Метод чтения Ильи Франка - Английский язык с Дж. Р. Р. Толкиеном. Хоббит

, smth. — губить, портить),” he said. “We need food (нам нужна пища), for one thing (прежде всего), and rest in reasonable safety (и отдых в разумной безопасности) — also it is very necessary (также это очень необходимо) to tackle the Misty Mountains by the proper path (подобраться к Мглистым Горам по правильной тропе; totackle— привязывать /tackle — снасти/; /энергично/ браться), or else you will get lost in them (или, в противном случае, вы заблудитесь в них), and have to come back (и /вам/ придется возвращаться) and start at the beginning again (и начинать снова с самого начала) (if you ever get back at all (если вы вообще
      вернетесь)).”
 
      They asked him (они спросили его) where he was making for (куда он направлялся; to make for — следовать, двигаться в каком-либо направлении), and he answered (и он ответил): “You are come to the very edge of the Wild (вы добрались до самого края Дикого /Края/), as some of you may know (как некоторые из вас могут знать). Hidden somewhere ahead of us (запрятанная где-то впереди от нас) is the fair valley of Rivendell (лежит красивая долина Ривенделл; fair — честный, благовидный) where Elrond lives (где живет Элронд) in the Last Homely House (в Последнем Домашнем/Уютном Жилище). I sent a message by my friends (я отправил сообщение с моими друзьями), and we are expected (и нас ожидают).”
      That sounded nice and comforting (это звучало очень успокаивающе; nice — хороший, милый, зд.: nice and второе прилагательное — эмоц. — усилительная конструкция), but they had not got there yet (но они еще до туда не добрались), and it was not so easy (и это было не так легко) as it sounds (как это звучало) to find the Last Homely House (отыскать Последнее Домашнее Жилище) west of the Mountains (к западу от Гор). There seemed to be no trees (казалось, что там не было ни деревьев) and no valleys (и ни долин) and no hills (и ни холмов) to break the ground (что нарушали бы целостность земли; to break — ломать, разбивать) in front of them (/лежащей/ перед ними), only one vast slope (только один обширный склон) going slowly up and up (поднимавшийся медленно все выше и выше) to meet the feet of the nearest mountain (чтобы достигнуть: «встретиться с» подножия ближайшей горы), a wide land the colour of heather (широкая земля, цвета вереска) and crumbling rock (и крошащиеся скалы: «трещиноватые породы»), with patches (с кусками земли) and slashes (и прорезями) of grass-green (травяной зелени) and moss-green (и зелени мха) showing where water might be (показывающие, где могла бы быть вода).
 
      reasonable ['ri: z(q)nqb(q)l] path [pQ: T] wild [waIld] hidden [hIdn] heather
      ['heDq] crumbling ['krAmblIN]
 
       Now Gandalf led the way. “We must not miss the road, or we shall be done for,” he said.
       “We need food, for one thing, and rest in reasonable safety — also it is very necessary to tackle the Misty Mountains by the proper path, or else you will get lost in them, and have to come back and start at the beginning again(if you ever get back at all).”
       They asked him where he was making for, and he answered:
 
       “You are come to the very edge of the Wild, as some of you may know. Hidden somewhere ahead of us is the fair valley of Rivendell where Elrond lives in the Last Homely House. I sent a message by my friends, and we are expected.”
       That sounded nice and comforting, but they had not got there yet, and it was not so easy as it sounds to find the Last Homely House west of the Mountains. There seemed to be no trees and no valleys and no hills to break the ground in front of them, only one vast slope going slowly up and up to meet the feet of the nearest mountain, a wide land the colour of heather and crumbling rock, with patches and slashes of grass-green and moss-green showing where water might be.
 
      Morning passed (утро прошло), afternoon came (наступил полдень); but in all the silent waste (но во всей это бесшумной пустоши) there was no sign of any dwelling (не было никаких признаков какого-либо обитания). They were growing anxious (они становились все более тревожными), for they now saw (так как они теперь видели) that the house might be hidden almost anywhere (что дом мог бы быть спрятан почти что в любом месте) between them and the mountains (между ними и горами). They came on unexpected valleys (они выходили на неожиданные долины), narrow with deep sides (узкие, с глубокими склонами), that opened suddenly at their feet (что открывались
      внезапно у их ног), and they looked down (и они смотрели вниз) surprised to see trees below them (удивленные увидеть /растущие/ ниже их деревья) and running water at the bottom (и бегущие речки: «воду» там, в глубине ; bottom — низ, нижняя часть). There were gullies (были там и лощины) that they could almost leap over (которые они могли почти что перепрыгнуть); but very deep (но очень уж глубокие) with waterfalls in them (с водопадами внутри них). There were dark ravines (были там и темные ущелья) that one could neither jump (которые никто не мог бы ни перепрыгнуть) nor climb into (ни взобраться /в них/). There were bogs (были там и трясины), some of them green pleasant places to look at (некоторые из них — зеленые местечки, на которые приятно взглянуть) with flowers growing bright and tall (с цветами ярко и пышно:
      «высоко» растущими /на них/); but a pony (но тот пони) that walked there with a pack on its back (который прошел бы там, с поклажей на спине) would never have come out again (никогда бы снова не выбрался). It was indeed (на самом деле это была) a much wider land (гораздо более широкая земля) from the ford to the mountains (от брода до гор) than ever you would have guessed (как вы бы могли когда-либо предположить). Bilbo was astonished (Бильбо был удивлен). The only path was marked with white stones (единственная тропинка была размечена белыми камнями) some of which were small (некоторые из которых были маленькие), and others were half covered with moss or heather (а другие были наполовину покрыты мхом или вереском). Altogether it was a very slow business (в целом, это оказалось очень медленным делом) following the track (следовать по этому пути), even guided by Gandalf (даже под руководством Гэндальфа; to guide — быть проводником, направлять), who seemed to know his way about pretty well (который, как казалось, очень хорошо знал свой путь).
 
      dwelling ['dwelIN] anxious ['xNkSqs] unexpected [AnIk'spektId] waterfall
 
      ['wO: tqfO: l] gully ['gAlI]
       Morning passed, afternoon came; but in all the silent waste there was no sign of any dwelling. They were growing anxious, for they now saw that the house might be hidden almost anywhere between them and the mountains. They came on unexpected valleys, narrow with deep sides, that opened suddenly at their feet, and they looked down surprised to see trees below them and running water at the bottom. There were gullies that they could almost leap over; but very deep with waterfalls in them. There were dark ravines that one could neither jump nor climb into. There were bogs, some of them green pleasant places to look at with flowers growing bright and tall; but a pony that walked there with a pack on its back would never have come out again. It was indeed a much wider land from the ford to the mountains than ever you would have guessed. Bilbo was astonished. The only path was marked with white stones some of which were small, and others were half covered with moss or heather. Altogether it was a very slow business following the track, even guided by Gandalf, who seemed to know his way about pretty well.
 
      His head and beard wagged this way and that (его голова и борода мотались из стороны в сторону; this way and that — туда и сюда) as he looked for the stones (когда он высматривал камни), and they followed his head (и они следовали за его головой), but they seemed no nearer to the end of the search (но они, казалось, не были ближе к концу поисков) when the day began to fail (когда день начал клониться к закату; to fail — потерпеть неудачу; слабеть). Tea— time had long gone by (время вечернего чая уже давно прошло), and it seemed supper-time would soon do the same (и, казалось, что время ужина скоро сделает тоже самое). There were moths fluttering about (ночные бабочки трепетали вокруг), and the light became very dim (и свет стал совсем уж тусклым), for the moon had not risen (так как луна еще не взошла). Bilbo’s pony began to stumble (пони Бильбо начал спотыкаться) over roots and stones (на корнях /деревьев/ и камнях; over — через). They came to the edge of a steep
      fall in the ground (они подошли к краю крутого обрыва; ground — земля, почва) so suddenly (так внезапно) that Gandalf s horse nearly slipped down the slope (что конь Гэндальфа чуть не соскользнул вниз по склону).
      “Here it is at last (вот она, наконец-то)!” he called (выкрикнул/позвал он), and the others gathered round him (и другие собрались вокруг него) and looked over the edge (и посмотрели через край /обрыва/). They saw a valley far below (они увидели долину далеко внизу). They could hear the voice of hurrying water (они могли слышать шум: «голос» спешащей воды) in rocky bed (по каменистому ложу; rock — скала, утес) at the bottom (в самом низу /долины/); the scent of trees was in the air (в воздухе витал: «был» запах деревьев); and there was a light (а также был огонь) on the valley-side (на берегу долины) across the water (за рекой).
 
      flutter ['flAtq] suddenly ['sAd(q)nlI] scent [sent]
 
       His head and beard wagged this way and that as he looked for the stones, and they followed his head, but they seemed no nearer to the end of the search when the day began to fail. Tea-time had long gone by, and it seemed supper— time would soon do the same. There were moths fluttering about, and the light became very dim, for the moon had not risen. Bilbo’s pony began to stumble over roots and stones. They came to the edge of a steep fall in the ground so suddenly that Gandalf s horse nearly slipped down the slope.
       “Here it is at last!” he called, and the others gathered round him and looked over the edge. They saw a valley far below. They could hear the voice of hurrying water in rocky bed at the bottom; the scent of trees was in the air; and there was a light on the valley-side across the water.
 
      Bilbo never forgot (Бильбо никогда не мог забыть) the way they slithered and slipped in the dusk (то, как они скользили и соскальзывали в сумерках; toslither — скользить; ползти /о рептилиях/) down the steep zig-zag path (вниз,
      по крутой извилистой тропе; zig-zag — зигзагообразный) into the secret valley of Rivendell (в таинственную долину Ривенделл). The air grew warmer (воздух становился теплее) as they got lower (когда они спускались ниже), and the smell of the pine-trees made him drowsy (и запах сосен нагнал на него сон:
      «сделал его сонным»), so that every now and again (и так, время от времени) he nodded (он клевал носом; to nod — кивать головой) and nearly fell off (и почти что падал /на землю/), or bumped his nose (или ударялся своим носом) on the pony’s neck (о шею пони). Their spirits rose (их настроение улучшилось; to rise (rose, risen) — восходить, подниматься) as they went down and down (когда они спускались все ниже и ниже). The trees changed to beech and oak (/сосновые/ деревья поменялись на буковые и дубовые), and here was a comfortable feeling in the twilight (и было некое успокаивающее чувство в этих сумерках). The last green had almost faded out of the grass (последний зеленый цвет почти что исчез с травы; to fade — вянуть; выгорать), when they came at length (когда они вышли, наконец; length — длина, расстояние) to an open glade (к открытой прогалине) not far above the banks of the stream (недалеко от берегов речки).
 
      slither ['slIDq] zigzag ['zIgzxg] drowsy ['draVzI]
 
       Bilbo never forgot the way they slithered and slipped in the dusk down the steep zig-zag path into the secret valley of Rivendell. The air grew warmer as they got lower, and the smell of the pine-trees made him drowsy, so that every now and again he nodded and nearly fell off, or bumped his nose on the pony’s neck. Their spirits rose as they went down and down. The trees changed to beech and oak, and here was a comfortable feeling in the twilight. The last green had almost faded out of the grass, when they came at length to an open glade not far above the banks of the stream.
 
      “Hmmm (гм)! it smells like elves (пахнет эльфами)!” thought Bilbo (подумал
      Бильбо), and he looked up at the stars (и он поднял глаза к звездам). They were burning bright and blue (они горели ярким голубым /светом/). Just then there came a burst of song (и как раз тогда раздалась внезапно песня; burst — взрыв, вспышка) like laughter in the trees (как смех, между деревьев):
 
      O! What are you doing (о, что вы делаете), And where are you going (и куда вы идете)?
      Your ponies need shoeing (ваши пони нуждаются в подковах; to shoe —
 
       обувать, подбивать)!
 
      The river is flowing (речка течет)!
 
      O! tra-la-la-lally (о, тра-ля-ля-ля-ли)
 
      here down in the valley (здесь, прямо в долине)!
 
      O! What are you seeking (о, что вы ищете),
 
      And where are you making (и куда вы направляетесь)? The faggots are reeking (вязанки хвороста дымятся), The bannocks are baking (большие лепешки пекутся)!
      O! tril-lil-lil-lolly (о, три-лил-лил-ло-ли)
 
      the valley is jolly (долина чудесна), ha (ха)! ha (ха)!
 
      O! Where are you going (о, куда вы идете)
 
      With beards all a-wagging (с бородами качающимися)? No knowing (неизвестно), no knowing (неизвестно)
      What brings Mister Baggins (что привело Мистера Бэггинса), And Balin and Dwalin (и Балина и Двалина)
      down into the valley (сюда, в долину)
 
      in June (в июне)
 
      ha (ха)! ha (ха)!
      O! Will you be staying (о, останетесь ли вы),
 
      Or will you be flying (или вы умчитесь: «улетите»)? Your ponies are straying (ваши пони сбились с пути)!
      The daylight is dying (и свет дневной угасает; to die — умирать, dying —
 
       умирание)!
 
      To fly would be folly (умчаться — будет глупо), To stay would be jolly (остаться — будет весело)
      And listen and hark (и слушать и прислушиваться) Till the end of the dark (до конца темноты)
      to our tune (к нашей мелодии)
 
      ha (ха)! ha (ха)!
 
      burning ['bq: nIN] laughter ['lQ: ftq] shoeing ['Su: IN] faggot ['fxgqt] bannock
 
      ['bxnqk] dying ['daIIN]
 
       “Hmmm! it smells like elves!” thought Bilbo, and he looked up at the stars. They were burning bright and blue. Just then there came a burst of song like laughter in the trees:
 
       O! What are you doing, And where are you going? Your ponies need shoeing! The river is flowing!
       O! tra-la-la-lally
 
       here down in the valley!
 
       O! What are you seeking, And where are you making? The faggots are reeking,
       The bannocks are baking!
       O! tril-lil-lil-lolly the valley is jolly,
       ha! ha!
 
       O! Where are you going With beards all a-wagging? No knowing, no knowing What brings Mister Baggins,
       And Balin and Dwalin down into the valley
       in June ha! ha!
 
       O! Will you be staying, Or will you be flying? Your ponies are straying! The daylight is dying!
       To fly would be folly, To stay would be jolly
       And listen and hark
 
       Till the end of the dark to our tune
       ha! ha!
 
      So they laughed and sang in the trees (так кто-то: «они» смеялся и пел в деревьях); and pretty fair nonsense (и довольно порядочную чепуху /несли они/) I daresay (как я полагаю) you think it (вы думаете /об этом/). Not that they would care (не то чтобы им уж было это так важно; to care — заботиться, беспокоиться) they would only laugh all the more (они бы только стали смеяться еще больше) if you told them so (если бы вы сказали им так). They
      were elves of course (они были эльфами, конечно же). Soon Bilbo caught glimpses of them (вскоре Бильбо мельком увидел их; glimpse — проблеск) as the darkness deepened (пока темнота усиливалась; to deepen — углубляться, делаться глубже; deep — глубокий). He loved elves (ему нравились эльфы), though he seldom met them (хотя он редко встречал их; to meet); but he was a little frightened of them too (но он так же и немного побаивался их). Dwarves don’t get on well with them (гномы не очень-то хорошо ладят с ними). Even decent enough dwarves (даже достаточно порядочные гномы) like Thorin and his friends (как Торин и его друзья) think them foolish (думают, что они глупые) (which is a very foolish thing to think (что очень глупо — думать так)), or get annoyed with them (или раздражаются на них). For some elves tease them (из-за того, что некоторые эльфы дразнят их) and laugh at them (и смеются над ними), and most of all at their beards (и больше всего над их бородами).
      “Well, well (ну, вот те и на)!” said a voice (сказал какой-то голос). “Just look (только взгляните)! Bilbo the hobbit on a pony, my dear (хоббит Бильбо верхом на пони, бог ты мой)! Isn’t it delicious (разве это не восхитительно)!”
      “Most astonishing wonderful (чрезвычайно изумительно-удивительно)!”
 
      nonsense ['nOns(q)ns] daresay [deq'seI] delicious [dI'lISqs]
 
       So they laughed and sang in the trees; and pretty fair nonsense I daresay you think it. Not that they would care they would only laugh all the more if you told them so. They were elves of course. Soon Bilbo caught glimpses of them as the darkness deepened. He loved elves, though he seldom met them; but he was a little frightened of them too. Dwarves don’t get on well with them. Even decent enough dwarves like Thorin and his friends think them foolish (which is a very foolish thing to think), or get annoyed with them. For some elves tease them and laugh at them, and most of all at their beards.
       “Well, well!” said a voice. “Just look! Bilbo the hobbit on a pony, my dear! Isn’t it delicious!”
       “Most astonishing wonderful!”
 
      Then off they went into another song (и затем они затянули другую песню; to go(went, gone) off — зд. разразиться) as ridiculous as the one (такую же смешную = нелепую, как и та) I have written down (которую я записал) in full (полностью). At last one, a tall young fellow (наконец один /из них/, высокий молодой паренек), came out from the trees and bowed to Gandalf and to Thorin (вышел из-за деревьев и поклонился Гэндальфу и Торину).
      “Welcome to the valley (добро пожаловать в долину)!” he said.
 
      “Thank you (благодарим)!” said Thorin a bit gruffly (сказал Торин чуть грубовато); but Gandalf was already off his horse (но Гэндальф уже спустился с лошади) and among the elves (и был среди эльфов), talking merrily with them (весело разговаривая с ними).
      “You are a little out of your way (вы немного сбились с пути),” said the elf (сказал эльф): “that is (это так), if you are making for the only path (если вы направляетесь к единственной тропе) across the water (через реку: «воду») and to the house beyond (и к дому за ней). We will set you right (мы направим вас по правильному /пути/), but you had best get on foot (но вам лучше всего спешиться: «встать на ноги»), until you are over the bridge (до тех пор, пока вы не пересечете мост; over — зд. указывает на местоположение по другую сторону чего-либо). Are you going to stay a bit (вы останетесь ненадолго) and sing with us (и попоете с нами), or will you go straight on (или вы сразу пойдете)? Supper is preparing over there (ужин готовится вон там),” he said. “I can smell the wood-fires (я чувствую запах горящих дров) for the cooking (/что развели/ для приготовления пищи).”
 
      ridiculous [rI'dIkjVlqs] gruffly ['grAflI] merrily ['merIlI] straight [streIt]
 
       Then off they went into another song as ridiculous as the one I have written down in full. At last one, a tall young fellow, came out from the trees and
       bowed to Gandalf and to Thorin. “Welcome to the valley!” he said.
       “Thank you!” said Thorin a bit gruffly; but Gandalf was already off his horse and among the elves, talking merrily with them.
       “You are a little out of your way,” said the elf: “that is, if you are making for the only path across the water and to the house beyond. We will set you right, but you had best get on foot, until you are over the bridge. Are you going to stay a bit and sing with us, or will you go straight on? Supper is preparing over there,” he said. “I can smell the wood-fires for the cooking.”
 
      Tired as he was (хотя и уставший), Bilbo would have liked to stay awhile (Бильбо бы с удовольствием остался на какое-то время). Elfish singing (пение эльфов) is not a thing to miss (это то, что не хочется пропустить), in June under the stars (в июне, под звездами), not if you care for such things (нельзя
      /пропустить/, если вы любите такие вещи).
 
      Also he would have liked (так же, ему бы хотелось) to have a few private words (перекинуться несколькими словами наедине; private — частный, личный) with these people (с этими людьми) that seemed to know his name and all about him (которые, как казалось знают его имя и все о нем), although he had never seen them before (хотя он никогда их раньше не видел). He thought (он подумал) their opinion of his adventure (что их мнение о его приключениях) might be interesting (могло бы быть интересным). Elves know a lot (эльфы знают много чего) and are wondrous folk for news (и они невиданный народец, когда дело касается новостей), and know what is going on (и узнают, что происходит) among the peoples of the land (среди людей, живущих на земле), as quick as water flows (также быстро, как течет вода), or quicker (или быстрее). But the dwarves were all for supper (но гномы были все за ужин; to be for smth. — стоять или быть за что-либо) as soon as possible just then (как можно скорее, и именно тогда), and would not stay (и не хотели остаться). On they all went (они все двинулись дальше), leading their ponies (ведя своих
      пони), till they were brought to a good path (пока их не привели к хорошей тропинке) and so at last (и также, наконец) to the very brink of the river (к самому берегу реки). It was flowing fast and noisily (она текла быстро и шумно), as mountain-streams do on a summer evening (как обычно и текут:
      «делают» горные речки летним вечером), when sun has been all day on the snow (когда солнце светило целый день на снег) far up above (высоко-высоко на вершинах). There was only a narrow bridge of stone (был там только маленький каменный мост) without a parapet (без перил), as narrow as a pony could well walk on (такой узкий, по которому пони смогут хорошо пройти); and over that they had to go (и им пришлось по нему пройти), slow and careful (медленно и осторожно), one by one (один за одним), each leading his pony by the bridle (и каждый вел своего пони под уздцы). The elves had brought bright lanterns to the shore (и эльфы принесли яркие фонари к берегу), and they sang a merry song (и они пели какую-то веселую песенку) as the party went across (пока вся группа переправлялась на ту сторону).
 
      awhile [q'waIl] private ['praIvIt] wondrous ['wAndrqs] parapet ['pxrq| pIt, — pet]
 
       Tired as he was, Bilbo would have liked to stay awhile. Elfish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars, not if you care for such things.
       Also he would have liked to have a few private words with these people that seemed to know his name and all about him, although he had never seen them before. He thought their opinion of his adventure might be interesting. Elves know a lot and are wondrous folk for news, and know what is going on among the peoples of the land, as quick as water flows, or quicker. But the dwarves were all for supper as soon as possible just then, and would not stay. On they all went, leading their ponies, till they were brought to a good path and so at last to the very brink of the river. It was flowing fast and noisily, as mountain— streams do on a summer evening, when sun has been all day on the snow far
       up above. There was only a narrow bridge of stone without a parapet, as narrow as a pony could well walk on; and over that they had to go, slow and careful, one by one, each leading his pony by the bridle. The elves had brought bright lanterns to the shore, and they sang a merry song as the party went across.
 
      “Don’t dip your beard in the foam, father (не макайте вашу бороду в барашки:
 
      «пену», папаша)!” they cried to Thorin (кричали они Торину), who was bent almost on to his hands and knees (который согнулся почти что в три погибели:
      «на свои руки и колени»). “It is long enough (она достаточно длинная) without watering it (и без /дополнительного/ полива).”
      “Mind Bilbo doesn’t eat all the cakes (обратите внимание, чтобы Бильбо не съел все кексы)!” they called (кричали они). “He is too fat (он слишком толстый) to get through key-holes yet (сейчас все еще, чтобы пролезать в замочные скважины)!”
      “Hush (тише), hush (тише)! Good People (Эльфы и Феи: «добрые люди»)! and good night (и доброй ночи)!” said Gandalf, who came last (сказал Гэндальф, который шел последним).
      “Valleys have ears (у долин есть уши), and some elves have over merry tongues (и у некоторых эльфов веселые языки). Good night (доброй ночи)!” And so at last (и так, в конце концов) they all came to the Last Homely House (все они пришли в Последнее Домашнее Жилище), and found its doors flung wide (и обнаружили, что двери его широко распахнуты; to fling — бросать, метать, кидать, швырять).
      Now it is a strange thing (и вот, странное дело), but things that are good to have (но о тех вещах, которые приятно иметь) and days that are good to spend (и о тех днях, которые провел хорошо) are soon told about (рассказать очень быстро), and not much to listen to (и не очень-то интересно слушать); while things that are uncomfortable (в то время как о тех явлениях, которые неудобные), palpitating (трепещущие; topalpitate—сильнобиться,
       пульсировать, дрожать), and even gruesome (и даже устрашающие), may make a good tale (можно рассказать хорошую историю: /они/ делают, составляют хорошую историю), and take a deal of telling anyway (и занимают уйму /времени/ в любом случае). They stayed long in that good house (они долго оставались в этом хорошем доме), fourteen days at least (по меньшей мере, четырнадцать дней), and they found it hard to leave (и обнаружили, что им трудно его покинуть). Bilbo would gladly have stopped there for ever and ever (Бильбо с радостью остался бы там на веки вечные: «навсегда и навсегда») — even supposing (даже предположив, что) a wish would have taken him right back to his hobbit-hole (что одно только желание вернуло бы его
      /назад/ в его хоббитовскую нору) without trouble (без затруднения). Yet there is little to tell about their stay (и в то же время, мало что можно сказать об их пребывании там).
 
      foam [fqVm] tongue [tAN] palpitating ['pxlpIteItIN] gruesome ['gru: s(q)m]
 
       “Don’t dip your beard in the foam, father!” they cried to Thorin, who was bent almost on to his hands and knees. “It is long enough without watering it.” “Mind Bilbo doesn’t eat all the cakes!” they called. “He is too fat to get
       through key-holes yet!”
 
       “Hush, hush! Good People! and good night!” said Gandalf, who came last. “Valleys have ears, and some elves have over merry tongues. Good night!”
       And so at last they all came to the Last Homely House, and found its doors flung wide.
       Now it is a strange thing, but things that are good to have and days that are good to spend are soon told about, and not much to listen to; while things that are uncomfortable, palpitating, and even gruesome, may make a good tale, and take a deal of telling anyway. They stayed long in that good house, fourteen days at least, and they found it hard to leave. Bilbo would gladly have stopped there for ever and ever — even supposing a wish would have
       taken him right back to his hobbit-hole without trouble. Yet there is little to tell about their stay.
 
      The master of the house was an elf-friend (хозяином дома был друг эльфов) — one of those people (один из тех людей) whose fathers came into the strange stories (чьи отцы попадали в странные истории) before the beginning of History (еще до начала Истории), the wars of the evil goblins and the elves (войн между злыми гоблинами и эльфами) and the first men in the North (и /одними из/ первых людей на Севере). In those days of our tale (в те дни, о которых наша история) there were still some people (были все еще некоторые люди) who had both elves and heroes of the North for ancestors (которые имели и эльфов, и героев Севера в качестве предков), and Elrond the master of the house was their chief (и Элронд, хозяин дома, был их предводителем). He was as noble (он был также благороден) and as fair in face (и также приятен лицом) as an elf— lord (как властелин эльфов), as strong as a warrior (так же силен как воин), as wise as a wizard (мудр, как волшебник), as venerable as a king of dwarves (так же почитаем, как король гномов), and as kind as summer (и добр, как лето). He comes into many tales (он присутствует во многих историях), but his part in the story of Bilbo’s great adventure (но его роль в истории о великих приключениях Бильбо) is only a small one (только совсем маленькая), though important (хотя важная), as you will see (как вы увидите), if we ever get to the end of it (если мы когда-нибудь доберемся до ее конца).