Английские волшебные сказки 14 страница

‘Though here you lodge with me this night,
You shall not see the morning light:
My club shall dash your brains outright!’

‘Say’st thou so,’ quoth Jack; ‘that is like one of your Welsh tricks, yet I hope to be cunning enough for you.’ Then, getting out of bed, he laid a billet in the bed in his stead, and hid himself in a corner of the room. At the dead time of the night in came the Welsh giant, who struck several heavy blows on the bed with his club, thinking he had broken every bone in Jack’s skin. The next morning Jack, laughing in his sleeve, gave him hearty thanks for his night’s lodging. ‘How have you rested?’ quoth the giant; ‘did you not feel anything in the night?’ ‘No,’ quoth Jack, ‘nothing but a rat, which gave me two or three slaps with her tail.’ With that, greatly wondering, the giant led Jack to breakfast, bringing him a bowl containing four gallons of hasty pudding. Being loth to let the giant think it too much for him, Jack put a large leather bag under his loose coat, in such a way that he could convey the pudding into it without its being perceived. Then, telling the giant he would show him a trick, taking a knife, Jack ripped open the bag, and out came all the hasty pudding. Whereupon, saying, ‘Odds splutters her nails, hur can do that trick hurself’, the monster took the knife, and ripping open his belly, fell down dead.

Now, it happened in these days (это случилось в те дни) that King Arthur’s only son (что единственный сын короля Артура) asked his father to give him a large sum of money (попросил своего отца дать ему большую сумму денег), in order that he might (с тем чтобы он мог: «в порядке что он мог бы») go and seek his fortune (пойти и искать свое счастье) in the principality of Wales (в княжестве Уэльса), where lived a beautiful lady (где жила прекрасная дама) possessed with seven evil spirits (одержимая: «обладаемая» семью злыми духами). The king did his best (король старался из всех сил: «сделал свое лучшее») to persuade his son from it (отговорить своего сына: «убедить своего сына от этого»), but in vain (но напрасно: «в тщету»); so at last gave way (так что наконец уступил: «дал путь») and the prince set out (и принц выступил: «направился наружу») with two horses (с двумя лошадьми), one loaded with money (одна нагруженная деньгами), the other for himself to ride upon (другая для него самого чтобы ехать на (ней)). Now, after several days’ travel (после путешествия нескольких дней), he came to a market-town in Wales (он пришел в торговый город: «рынок-город» в Уэльсе), where he beheld a vast crowd of people (где он увидел большую толпу людей) gathered together (собравшихся вместе). The prince asked the reason of it (принц спросил причину этого), and was told (и ему сказали: «(принц) был сказан») that they had arrested a corpse (что они арестовали труп) for several large sums of money (за несколько больших сумм денег) which the deceased owed when he died (которые умерший был должен когда он умер). The prince replied (принц ответил) that it was a pity (что жаль: «это была жалость») creditors should be so cruel ((что) кредиторы были бы такие жестокие), and said (и сказал): ‘Go bury the dead (идите похороните мертвеца), and let his creditors come to my lodging (и позвольте его кредиторам прийти к моему жилищу), and there their debts shall be paid (и там их долги будут выплачены).’ They came (они пришли), in such great numbers (в таком количестве: «в таких больших цифрах») that before night (что прежде ночи) he had only twopence left for himself (он имел только двухпенсовик оставшийся для него самого).

possess [pə`zes], persuade [pə`sweıd], decease [dı`si:z]

Now, it happened in these days that King Arthur’s only son asked his father to give him a large sum of money, in order that he might go and seek his fortune in the principality of Wales, where lived a beautiful lady possessed with seven evil spirits. The king did his best to persuade his son from it, but in vain; so at last gave way and the prince set out with two horses, one loaded with money, the other for himself to ride upon. Now, after several days’ travel, he came to a market-town in Wales, where he beheld a vast crowd of people gathered together. The prince asked the reason of it, and was told that they had arrested a corpse for several large sums of money which the deceased owed when he died. The prince replied that it was a pity creditors should be so cruel, and said: ‘Go bury the dead, and let his creditors come to my lodging, and there their debts shall be paid.’ They came, in such great numbers that before night he had only twopence left for himself.

Now Jack the Giant-Killer (теперь Джек-истребитель великанов), coming that way (идя тем путем), was so taken with the generosity of the prince (был так покорен: «взят» щедростью принца) that he desired to be his servant (что он пожелал быть его слугой). This being agreed upon (когда на этом порешили: «это будучи соглашенным на»), the next morning they set forward on their journey together (следующим утром они отправились вперед в свое путешествие вместе), when (когда), as they were riding out of the town (когда они выезжали из города), an old woman called after the prince (старая женщина позвала «за» принцем), saying (говоря), ‘He has owed me twopence these seven years (он был должен мне двухпенсовик эти семь лет); pray pay me as well as the rest (молю заплати мне так же как остальным).’ Putting his hand into his pocket (положив свою руку в свой карман), the prince gave the woman all he had left (принц дал женщине всё, что у него оставалось: «он имел оставленным»), so that after their day’s food (так что после их дневной пищи), which cost (которая стоила) what small store (какой небольшой запас) Jack had by him (Джек имел при себе), they were without a penny between them (они были без гроша: «пенни» между собой).

When the sun got low (когда солнце стало низким), the king’s son said (королевский сын сказал): ‘Jack, since we have no money (Джек, так как: «с тех пор как» мы (не) имеем никаких денег), where can we lodge this night (где можем мы остановиться этой ночью)?’

But Jack replied (но Джек ответил): ‘Master (хозяин), we’ll do well enough (у нас все будет хорошо: «мы сделаем хорошо достаточно»), for I have an uncle lives (ибо у меня есть дядя (который) живет) within two miles of this place (не дальше: «внутри» двух миль от этого места); he is a huge and monstrous giant (он огромный и чудовищный великан) with three heads (с тремя головами); he’ll fight five hundred men in armour (он поразит пятьсот людей в доспехах), and make them to fly before him (и заставит: «сделает» их бежать, спасаться бегством перед собой).’

‘Alas (увы)!’ quoth the prince (сказал принц), ‘what shall we do there (что мы будем делать здесь)? He’ll certainly chop us up at a mouthful (он точно разжует: «покрошит» нас за один присест: «рот»). Nay, we are scarce enough (нет, мы маленькие достаточно) to fill one of his hollow teeth (чтобы заполнить один из его зубов с дуплом: «полых зубов»)!’

‘It is no matter for that (это не проблема: «это не есть дело для этого»),’ quoth Jack (сказал Джек); ‘I myself will go before (я сам пойду прежде) and prepare the way for you (и приготовлю путь для тебя); therefore stop here (следовательно оставайся здесь) and wait till I return (и жди пока я (не) вернусь).’ Jack then rode away at full speed (Джек тогда поскакал прочь на полной скорости), and coming to the gate of the castle (и подъехав к воротам замка), he knocked so loud (он постучал так громко) that he made the neighbouring hills resound (что он заставил окрестные холмы греметь (эхом)). The giant roared out at this (великан прорычал «наружу» на это) like thunder (как гром): ‘Who’s there (кто есть там)?’

armour [`a:mə], scarce [skεəs], resound [rı`zaund]

Now Jack the Giant-Killer, coming that way, was so taken with the generosity of the prince that he desired to be his servant. This being agreed upon, the next morning they set forward on their journey together, when, as they were riding out of the town, an old woman called after the prince, saying, ‘He has owed me twopence these seven years; pray pay me as well as the rest.’ Putting his hand into his pocket, the prince gave the woman all he had left, so that after their day’s food, which cost what small store Jack had by him, they were without a penny between them.

When the sun got low, the king’s son said: ‘Jack, since we have no money, where can we lodge this night?’

But Jack replied: ‘Master, we’ll do well enough, for I have an uncle lives within two miles of this place; he is a huge and monstrous giant with three heads; he’ll fight five hundred men in armour, and make them to fly before him.’

‘Alas!’ quoth the prince, ‘what shall we do there? He’ll certainly chop us up at a mouthful. Nay, we are scarce enough to fill one of his hollow teeth!’

‘It is no matter for that,’ quoth Jack; ‘I myself will go before and prepare the way for you; therefore stop here and wait till I return.’ Jack then rode away at full speed, and coming to the gate of the castle, he knocked so loud that he made the neighbouring hills resound. The giant roared out at this like thunder: ‘Who’s there?’

Jack answered (Джек ответил): ‘None but your poor cousin Jack (никто кроме твоего бедного кузена Джека).’

Quoth he (сказал он): ‘What news with my poor cousin Jack (какие новости с моим бедным кузеном Джеком)?’

He replied (он ответил): ‘Dear uncle (дорогой дядя), heavy news (плохие: «тяжелые» новости), God wot (Бог ведает; архаич. вместо knows)!’

‘Prithee (молю тебя: архаич. вместо please),’ quoth the giant (сказал великан), ‘what heavy news can come to me (какие тяжелые новости могут прийти ко мне)? I am a giant (я великан) with three heads (с тремя головами), and besides (и кроме того) thou knowest I can fight (ты знаешь (что) я могу побить) five hundred men in armour (пятьсот человек в доспехах), and make them fly like chaff before the wind (и заставить их лететь как солома перед ветром).’

‘Oh, but (о, но),’ quoth Jack (сказал Джек), ‘here’s the king’s son (здесь сын короля) a-coming with a thousand men in armour (идущий с тысячью людей в доспехах) to kill you (чтобы убить тебя) and destroy all that you have (и разрушить все что ты имеешь)!’

‘Oh, cousin Jack (о, кузен Джек),’ said the giant (сказал великан), ‘this is heavy news indeed (это тяжелая новость в самом деле)! I will immediately run (я немедленно убегу) and hide myself (и спрячу себя), and thou shalt lock (а ты запрешь на замок)), bolt (запрешь на задвижку), and bar me in (и заградишь меня внутри), and keep the keys (и сохранишь ключи) until the prince is gone (пока принц (не) уйдет: «ушел»).’ Having secured the giant (заперев великана), Jack fetched his master (Джек позвал своего хозяина), when they made themselves (когда они сделали себя) heartily merry (сердечно веселыми) whilst the poor giant (пока бедный великан) lay trembling (лежал дрожа) in a vault under the ground (в подвале под землей).

Early in the morning (рано утром) Jack furnished his master with a fresh supply of gold and silver (Джек снабдил своего хозяина свежими запасами золота и серебра), and then sent him three miles forward (и затем послал его (на) три мили вперед) on his journey (на его путешествие), at which time (к которому времени) the prince was pretty well (принц был очень хорошо) out of the smell of the giant (вне нюха великана). Jack then returned (Джек тогда вернулся), and let the giant out of the vault (и выпустил великана из подвала), who asked (который спросил) what he should give him (что он должен дать ему) for keeping the castle from destruction (за сохранение замка от разрушения). ‘Why (ну: «почему»)),’ quoth Jack (сказал Джек), ‘I want nothing but the old coat and cap (я (не) хочу ничего кроме старой куртки и колпака), together with the old rusty sword (вместе со старым ржавым мечом) and slippers (комнатными туфлями) which are at your bed’s head (которые есть у изголовья: «головы» твоей кровати).’ Quoth the giant (сказал великан): ‘You know not what you ask (ты не знаешь что ты просишь); they are the most precious things I have (они суть самые драгоценные вещи (которые) я имею). The coat will keep you invisible (куртка будет хранить тебя невидимым), the cap will tell you all you want to know (колпак расскажет тебе все (что) ты хочешь знать), the sword cuts asunder whatever you strike (меч рубит на части что бы ты (ни) ударил), and the shoes are of extraordinary swiftness (и башмаки суть необычайной быстроты). But you have been very serviceable to me (но ты был очень услужлив ко мне = сослужил мне хорошую службу), therefore take them with all my heart (поэтому возьми их со всем моим сердцем = мне не жалко).’ Jack thanked his uncle (Джек поблагодарил своего дядю), and then went off with them (и затем ушел прочь с ними). He soon overtook his master (он скоро нагнал своего хозяина) and they quickly arrived at the house (и они быстро прибыли к дому)of the lady the prince sought (дамы (которую) искал принц), who (которая), finding the prince to be a suitor (нашедши принца «быть» ухажером), prepared a splendid banquet for him (приготовила превосходный пир для него). After the repast was concluded (после (того как) трапеза была завершена), she told him (она сказала ему) she had a task for him (она имела задание для него). She wiped his mouth with a handkerchief (она вытерла его рот платком), saying (сказав): ‘You must show me that handkerchief tomorrow morning (ты должен показать мне этот платок завтра утром), or else you will lose your head (или иначе ты потеряешь твою голову).’ With that (с этим) she put it in her bosom (она положила его на свою грудь = за корсаж). The prince went to bed in great sorrow (принц пошел в постель в великой печали), but Jack’s cap of knowledge (но Джеков колпак знания) informed him (сообщил ему: «информировал его») how it was to be obtained (как он (платок) должен был быть получен: «как он был быть получен»). In the middle of the night (в середине ночи) she called upon her familiar spirit (она призвала «на» своего знакомого духа) to carry her to Lucifer (отнести ее к Люциферу). But Jack put on his coat of darkness (но Джек надел свою куртку темноты) and his shoes of swiftness (и свои башмаки быстроты), and was there as soon as she was (и был там так скоро как она была). When she entered the place of the demon (когда она вошла (в) жилище демона), she gave the handkerchief to him (она дала платок ему), and he laid it upon a shelf (и он положил его на полку), whence Jack took it (откуда Джек взял его) and brought it to his master (и принес его к своему хозяину), who showed it to the lady next day (который показал его даме (на) следующий день), and so saved his life (и так спас свою жизнь). On that day (в: «на» тот день), she gave the prince a kiss (она дала принцу поцелуй) and told him (и сказала ему) he must show her the lips tomorrow morning (он должен показать ей губы завтра утром) that she kissed last night (которые она целовала прошлой: «последней» ночью), or lose his head (или потерять свою голову).

thousand [`өauzənd], repast [rı`pa:st], handkerchief [`hæŋkətʃi:f]

Jack answered: ‘None but your poor cousin Jack.’

Quoth he: ‘What news with my poor cousin Jack?’

He replied: ‘Dear uncle, heavy news, God wot!’

‘Prithee,’ quoth the giant, ‘what heavy news can come to me? I am a giant with three heads, and besides thou knowest I can fight five hundred men in armour, and make them fly like chaff before the wind.’

‘Oh, but,’ quoth Jack, ‘here’s the king’s son a-coming with a thousand men in armour to kill you and destroy all that you have!’

‘Oh, cousin Jack,’ said the giant, ‘this is heavy news indeed! I will immediately run and hide myself, and thou shalt lock, bolt, and bar me in, and keep the keys until the prince is gone.’ Having secured the giant, Jack fetched his master, when they made themselves heartily merry whilst the poor giant lay trembling in a vault under the ground.

Early in the morning Jack furnished his master with a fresh supply of gold and silver, and then sent him three miles forward on his journey, at which time the prince was pretty well out of the smell of the giant. Jack then returned, and let the giant out of the vault, who asked what he should give him for keeping the castle from destruction. ‘Why,’ quoth Jack, ‘I want nothing but the old coat and cap, together with the old rusty sword and slippers which are at your bed’s head.’ Quoth the giant: ‘You know not what you ask; they are the most precious things I have. The coat will keep you invisible, the cap will tell you all you want to know, the sword cuts asunder whatever you strike, and the shoes are of extraordinary swiftness. But you have been very serviceable to me, therefore take them with all my heart.’ Jack thanked his uncle, and then went off with them. He soon overtook his master and they quickly arrived at the house of the lady the prince sought, who, finding the prince to be a suitor, prepared a splendid banquet for him. After the repast was concluded, she told him she had a task for him. She wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, saying: ‘You must show me that handkerchief tomorrow morning, or else you will lose your head.’ With that she put it in her bosom. The prince went to bed in great sorrow, but Jack’s cap of knowledge informed him how it was to be obtained. In the middle of the night she called upon her familiar spirit to carry her to Lucifer. But Jack put on his coat of darkness and his shoes of swiftness, and was there as soon as she was. When she entered the place of the demon, she gave the handkerchief to him, and he laid it upon a shelf, whence Jack took it and brought it to his master, who showed it to the lady next day, and so saved his life. On that day, she gave the prince a kiss and told him he must show her the lips tomorrow morning that she kissed last night, or lose his head.

‘Ah!’ he replied (он ответил), ‘if you kiss none but mine (если ты не поцелуешь: «целуешь» ничью кроме моей), I will (я скажу: «буду»).’

‘That is neither here nor there (это ни здесь, ни там),’ said she; ‘if you do not (если ты не скажешь: «не делаешь»), death’s your portion (смерть твой удел)!’

At midnight (в полночь) she went as before (она пошла как раньше), and was angry with the demon (и была сердита на демона: «с демоном») for letting the handkerchief go (за позволение платку исчезнуть: «уйти»). ‘But now (но теперь),’ quoth she, ‘I will be too hard for the king’s son (я буду слишком трудна для сына короля), for I will kiss thee (ибо я поцелую тебя), and he is to show me thy lips (а он должен: «он есть» показать мне твои губы).’ Which she did (что она (и) сделала), and Jack (а Джек), when she was not standing by (когда она не была стоящей рядом), cut off Lucifer’s head (отрезал прочь голову Люцифера) and brought it (и принес ее) under his invisible coat (под своей невидимой курткой) to his master (к своему хозяину), who the next morning (который следующим утром) pulled it out (вытянул ее наружу) by the horns (за рога) before the lady (перед дамой). This broke the enchantment (это разрушило: «сломало» чары) and the evil spirit left her (и злой дух покинул ее), and she appeared in all her beauty (и она показалась во всей ее красоте). They were married the next morning (они поженились: «были женаты» следующим утром), and soon after (и вскоре после) went to the Court of King Arthur (пошли ко двору короля Артура), where Jack for his many exploits (где Джек за свои многие подвиги), was made one of the Knights of the Round Table (был сделан одним из рыцарей Круглого Стола).

portion [`po:ʃən], Lucifer [`lu:sıfə], enchantment [ın`tʃa:ntmənt]

‘Ah!’ he replied, ‘if you kiss none but mine, I will.’

‘That is neither here nor there,’ said she; ‘if you do not, death’s your portion!’

At midnight she went as before, and was angry with the demon for letting the handkerchief go. ‘But now,’ quoth she, ‘I will be too hard for the king’s son, for I will kiss thee, and he is to show me thy lips.’ Which she did, and Jack, when she was not standing by, cut off Lucifer’s head and brought it under his invisible coat to his master, who the next morning pulled it out by the horns before the lady. This broke the enchantment and the evil spirit left her, and she appeared in all her beauty. They were married the next morning, and soon after went to the Court of King Arthur, where Jack for his many exploits, was made one of the Knights of the Round Table.

Jack soon went (Джек скоро пошел) searching for giants (искать великанов: «ища за великанами») again (снова), but he had not ridden far (но он не уехал далеко), when he saw a cave (когда он увидел пещеру), near the entrance of which (рядом со входом в которую: «которой») he beheld a giant (он увидел великана) sitting upon a block of timber (сидящего на куче дров), with a knotted iron club by his side (с суковатой железной дубиной у его бока). His goggle eyes were like flames of fire (его выпуклые глаза были как языки пламени: «пламя огня»), his countenance grim and ugly (его лицо мрачное и уродливое), and his cheeks like a couple of large flitches of bacon (а его щеки как пара больших ломтей бекона), while the bristles of his beard (в то время как космы его бороды) resembled rods of iron wire (напоминали пруты из железной проволоки), and the locks that hung down (а локоны которые свисали вниз) upon his brawny shoulders (на его мускулистые плечи) were like curled snakes (были как закрутившиеся змеи) or hissing adders (или шипящие гадюки). Jack alighted from his horse (Джек спрыгнул со своей лошади), and, putting on the coat of darkness (и надев куртку темноты), went up close to the giant (подошел близко к великану), and said softly (и сказал тихо): ‘Oh! are you there (о, ты здесь)? It will not be long (это не будет долго) before I take you fast by the beard (прежде (чем) я возьму тебя крепко за бороду).’ The giant all this while (великан все это время) could not see him (не мог видеть его), on account of his invisible coat (за счет его невидимой куртки), so that Jack (так что Джек), coming up close to the monster (подойдя близко к чудищу), struck a blow (нанес: «ударил» удар) with his sword at his head («со» своим мечом по его голове), but, missing his aim (но упустив свою цель), he cut off the nose instead (он отрубил нос вместо (того)). At this (на этом), the giant roared like claps of thunder (великан взревел как удары грома), and began to lay about him (и начал молотить вокруг него) with his iron club («со» своей железной дубиной) like one stark mad (как кто-то: «один» совершенно безумный). But Jack, running behind (но Джек, забежав сзади), drove his sword up to the hilt in the giant’s head (всадил своей меч по рукоять: «вверх к рукояти» в голову великана; to drive – вести) so that it fell down dead (так что он упал «вниз» мертвый). This done (сделав это: «это сделано»), Jack cut off the giant’s head (Джек отрубил голову великана), and sent it (и послал ее), with his brother’s also (с (головой) его брата также), to King Arthur (к королю Артуру), by a waggoner (возчиком) he hired ((которого) он нанял) for that purpose (для этой цели).

resemble [rı`zembl], account [ə`kaunt], invisible [ın`vızıbl]

Jack soon went searching for giants again, but he had not ridden far, when he saw a cave, near the entrance of which he beheld a giant sitting upon a block of timber, with a knotted iron club by his side. His goggle eyes were like flames of fire, his countenance grim and ugly, and his cheeks like a couple of large flitches of bacon, while the bristles of his beard resembled rods of iron wire, and the locks that hung down upon his brawny shoulders were like curled snakes or hissing adders. Jack alighted from his horse, and, putting on the coat of darkness, went up close to the giant, and said softly: ‘Oh! are you there? It will not be long before I take you fast by the beard.’ The giant all this while could not see him, on account of his invisible coat, so that Jack, coming up close to the monster, struck a blow with his sword at his head, but, missing his aim, he cut off the nose instead. At this, the giant roared like claps of thunder, and began to lay about him with his iron club like one stark mad. But Jack, running behind, drove his sword up to the hilt in the giant’s head so that it fell down dead. This done, Jack cut off the giant’s head, and sent it, with his brother’s also, to King Arthur, by a waggoner he hired for that purpose.

Jack now resolved to enter the giant’s cave (Джек теперь решил войти (в) пещеру великана) in search of his treasure (в поисках его сокровища), and, passing along through (и пройдя через) a great many (многие: «велико много») windings and turnings (повороты и закоулки), he came at length (он пришел наконец) to a large room (к большой комнате) paved with freestone (вымощенной песчаником), at the upper end of which (в верхнем конце которой) was a boiling caldron (был кипящий котел), and on the right hand a large table (и по правую руку: «на правой руке» большой стол), at which the giant used to dine (у которого великан раньше обедал). Then he came to a window (затем он подошел к окну), barred with iron (заставленному железом), through which (через которое) he looked (он поглядел) and beheld (и увидел) a vast number of miserable captives (большое: «широкое» число несчастных пленников), who, seeing him (которые увидев его), cried out (закричали «наружу»): ‘Alas (увы)! Young man (молодой человек), art thou come (пришел (ли) ты) to be one amongst us (чтобы быть одним среди нас): in this miserable den (в этой скорбном логове)?’

‘Ay (да; архаич.),’ quoth Jack, ‘but pray tell me (но молю скажите мне) what is the meaning (что есть смысл) of your captivity (вашего плена)?’

‘We are kept here (нас держат здесь: «мы хранимы здесь»),’ said one (сказал один), ‘till such time (до такого времени) as the giants have a wish to feast (когда великаны имеют желание попировать), and then the fattest among us (и тогда самый жирный среди нас) is slaughtered (есть убит)! And many are the times (и много есть раз) they have dined upon murdered men ((когда) они обедали «на» убитыми людьми)!’

‘Say you so (скажи ты такм= надо же),’ quoth Jack, and straightway unlocked the gate and let them free (и тут же отпер ворота и отпустил их свободными), who all rejoiced like condemned men (которые все возрадовались как приговоренные люди) at sight of a pardon (при виде помилования: «прощения»). Then searching the giant’s coffer (тогда найдя: «ища» сундук великана), he shared the gold and silver (он разделил золото и серебро) equally amongst them (поровну среди них) and took them (и взял их) to a neigbouring castle (к соседнему замку), where they all feasted (где они все пировали) and made merry over their deliverance (и делали веселые над их освобождением = в честь своего освобождения).

winding [`waındıŋ], captive [`kæptiv], ay [aı]

Jack now resolved to enter the giant’s cave in search of his treasure, and, passing along through a great many windings and turnings, he came at length to a large room paved with freestone, at the upper end of which was a boiling caldron, and on the right hand a large table, at which the giant used to dine. Then he came to a window, barred with iron, through which he looked and beheld a vast number of miserable captives, who, seeing him, cried out: ‘Alas! Young man, art thou come to be one amongst us: in this miserable den?’

‘Ay,’ quoth Jack, ‘but pray tell me what is the meaning of your captivity?’

‘We are kept here,’ said one, ‘till such time as the giants have a wish to feast, and then the fattest among us is slaughtered! And many are the times they have dined upon murdered men!’

‘Say you so,’ quoth Jack, and straightway unlocked the gate and let them free, who all rejoiced like condemned men at sight of a pardon. Then searching the giant’s coffer, he shared the gold and silver equally amongst them and took them to a neigbouring castle, where they all feasted and made merry over their deliverance.

But in the midst of all this mirth (но в середине всего этого веселья) a messenger brought news (посланник принес вести) that one Thunderdell (что некий: «один» Тандерделл), a giant with two heads (великан с двумя головами), having heard of the death of his kinsmen (услышав о смерти своих родичей), had come from the northern dales (пришел из северных долов) to be revenged on Jack (чтобы отомстить Джеку: «быть отомщенным на Джека»), and was within a mile of the castle (и был в миле от замка), the country people flying before him like chaff (деревенские люди летя перед ним как солома = спасаясь бегством). But Jack was not a bit daunted (но Джек был ничуть: «ни кусочка» (не) обескуражен), and said (и сказал): ‘Let him come (пусть он придет: «позволим ему прийти»)! I have a tool to pick his teeth (у меня есть инструмент чтобы вырвать его зубы); and you, ladies and gentlemen (а вы, дамы и господа), walk out into the garden (выйдите наружу в сад), and you shall witness (и вы будете свидетелями) this giant Thunderdell’s death and destruction (этого великана Тандерделла смерти и уничтожения).’

Дата добавления: 2015-07-25