Копи царя Соломона. Английский язык с Г. Р. Хаггардом.
Шрифт:
"If I had any doubts about helping Umbopa to rebel against that infernal blackguard," put in Good, "they are gone now. It was as much as I could do to sit still while that slaughter was going on. I tried to keep my eyes shut, but they would open just at the wrong time. I wonder where Infadoos is. Umbopa, my friend, you ought to be grateful to us; your skin came near to having an air-hole made in it."
"I am grateful, Bougwan," was Umbopa's answer, when I had translated, "and I shall not forget. As for Infadoos, he will be here by and by. We must wait."
[1] Madame Defarge — героиня "Повести о двух городах" (1859), исторического романа Диккенса /1812—1870/, посвященного французской революции. Она неистово мстит аристократам за несчастья, причиненные ее семье. Во время вязания вела список тех, кто, по ее мнению, должен был быть казнен.
We Give A Sign
(Мы
FOR a long while — two hours, I should think — we sat there in silence (довольно долго — часа два, я думаю — мы сидели в тишине), for we were too overwhelmed by the recollection of the horrors we had seen to talk (потому что мы были слишком потрясены воспоминаниями о тех ужасах, которые мы увидели, чтобы разговаривать; to overwhelm — преодолеть, подавить; потрясать, ошеломить).
At last, just as we were thinking of turning in (наконец, когда мы уже подумывали о том, чтобы пойти и лечь спать; to turn in — /разг./ложиться спать) — for already there were faint streaks of light in the eastern sky (потому что слабые полоски света уже появились в восточной /части/ неба) — we heard the sound of steps (мы услышали звук шагов). Then came the challenge of the sentry who was posted at the kraal gate (затем послышался оклик стражи, выставленной у ворот крааля; post —/воен./пост/напр., часового и т.д./; to post — ставить, расставлять; /воен./ выставлять караул), which was apparently answered (на который, очевидно, был получен ответ; answer — ответ; to answer — отвечать, откликаться), though not in an audible tone (хотя его и не было слышно: «хотя и не слышимым голосом»; audible — слышный, внятный, слышимый), for the steps came on (потому что шаги продолжали приближаться); and in another second Infadoos had entered the hut (и в следующую секунду в хижину вошел Инфадус), followed by some half a dozen stately looking chiefs (за котором следовало с полдюжины величественного вида военачальников).
silence ['saIlqns], challenge ['CxlIndZ], sentry ['sentrI], audible ['O:dqbl]
FOR a long while — two hours, I should think — we sat there in silence, for we were too overwhelmed by the recollection of the horrors we had seen to talk.
At last, just as we were thinking of turning in — for already there were faint streaks of light in the eastern sky — we heard the sound of steps. Then came the challenge of the sentry who was posted at the kraal gate, which was apparently answered, though not in an audible tone, for the steps came on; and in another second Infadoos had entered the hut, followed by some half a dozen stately looking chiefs.
"My lords," he said, "I have come, according to my word (я пришел, как и обещал: «согласно своему слову»; according to — в соответствии с, согласно). My lords and Ignosi, rightful king of the Kukuanas, I have brought with me these men (мои повелители и Игнози, законный король кукуанов, я привел с собой этих людей)," pointing to the row of chiefs (/сказал он/, указывая на ряд военачальников), "who are great men among us (которые = это великие люди нашего народа: «среди нас»; among — между, посреди; из числа, среди, у), having each one of them the command of three thousand soldiers (и каждый из них командует
For answer, Ignosi again stripped off his girdle (вместо ответа Игнози снова снял/сорвал с себя свою набедренную повязку; girdle — пояс, ремень) and exhibited the snake tattooed around him (и показал змею, вытатуированную вокруг его /стана/). Each chief in turn drew near and examined it by the dim light of the lamp (каждый вождь, по очереди, подошел поближе и, рассмотрев ее при тусклом свете лампы), and without saying a word passed on to the other side (и, не говоря ни слова, отошел в /другую/ сторону).
rightful ['raItful], sacred ['seIkrId], exhibit [Ig'zIbIt], tattoo [tx'tu:]
"My lords," he said, "I have come, according to my word. My lords and Ignosi, rightful king of the Kukuanas, I have brought with me these men," pointing to the row of chiefs, "who are great men among us, having each one of them the command of three thousand soldiers, who live but to do their bidding, under the king's. I have told them of what I have seen, and what my ears have heard. Now let them also see the sacred snake around thee, and hear thy story, Ignosi, that they may say whether or no they will make cause with thee against Twala the king."
For answer, Ignosi again stripped off his girdle and exhibited the snake tattooed around him. Each chief in turn drew near and examined it by the dim light of the lamp, and without saying a word passed on to the other side.
Then Ignosi resumed his moocha (затем Игнози вновь надел свою муча; to resume — возобновлять, продолжать/после перерыва/; возвращать на старую позицию) and, addressing them, repeated the history he had detailed in the morning (и, обращаясь к ним, повторил свою историю, которую он подробно изложил утром).
"Now ye have heard, chiefs (теперь вы /сами все/ слышали, вожди)," said Infadoos, when he had done (сказал Инфадус, когда тот закончил), "what say ye (что вы скажете); will ye stand by this man and help him to his father's throne, or will ye not (поддержите ли вы этого человека и поможете ли ему /взойти/ на трон своего отца, или нет; to stand by — присутствовать; помогать, поддерживать)? The land cries out against Twala (страна стонет от Твалы), and the blood of the people flows like the waters in spring (и кровь людская течет, словно потоки воды весной; water — вода; воды, поток, водопад). Ye have seen tonight (вы видели /все это/ сегодня вечером). Two other chiefs there were with whom I had it in my mind to speak (два других вождя были среди тех, с кем я хотел поговорить; to have smth. in one’s mind to do smth. — иметь намерение, быть склонным сделать что-либо), and where are they now (а где они сейчас)? The hyenas howl over their corpses (гиены воют над их трупами). Soon will ye be as they are if ye strike not (вскоре вас постигнет та же участь: «вы будете такими же, как и они», если вы не нанесете удар; to strike— ударять, наносить удар; атаковать). Choose, then, my brothers (выбирайте же, братья мои)."
The eldest of the six men, a short, thick-set warrior (самый старший из шести мужчин, невысокого роста, плотного телосложения воин), with white hair (с седыми волосами), stepped forward a pace and answered (сделал шаг вперед и ответил),
resume [rI'zju:m], throne [Trqun], hyena [haI'i:nq]
Then Ignosi resumed his moocha and, addressing them, repeated the history he had detailed in the morning.
"Now ye have heard, chiefs," said Infadoos, when he had done, "what say ye; will ye stand by this man and help him to his father's throne, or will ye not? The land cries out against Twala, and the blood of the people flows like the waters in spring. Ye have seen tonight. Two other chiefs there were with whom I had it in my mind to speak, and where are they now? The hyenas howl over their corpses. Soon will ye be as they are if ye strike not. Choose, then, my brothers."