear (они внушают нам благоговейный страх, эти странные звезды, такие холодные, такие ясные). We are as children whose small feet have strayed into some dim-lit temple of the god (мы — словно дети, чьи маленькие ножки забрели в тускло освещенный храм божества; to stray — сбиться с пути, заблудиться; скитаться) they have been taught to worship but know not (/которого/ их научили почитать, но которого они не знают; to teach; to worship — поклоняться, почитать, боготворить); and, standing where the echoing dome spans the long vista of the shadowy light (и, стоя /там/, где гулкий купол простирается над длинным рядом призрачных огней; to span — охватывать; простираться; vista — перспектива, вид /в конце аллеи и т.д./; аллея, вереница) glance up, half hoping, half afraid to see some awful vision hovering there (смотрят вверх, и надеясь, и боясь: «полунадеясь и полубоясь» увидеть величественное видение, парящее там; to glance up — поднять голову и бросить взгляд; awful — ужасный, внушающий страх, благоговение).


echoing ['ek@uIN] awful ['O:ful]


The boat seemed stuffy, and my head ached; so I thought I would step out into the cool night-air. I slipped on what clothes I could find about — some of my own, and some of George's and Harris's — and crept under the canvas on to the bank.

It was a glorious night. The moon had sunk, and left the quiet earth alone with the stars. It seemed as if, in the silence and the hush, while we her children slept, they were talking with her, their sister — conversing of mighty mysteries in voices too vast and deep for childish human ears to catch the sound.

They awe us, these strange stars, so cold, so clear. We are as children whose small feet have strayed into some dim-lit temple of the god they have been taught to worship but know not; and, standing where the echoing dome spans the long vista of the shadowy light, glance up, half hoping, half afraid to see some awful vision hovering there.


And yet it seems so full of comfort and of strength, the night (и все же наполненной утешением и силой кажется ночь). In its great presence, our small sorrows creep away, ashamed (в ее великом присутствии наши маленькие горести уползают, пристыженные). The day has been so full of fret and care (день был настолько полон раздражением и заботой), and our hearts have been so full of evil and of bitter thoughts (и наши сердца были столь полны зла и горьких мыслей), and the world has seemed so hard and wrong to us (и мир казался нам таким жестоким и несправедливым). Then Night, like some great loving mother (Ночь, словно великая любящая мать), gently lays her hand upon our fevered head (нежно кладет свою руку на нашу лихорадочную голову), and turns our little tear-stained faces up to hers, and smiles (и поднимает наши маленькие заплаканные лица к своему = смотрит в наши заплаканные лица и улыбается); and, though she does not speak, we know what she would say (и, хотя она не говорит, мы знаем, что она хочет сказать), and lay our hot flushed cheek against her bosom, and the pain is gone (и прижимаемся горячей, пылающей щекой к ее груди; и боль прошла; flush — залитый краской, румяный; to flush — выходить из берегов; приливать /о крови, например, к лицу/, вспыхнуть, /по/краснеть).

Sometimes, our pain is very deep and real, and we stand before her very silent (иногда наша боль очень глубока и подлинна, и мы стоим перед ней очень молчаливые = в полном молчании), because there is no language for our pain, only a moan (потому что не существует языка для нашей боли, только стон = словами ее не выразить, только стоном). Night's heart is full of pity for us: she cannot ease our aching (сердце ночи полно жалости к нам: она не может облегчить нашу боль); she takes our hand in hers, and the little world grows very small and very far away beneath us (она берет нашу руку в свою, и маленький мир становится очень маленьким и очень далеким под нами = мы взлетаем над этим маленьким миром), and, borne on her dark wings (и, вознесенные на ее темных крыльях; to bear — /пере/возить, /пере/носить; выдерживать, поддерживать), we pass for a moment into a mightier Presence than her own (мы на минуту переходим в более могущественное присутствие, чем ее = оказываемся перед кем-то более могущественным, чем она; presence — присутствие; соседство, близость), and in the wondrous light of that great Presence (и в удивительном свете этой великой силы), all human life lies like a book before us (вся человеческая жизнь лежит перед нами, словно /раскрытая/ книга), and we know that Pain and Sorrow are but the angels of God (и мы знаем, что Боль и Печаль — всего лишь ангелы Господа).


presence ['prez(@)ns] fevered ['fi:v@d] aching ['eIkIN] wondrous ['wVndr@s]


And yet it seems so full of comfort and of strength, the night. In its great presence, our small sorrows creep away, ashamed. The day has been so full of fret and care, and our hearts have been so full of evil and of bitter thoughts, and the world has seemed so hard and wrong to us. Then Night, like some great loving mother, gently lays her hand upon our fevered head, and turns our little tear-stained faces up to hers, and smiles; and, though she does not speak, we know what she would say, and lay our hot flushed cheek against her bosom, and the pain is gone.

Sometimes, our pain is very deep and real, and we stand before her very silent, because there is no language for our pain, only a moan. Night's heart is full of pity for us: she cannot ease our aching; she takes our hand in hers, and the little world grows very small and very far away beneath us, and, borne on her dark wings, we pass for a moment into a mightier Presence than her own, and in the wondrous light of that great Presence, all human life lies like a book before us, and we know that Pain and Sorrow are but the angels of God.


Only those who have worn the crown of suffering can look upon that wondrous light (лишь те, кто носил венец страдания, могут взглянуть на этот чудесный свет; to wear; crown — венок, венец; корона); and they, when they return, may not speak of it, or tell the mystery they know (и они, когда возвращаются /на землю/, не могут говорить о нем и рассказать о тайне, которую знают).

Once upon a time, through a strange country, there rode some goodly knights (когда-то давным-давно по чужой стране ехали верхом славные рыцари; to ride; goodly — прекрасный, великолепный; хорошо выглядящий), and their path lay by a deep wood, where tangled briars grew very thick and strong (и их путь лежал через дремучий лес, где спутанный колючий кустарник рос очень плотно и сильно = где тесно переплелись густые заросли шиповника; briar — колючий кустарник, кусты с шипами; шиповник; to grow — расти), and tore the flesh of them that lost their way therein (и терзали плоть тех, кто заблудился там; to tear — разрывать/ся/; царапать, ранить; to lose; therein — здесь, там, в том). And the leaves of the trees that grew in the wood were very dark and thick (и листья деревьев, что росли в том лесу, были очень темные и плотные), so that no ray of light came through the branches to lighten the gloom and sadness (так что ни один луч света не проникал через ветви, чтобы рассеять мрак и печаль; to lighten — светлеть, осветлять; рассеивать тьму).

And, as they passed by that dark wood (и, когда они проезжали по тому темному лесу), one knight of those that rode, missing his comrades (один рыцарь из тех, что ехали = один из рыцарей потерял своих товарищей; to miss — упустить, пропустить; не заметить), wandered far away, and returned to them no more (блуждал вдалеке/заблудился, и больше к ним не вернулся; to wander — бродить, скитаться; заблудиться); and they, sorely grieving, rode on without him (и они, глубоко опечаленные, продолжали скакать без него; sorely — болезненно, мучительно; очень, крайне; to grieve — /глубоко/ опечаливать; горевать, убиваться), mourning him as one dead (оплакивая его как погибшего).


knight [naIt] briar ['braI@] comrade ['kOmr(e)Id] mourning ['mO:nIN]


Only those who have worn the crown of suffering can look upon that wondrous light; and they, when they return, may not speak of it, or tell the mystery they know.

Once upon a time, through a strange country, there rode some goodly knights, and their path lay by a deep wood, where tangled briars grew very thick and strong, and tore the flesh of them that lost their way therein. And the leaves of the trees that grew in the wood were very dark and thick, so that no ray of light came through the branches to lighten the gloom and sadness.

And, as they passed by that dark wood, one knight of those that rode, missing his comrades, wandered far away, and returned to them no more; and they, sorely grieving, rode on without him, mourning him as one dead.


Now, when they reached the fair castle towards which they had been journeying (теперь, когда они достигли прекрасного замка, к которому направлялись; to journey — путешествовать, совершать поездку), they stayed there many days, and made merry (они пробыли там много дней, пируя/веселясь); and one night, as they sat in cheerful ease around the logs that burned in the great hall (и однажды вечером, когда они сидели весело и беззаботно: «в веселой беззаботности» у огня, пылающего в огромном зале; log — бревно, колода, чурбан), and drank a loving measure, there came the comrade they had lost, and greeted them (и осушали большие кубки, вошел товарищ, которого они потеряли, и поприветствовал их; to drink; loving — верный, любящий, преданный; measure — мера, степень). His clothes were ragged, like a beggar's (его одежда была разорвана, как у нищего; ragged — рваный, изорванный /в клочья/; одетый в лохмотья), and many sad wounds were on his sweet flesh (и множество тяжелых ран было на его прекрасном теле; sweet — сладкий; приятный, милый /о внешности/), but upon his face there shone a great radiance of deep joy (но его лицо светилось великой, глубокой радостью; to shine; radiance — сияние).

And they questioned him, asking him what had befallen him (и они спрашивали его, что с ним произошло; to befall-befell-befallen): and he told them how in the dark wood he had lost his way (и он рассказал им, как заблудился в темном лесу), and had wandered many days and nights (и блуждал много дней и ночей), till, torn and bleeding, he had lain him down to die (пока, исцарапанный и обессиленный, не лег, чтобы умереть; to bleed — истекать кровью).


measure ['meZ@] wound [wu:nd]


Now, when they reached the fair castle towards which they had been journeying, they stayed there many days, and made merry; and one night, as they sat in cheerful ease around the logs that burned in the great hall, and drank a loving measure, there came the comrade they had lost, and greeted them. His clothes were ragged, like a beggar's, and many sad wounds were on his sweet flesh, but upon his face there shone a great radiance of deep joy.

And they questioned him, asking him what had befallen him: and he told them how in the dark wood he had lost his way, and had wandered many days and nights, till, torn and bleeding, he had lain him down to die.


Then, when he was nigh unto death (когда он был близок к смерти), lo! through the savage gloom there came to him a stately maiden (вдруг из зловещей тьмы к нему вышла величавая девушка; lo — вот! слушай! и вдруг!; savage — грубый, дикий; свирепый, злой), and took him by the hand and led him on through devious paths, unknown to any man (взяла его за руку и повела по извилистым тропам, неизвестным никому; to lead; devious — удаленный, уединенный; извилистый, окольный; devious paths — окольные пути), until upon the darkness of the wood there dawned a light (пока в темноте леса не забрезжил свет; to dawn — рассветать; проясняться, пробиваться, доходить) such as the light of day was unto but as a little lamp unto the sun (такой, что свет дня был по сравнению с ним, как лишь маленький фонарь по сравнению с солнцем); and, in that wondrous light, our way-worn knight saw as in a dream a vision (и в этом удивительном свете наш утомленный рыцарь увидел, словно во сне, видение), and so glorious, so fair the vision seemed (и таким восхитительным и прекрасным казалось то видение), that of his bleeding wounds he thought no more, but stood as one entranced (что он больше не думал о своих кровоточащих ранах, а стоял как очарованный), whose joy is deep as is the sea, whereof no man can tell the depth (его радость была глубокой, словно море, глубину которого не может постичь никто; whereof — о чем, из чего, о котором).

And the vision faded, and the knight, kneeling upon the ground (и видение постепенно исчезло, и рыцарь, опускаясь на колени на землю; to fade — вянуть, увядать; исчезать, расплываться), thanked the good saint who into that sad wood had strayed his steps (возблагодарил добрую святую, которая в этом печальном/темном лесу увела его с дороги; to stray — сбиться с пути; заблудиться), so he had seen the vision that lay there hid (чтобы он увидел видение, что пребывало сокрытым здесь; to hide — прятать, скрывать).

And the name of the dark forest was Sorrow (а имя того темного леса было Горе); but of the vision that the good knight saw therein we may not speak nor tell (но о видении, которое добрый рыцарь увидел в нем/там, мы не можем ни сказать, ни рассказать).


devious ['di:vj@s] entranced [In'trA:nst] kneel [ni:l]


Then, when he was nigh unto death, lo! through the savage gloom there came to him a stately maiden, and took him by the hand and led him on through devious paths, unknown to any man, until upon the darkness of the wood there dawned a light such as the light of day was unto but as a little lamp unto the sun; and, in that wondrous light, our way-worn knight saw as in a dream a vision, and so glorious, so fair the vision seemed, that of his bleeding wounds he thought no more, but stood as one entranced, whose joy is deep as is the sea, whereof no man can tell the depth.

And the vision faded, and the knight, kneeling upon the ground, thanked the good saint who into that sad wood had strayed his steps, so he had seen the vision that lay there hid.

And the name of the dark forest was Sorrow; but of the vision that the good knight saw therein we may not speak nor tell.