Black Hands Gripping

(Хватка черных рук)

 

With an oath the Cimmerian smote the wall a terrible blow with the pommel of his sword (с проклятием киммериец наказал стену страшным ударом эфеса своего меча; pommel — головка (эфеса шпаги)), and the marble cracked and chipped (и мрамор треснул и раскололся). But the hidden door did not give way (но скрытая дверь не поддалась), and reason told him that doubtless it had been bolted on the other side of the wall (и разум сказал ему, что, несомненно, она была заперта на засов с другой стороны стены). Turning, he sprang across the chamber to one of the ivory doors (повернувшись, он прыгнул через комнату к одной из дверей из слоновой кости; to spring — прыгать).

 

oath [quT], been [bi:n], ivory ['aIvqrI]

 

With an oath the Cimmerian smote the wall a terrible blow with the pommel of his sword, and the marble cracked and chipped. But the hidden door did not give way, and reason told him that doubtless it had been bolted on the other side of the wall. Turning, he sprang across the chamber to one of the ivory doors.

 

He lifted his sword to shatter the panels (он поднял свой меч, /чтобы/ разбить панели), but on a venture tried the door first with his left hand (но наудачу попробовал /открыть/ дверь сначала /своей/ левой рукой). It swung open easily (она легко распахнулась), and he glared into a long corridor (и он заглянул в длинный коридор) that curved away into dimness under the weird light of censers similar to those in the shrine (который изгибался /уходя/ в сумрак под причудливым светом кадильниц, похожих на те = кадильницы в храме). A heavy gold bolt showed on the jamb of the door, and he touched it lightly with his fingertips (тяжелый золотой засов виднелся на косяке двери, и он коснулся его легко кончиками пальцев). The faint warmness of the metal could have been detected only by a man whose faculties were akin to those of a wolf (слабое тепло металла можно было определить /различить /только/ человеку, способности которого были сродни таковым = способностям волка). That bolt had been touched — and therefore drawn — within the last few seconds (этого засова касались — и таким образом задвигали — в пределах последних нескольких секунд). The affair was taking on more and more of the aspect of a baited trap (дело принимало все больше и больше вид ловушки с наживкой). He might have known Totrasmek would know when anyone entered the temple (он мог знать /раньше/ = ему следовало догадаться, /что/ Тотрасмек узнает, когда кто-то войдет в храм).

 

venture ['venCq], similar ['sImIlq], lightly ['laItlI]

 

He lifted his sword to shatter the panels, but on a venture tried the door first with his left hand. It swung open easily, and he glared into a long corridor that curved away into dimness under the weird light of censers similar to those in the shrine. A heavy gold bolt showed on the jamb of the door, and he touched it lightly with his fingertips. The faint warmness of the metal could have been detected only by a man whose faculties were akin to those of a wolf. That bolt had been touched — and therefore drawn — within the last few seconds. The affair was taking on more and more of the aspect of a baited trap. He might have known Totrasmek would know when anyone entered the temple.

 

To enter the corridor would undoubtedly be to walk into whatever trap the priest had set for him (войти в коридор несомненно было бы = означало бы войти в какую бы то ни было ловушку, /которую/ жрец поставил на него). But Conan did not hesitate (но Конан не колебался). Somewhere in that dim-lit interior Zabibi was a captive (где-то в этой неясно освещенной внутренней части Забиби была пленницей), and, from what he knew of the characteristics of Hanuman's priests (а из того, что он знал о характеристиках жрецов Ханумана), he was sure that she needed help badly (он был уверен, что ей очень нужна помощь). Conan stalked into the corridor with a pantherish tread, poised to strike right or left (Конан прокрался в коридор шагом пантеры, приготовился бить / наносить удары вправо и влево).

 

enter ['entq], need [ni:d], stalk [stO:k]

 

To enter the corridor would undoubtedly be to walk into whatever trap the priest had set for him. But Conan did not hesitate. Somewhere in that dim-lit interior Zabibi was a captive, and, from what he knew of the characteristics of Hanuman's priests, he was sure that she needed help badly. Conan stalked into the corridor with a pantherish tread, poised to strike right or left.

 

On his left (слева от него: «на его левой»), ivory, arched doors opened into the corridor (двери из слоновой кости с арками открывались в коридор), and he tried each in turn (и он попробовал /открыть/ каждую по очереди). All were locked (все были закрыты на замок). He had gone perhaps seventy-five feet when the corridor bent sharply to the left, describing the curve the girl had mentioned (он прошел, возможно, семьдесят пять футов, когда коридор резко изогнулся влево, описывая дугу, /которую/ упоминала девушка). A door opened into this curve, and it gave under his hand (в эту дугу открывалась дверь, и она подалась под его рукой).

 

turn [tq:n], perhaps [pq'hxps], curve [kq:v]

 

On his left, ivory, arched doors opened into the corridor, and he tried each in turn. All were locked. He had gone perhaps seventy-five feet when the corridor bent sharply to the left, describing the curve the girl had mentioned. A door opened into this curve, and it gave under his hand.

 

He was looking into a broad, square chamber, somewhat more clearly lighted than the corridor (он смотрел в широкую, квадратную комнату, немного более четко освещенную, чем коридор). Its walls were of white marble, the floor of ivory (ее стены были из белого мрамора, пол из слоновой кости), the ceiling of fretted silver (потолок из украшенного резьбой серебра). He saw divans of rich satin (он увидел диваны из богатого атласа), gold-worked footstools of ivory (украшенные золотом скамеечки для ног из слоновой кости), a disk-shaped table of some massive, metal-like substance (дисковидный стол из какого-то массивного похожего на металл вещества). On one of the divans a man was reclining, looking toward the door (на одном из диванов полулежал человек, смотревший в сторону двери; to recline — облокачиваться; склоняться, прислоняться; полулежать, лежать, развалившись (on, upon)). He laughed as he met the Cimmerian's startled glare (он засмеялся, когда /он/ встретил пораженный взгляд Конана).

 

corridor ['kOrIdO:], substance ['sAbstqns], toward [tq'wO:d]

 

He was looking into a broad, square chamber, somewhat more clearly lighted than the corridor. Its walls were of white marble, the floor of ivory, the ceiling of fretted silver. He saw divans of rich satin, gold-worked footstools of ivory, a disk-shaped table of some massive, metal-like substance. On one of the divans a man was reclining, looking toward the door. He laughed as he met the Cimmerian's startled glare.

 

This man was naked except for a loin cloth and high-strapped sandals (этот мужчина был обнажен за исключением набедренной повязки и сандалий с высокой шнуровкой). He was brown-skinned (он был коричневокожий), with close-cropped black hair (с коротко остриженными черными волосами) and restless black eyes that set off a broad, arrogant face (и бегающими черными глазами, которые выделялись на широком высокомерном лице). In girth and breadth he was enormous (в обхвате и по ширине он был огромен), with huge limbs on which the great muscles swelled and rippled at each slightest movement (с огромными конечностями, на которых раздувались и перекатывались при каждом малейшем движении огромные мускулы). His hands were the largest Conan had ever seen (его кисти были самые большие, /которые/ когда-нибудь видел Конан). The assurance of gigantic physical strength colored his every action and inflection (уверенность в гигантской физической силе окрашивала его каждое действие и интонацию = проявлялась в каждом его действии и интонации).

 

breadth [bredT], enormous [I'nO:mqs], seen [si:n]

 

This man was naked except for a loin cloth and high-strapped sandals. He was brown-skinned, with close-cropped black hair and restless black eyes that set off a broad, arrogant face. In girth and breadth he was enormous, with huge limbs on which the great muscles swelled and rippled at each slightest movement. His hands were the largest Conan had ever seen. The assurance of gigantic physical strength colored his every action and inflection.

 

"Why not enter, barbarian?" he called mockingly, with an exaggerated gesture of invitation (почему /бы/ не войти, варвар? — позвал он насмешливо, с преувеличенным жестом приглашения = с преувеличенно радушным приглашающим жестом).

Conan's eyes began to smolder ominously (глаза Конана начали гореть угрожающе = запылали угрожающим огнем), but he trod warily into the chamber, his sword ready (но он вошел осторожно в комнату /с/ мечом наготове).

"Who the devil are you?" he growled (что ты за демон = фрукт? — прорычал он).

"I am Baal-pteor," the man answered (я Баал-птеор, — ответил мужчина). "Once, long ago and in another land, I had another name (когда-то, давным-давно в другой стране, я имел = у меня было другое имя). But this is a good name, and why Totrasmek gave it to me, any temple wench can tell you (но это хорошее имя, и почему Тотрасмек дал его мне, тебе может сказать любая храмовая девица[54])."

 

call [kO:l], invitation [InvI'teISn], ready ['redI]

 

"Why not enter, barbarian?" he called mockingly, with an exaggerated gesture of invitation.

Conan's eyes began to smolder ominously, but he trod warily into the chamber, his sword ready.

"Who the devil are you?" he growled.

"I am Baal-pteor," the man answered. "Once, long ago and in another land, I had another name. But this is a good name, and why Totrasmek gave it to me, any temple wench can tell you."

 

"So you're his dog!" grunted Conan (так ты его пес! — пробурчал Конан). "Well, curse your brown hide, Baal-pteor, where's the wench you jerked through the wall (ну, будь проклята твоя коричневая шкура, Баал-птеор, где девица, /которую/ ты втащил сквозь стену)?"

"My master entertains her!" laughed Baal-pteor (мой хозяин развлекает ее! — засмеялся Баал-птеор). "Listen (послушай)!"

From beyond a door opposite the one by which Conan had entered (из-за двери напротив той, через которую вошел Конан) there sounded a woman's scream, faint and muffled in the distance (раздавался женский визг, слабый и приглушенный на расстоянии).

 

you [ju:], entertain [entq'teIn], distance ['dIstqns]

 

"So you're his dog!" grunted Conan. "Well, curse your brown hide, Baal-pteor, where's the wench you jerked through the wall?"

"My master entertains her!" laughed Baal-pteor. "Listen!"

From beyond a door opposite the one by which Conan had entered there sounded a woman's scream, faint and muffled in the distance.

 

"Blast your soul (проклятье на твою душу)!" Conan took a stride toward the door, then wheeled with his skin tingling (Конан сделал шаг к двери, потом повернулся от покалывания /его/ кожи), Baal-pteor was laughing at him (Баал-птеор смеялся над ним), and that laugh was edged with menace that made the hackles rise on Conan's neck (и этот смех был усилен угрозой, которая вызвала гнев Конана: «заставила подняться волоски на шее Конана» ; to make smb’s hackles rise = to raise smb’s hackles — ощетиниться, вызвать гнев) and sent a red wave of murder-lust driving across his vision (и красная волна жажды убийства застила его взор: «послала красную волну жажды убийства, проходящую через его взор»).

He started toward Baal-pteor, the knuckles on his swordhand showing white (он бросился к Баал-птеору, суставы пальцев на рукоятке его меча побелели). With a swift motion the brown man threw something at him — a shining crystal sphere that glistened in the weird light (быстрым движением коричневый человек бросил что-то в него — светящийся хрустальный шар, который искрился сверхъестественным светом).

 

menace ['menqs], knuckle [nAkl], threw [Tru:]

 

"Blast your soul!" Conan took a stride toward the door, then wheeled with his skin tingling, Baal-pteor was laughing at him, and that laugh was edged with menace that made the hackles rise on Conan's neck and sent a red wave of murder-lust driving across his vision.

He started toward Baal-pteor, the knuckles on his swordhand showing white. With a swift motion the brown man threw something at him — a shining crystal sphere that glistened in the weird light.

 

Conan dodged instinctively (Конан инстинктивно увернулся), but, miraculously (но, чудесным образом), the globe stopped short in midair, a few feet from his face (шар резко остановился в воздухе, в нескольких футах от его лица). It did not fall to the floor (он не упал на пол). It hung suspended (он висел, подвешенный), as if by invisible filaments (словно на невидимых нитях), some five feet above the floor (футах в пяти над полом). And as he glared in amazement (и когда он смотрел /на него/ в изумлении), it began to rotate with growing speed (он начал вращаться с возрастающей скоростью). And as it revolved it grew (и по мере того, как он вращался, он рос; to grow), expanded, became nebulous (увеличивался, становился расплывчатым). It filled the chamber (он заполнил комнату). It enveloped him (он окутал его). It blotted out furniture, walls, the smiling countenance of Baal-pteor (он закрыл мебель, стены, улыбающееся лицо Баал-птеора). He was lost in the midst of a blinding bluish blur of whirling speed (он потерялся посреди слепящего голубоватого пятна, расплывшегося от скорости вращения; to be lost — потеряться; to whirl — вертеть(ся); кружить(ся); вращать(ся)). Terrific winds screamed past Conan (страшные ветры проревели = проносились с ревом мимо Конана), tugging at him, striving to wrench him from his feet (дергая его, стремясь сбить его с /его/ ног), to drag him into the vortex that spun madly before him (затащить его в воронку, которая кружилась бешено перед ним; to spin — крутить(ся), вертеть(ся), выписывать круги).

 

suspend [sqs'pend], furniture ['fq:nICq], vortex ['vO:teks]

 

Conan dodged instinctively, but, miraculously, the globe stopped short in midair, a few feet from his face. It did not fall to the floor. It hung suspended, as if by invisible filaments, some five feet above the floor. And as he glared in amazement, it began to rotate with growing speed. And as it revolved it grew, expanded, became nebulous. It filled the chamber. It enveloped him. It blotted out furniture, walls, the smiling countenance of Baal-pteor. He was lost in the midst of a blinding bluish blur of whirling speed. Terrific winds screamed past Conan, tugging at him, striving to wrench him from his feet, to drag him into the vortex that spun madly before him.

 

With a choking cry Conan lurched backward, reeled (с задыхающимся криком Конан накренился назад, пошатнулся), felt the solid wall against his back (почувствовал твердую стену против = за спиной). At the contact the illusion ceased to be (при контакте иллюзия прекратила быть = прекратилась). The whirling, titanic sphere vanished like a bursting bubble (вращающийся титанический шар исчез как лопнувший пузырь). Conan reeled upright in the silver-ceilinged room, with a gray mist coiling about his feet (Конан выпрямился в комнате с серебряным потолком с серым туманом, струящимся у его ног), and saw Baal-pteor lolling on the divan, shaking with silent laughter (и увидел Баал-птеора, развалившегося на диване, трясущимся от беззвучного смеха).

 

sphere [sfIq], bubble [bAbl], laughter ['lRftq]

 

With a choking cry Conan lurched backward, reeled, felt the solid wall against his back. At the contact the illusion ceased to be. The whirling, titanic sphere vanished like a bursting bubble. Conan reeled upright in the silver-ceilinged room, with a gray mist coiling about his feet, and saw Baal-pteor lolling on the divan, shaking with silent laughter.

 

"Son of a slut!" Conan lunged at him (сукин сын, — Конан бросился на него). But the mist swirled up from the floor, blotting out that giant brown form (но туман кружился = кругами поднимался от пола, закрывая эту гигантскую коричневую фигуру; blot — пятно; клякса; to blot — загрязнять, пачкать, марать, ставить кляксы; затемнять, заслонять). Groping in a rolling cloud that blinded him шаря /руками/ в кружащемся облаке, которое ослепило его), Conan felt a rending sensation of dislocation — and then room and mist and brown man were gone together (Конан почувствовал рвущее ощущение смещения — и потом комната и туман и коричневый мужчина пропали /все/ вместе). He was standing alone among the high reeds of a marshy fen, and a buffalo was lunging at him, head down (он стоял один среди высоких камышей болотной топи, и на него несся буйвол, опустив голову). He leaped aside from the ripping scimitar-curved horns (он прыгнул в сторону от рвущих, изогнутых в форме симитара (т.е. кривой сабли) рогов) and drove his sword in behind the foreleg, through ribs and heart (и воткнул: «вогнал» свой меч позади передней ноги, сквозь ребра и сердца; to drive — гнать). And then it was not a buffalo dying there in the mud, but the brown-skinned Baal-pteor (и тогда это оказался не буйвол, умирающий там в грязи, а коричневокожий Баал-птеор). With a curse Conan struck off his head (с проклятием Конан отсек его голову); and the head soared from the ground and snapped beastlike tusks into his throat (а голова воспарила с земли и впилась звероподобными клыками в его горло). For all his mighty strength he could not tear it loose (несмотря на всю его могучую силу он не мог оторвать ее) — he was choking — strangling (он давился — задыхался); then there was a rush and roar through space (затем был бросок и хохот сквозь пространство), the dislocating shock of an immeasurable impact (шок смещения от неизмеримого толчка), and he was back in the chamber with Baal-pteor (и он был снова в комнате с Баал-птеором), whose head was once more set firmly on his shoulders (чья голова опять сидела прочно на его плечах), and who laughed silently at him from the divan (и который смеялся беззвучно над ним с дивана).

 

floor [flO:], sensation [sen'seISn], curse [kq:s]

 

"Son of a slut!" Conan lunged at him. But the mist swirled up from the floor, blotting out that giant brown form. Groping in a rolling cloud that blinded him, Conan felt a rending sensation of dislocation — and then room and mist and brown man were gone together. He was standing alone among the high reeds of a marshy fen, and a buffalo was lunging at him, head down. He leaped aside from the ripping scimitar-curved horns and drove his sword in behind the foreleg, through ribs and heart. And then it was not a buffalo dying there in the mud, but the brown-skinned Baal-pteor. With a curse Conan struck off his head; and the head soared from the ground and snapped beastlike tusks into his throat. For all his mighty strength he could not tear it loose — he was choking — strangling; then there was a rush and roar through space, the dislocating shock of an immeasurable impact, and he was back in the chamber with Baal-pteor, whose head was once more set firmly on his shoulders, and who laughed silently at him from the divan.

 

"Mesmerism!" muttered Conan, crouching and digging his toes hard against the marble (гипноз! — пробормотал Конан, пригибаясь и занимая твердую позицию на мраморе; to dig one’s toes — укрепиться, утвердиться, укрепить своё положение, занять твёрдую позицию: «вкопать свои пальцы ног»).

His eyes blazed (его глаза пылали). This brown dog was playing with him, making sport of him (эта коричневая псина играла с ним, делая из него посмешище; to make sport of — делать посмешище из; sport — отдых, приятное времяпрепровождение; забава, развлечение; шутка)! But this mummery, this child's play of mists and shadows of thought, it could not harm him (но этот маскарад, эта детская игра из туманов и мнимых теней, она не могла повредить ему). He had but to leap and strike and the brown acolyte would be a mangled corpse under his heel (ему нужно было лишь прыгнуть и ударить, и коричневый прислужник станет изувеченным трупом под его пятой). This time he would not be fooled by shadows of illusion — but he was (в этот раз он не будет одурачен тенями иллюзии = его не одурачат иллюзорные тени — но он был /одурачен/ = но его одурачили).

 

hard [hRd], mummery ['mAmqrI], fool [fu:l]

 

"Mesmerism!" muttered Conan, crouching and digging his toes hard against the marble.

His eyes blazed. This brown dog was playing with him, making sport of him! But this mummery, this child's play of mists and shadows of thought, it could not harm him. He had but to leap and strike and the brown acolyte would be a mangled corpse under his heel. This time he would not be fooled by shadows of illusion — but he was.

 

A blood-curdling snarl sounded behind him (чудовищное рычание раздалось позади него), and he wheeled and struck in a flash at the panther crouching to spring on him from the metal-colored table (и он обернулся и ударил молниеносно по пантере, припавшей к земле, /чтобы/ прыгнуть на него со стола с металлическим цветом). Even as he struck, the apparition vanished (как раз, когда он ударил, видение исчезло) and his blade clashed deafeningly on the adamantine surface (и его клинок оглушительно лязгнул по несокрушимой поверхности). Instantly he sensed something abnormal (мгновенно он почувствовал нечто ненормальное). The blade stuck to the table (клинок прилип к столу)! He wrenched at it savagely (он дико дернул за него). It did not give (он не поддался). This was no mesmeristic trick (это был не гипнотический трюк). The table was a giant magnet (стол был гигантским магнитом). He gripped the hilt with both hands (он схватил рукоять обеими руками), when a voice at his shoulder brought him about, to face the brown man, who had at last risen from the divan (когда голос у его плеча привел его в себя, /чтобы/ оказаться лицом к коричневому человеку, который наконец поднялся с дивана; to face — стоять лицом к, быть повернутым в сторону чего-л., смотреть в лицо, в глаза).

 

abnormal [xb'nO:mql], give [gIv], risen [rIzn]

 

A blood-curdling snarl sounded behind him, and he wheeled and struck in a flash at the panther crouching to spring on him from the metal-colored table. Even as he struck, the apparition vanished and his blade clashed deafeningly on the adamantine surface. Instantly he sensed something abnormal. The blade stuck to the table! He wrenched at it savagely. It did not give. This was no mesmeristic trick. The table was a giant magnet. He gripped the hilt with both hands, when a voice at his shoulder brought him about, to face the brown man, who had at last risen from the divan.

 

Slightly taller than Conan and much heavier, Baal-pteor loomed before him, a daunting image of muscular development (чуть выше, чем Конан, и гораздо тяжелее, Баал-птеор разросся перед ним — устрашающий образ мускульного развития). His mighty arms were unnaturally long, and his great hands opened and closed, twitching convulsively (его могучие руки были неестественно длинные, а его огромные кисти открывались и закрывались, судорожно подергиваясь). Conan released the hilt of his imprisoned sword and fell silent, watching his enemy through slitted lids (Конан отпустил рукоять своего захваченного меча и молчал, наблюдая за своим врагом сквозь прищуренные веки; to fall silent — замолчать, умолкнуть).

 

release [rI'li:s], mighty ['maItI], loom [lu:m]

 

Slightly taller than Conan and much heavier, Baal-pteor loomed before him, a daunting image of muscular development. His mighty arms were unnaturally long, and his great hands opened and closed, twitching convulsively. Conan released the hilt of his imprisoned sword and fell silent, watching his enemy thorugh slitted lids.

 

"Your head, Cimmerian!" taunted Baal-pteor (твоя голова, киммериец! — дразнил Баал-птеор). "I shall take it with my bare hands (я возьму ее /моими/ голыми руками), twisting it from your shoulders as the head of a fowl is twisted (сверну ее с твоих плеч, как сворачивают голову птице)! Thus the sons of Kosala offer sacrifice to Yajur (так сыны Косалы приносят жертвы Яджуру). Barbarian, you look upon a strangler of Yota-pong (варвар, ты смотришь на душителя Йота-понга). I was chosen by the priests of Yajur in my infancy (я был избран жрецами Яджура в /моем/ детстве), and throughout childhood, boyhood, and youth I was trained in the art of slaying with the naked hands (и на протяжении детства, отрочества и юношества меня учили искусству убивать голыми руками) — for only thus are the sacrifices enacted (ибо только так предписано приносить жертвы = проводится церемония жертвоприношения). Yajur loves blood, and we waste not a drop from the victim's veins (Яджур любит кровь, и мы не тратим понапрасну ни одной капли крови из вен жертвы). When I was a child they gave me infants to throttle (когда я был ребенком, /они/ мне давали душить детей); when I was a boy I strangled young girls (когда я был мальчиком, я душил юных девочек); as a youth, women, old men, and young boys (/когда я был/ юношей — женщин, стариков и юных мальчиков). Not until I reached my full manhood was I given a strong man to slay on the altar of Yota-pong (лишь когда я достиг моей полной мужественности = полностью возмужал, мне дали: «я был дан» убить на алтаре Йота-понга сильного мужчину).

 

bare [bFq],fowl [faul],sacrifice ['sxkIrfaIs]

 

"Your head, Cimmerian!" taunted Baal-pteor. "I shall take it with my bare hands, twisting it from your shoulders as the head of a fowl is twisted! Thus the sons of Kosala offer sacrifice to Yajur. Barbarian, you look upon a strangler of Yota-pong. I was chosen by the priests of Yajur in my infancy, and throughout childhood, boyhood, and youth I was trained in the art of slaying with the naked hands — for only thus are the sacrifices enacted. Yajur loves blood, and we waste not a drop from the victim's veins. When I was a child they gave me infants to throttle; when I was a boy I strangled young girls; as a youth, women, old men, and young boys. Not until I reached my full manhood was I given a strong man to slay on the altar of Yota-pong.

 

"For years I offered the sacrifices to Yajur (годы я приносил жертвы Яджуру). Hundreds of necks have snapped between these fingers (сотни шей хрустнули между этих пальцев) —" he worked them before the Cimmerian's angry eyes (он пошевелил ими перед сердитыми глазами киммерийца)."Why I fled from Yota-pong to become Totrasmek's servant is no concern of yours (почему я убежал от Йота-понга, /чтобы/ стать слугой Тотрасмека — не твоего ума дело: «никакое отношение твое»). In a moment you will be beyond curiosity (через миг ты будешь вне любопытства = станешь нелюбопытен). The priests of Kosala, the stranglers of Yajur, are strong beyond the belief of men (жрецы Косалы, душители Яджура, сильны за пределами веры людей = сильнее, чем могут представить люди). And I was stronger than any (а я был сильнее, чем любой = любого). With my hands, barbarian, I shall break your neck (моими руками, варвар, я сломаю твою шею)!"

 

angry ['xNgrI], concern [kqn'sq:n], break [breIk]

 

"For years I offered the sacrifices to Yajur. Hundreds of necks have snapped between these fingers —" he worked them before the Cimmerian's angry eyes. "Why I fled from Yota-pong to become Totrasmek's servant is no concern of yours. In a moment you will be beyond curiosity. The priests of Kosala, the stranglers of Yajur, are strong beyond the belief of men. And I was stronger than any. With my hands, barbarian, I shall break your neck!"

 

And like the stroke of twin cobras, the great hands closed on Conan's throat (и словно бросок кобр-близнецов огромные кисти сомкнулись на горле Кована). The Cimmerian made no attempt to dodge or fend them away (киммериец не сделал попытки увернуться или парировать их), but his own hands darted to the Kosalan's bull-neck (но его собственные руки ринулись к бычьей шее косалинца). Baal-pteor's black eyes widened as he felt the thick cords of muscles that protected the barbarian's throat (черные глаза Баал-птеора расширились, когда он почувствовал толстые канаты мускулов, которые защищали горло варвара). With a snarl he exerted his inhuman strength, and knots and lumps and ropes of thews rose along his massive arms (с рычанием он напряг свою нечеловеческую силу, и узлы и бугры и канаты мускулов поднялись вдоль = на его массивных руках; along — вдоль, по). And then a choking gasp burst from him as Conan's fingers locked on his throat (а затем затрудненное от удушья дыхание вырвалось из него, когда пальцы Конана сомкнулись на его горле). For an instant they stood there like statues (мгновение они стояли там как статуи), their faces masks of effort (их лица — напряженные маски: «маски усилия»), veins beginning to stand out purply on their temples (вены начинали выпирать багровым цветом на их висках). Conan's thin lips drew back from his teeth in a grinning snarl (тонкие губы Конана оттянулись назад с зубов = открывая зубы в скалящемся рычании). Baal-pteor's eyes were distended and in them grew an awful surprise and the glimmer of fear (глаза Баал-птеора были выпучены = выпучились, и в них росло страшное удивление и проблеск страха). Both men stood motionless as images (оба мужчины стояли неподвижные, как изваяния), except for the expanding of their muscles on rigid arms and braced legs (за исключением увеличения их мускулов на непоколебимых руках и упертых ногах; rigid — жесткий, негнущийся, негибкий; несгибаемый, твердый, неподатливый; to brace — охватывать, окружать, опоясывать; собирать себя в кулак; усиливать, напрягать), but strength beyond common conception was warring there (но сила за пределами обычного представления сражалась там) — strength that might have uprooted trees and crushed the skulls of bullocks (сила, которая могла бы вырвать с корнем деревья и раздробить черепа волов).

 

thews [Tju:z], purply ['pq:plI], awful ['O:fVl]

 

And like the stroke of twin cobras, the great hands closed on Conan's throat. The Cimmerian made no attempt to dodge or fend them away, but his own hands darted to the Kosalan's bull-neck. Baal-pteor's black eyes widened as he felt the thick cords of muscles that protected the barbarian's throat. With a snarl he exerted his inhuman strength, and knots and lumps and ropes of thews rose along his massive arms. And then a choking gasp burst from him as Conan's fingers locked on his throat. For an instant they stood there like statues, their faces masks of effort, veins beginning to stand out purply on their temples. Conan's thin lips drew back from his teeth in a grinning snarl. Baal-pteor's eyes were distended and in them grew an awful surprise and the glimmer of fear. Both men stood motionless as images, except for the expanding of their muscles on rigid arms and braced legs, but strength beyond common conception was warring there — strength that might have uprooted trees and crushed the skulls of bullocks.

 

The wind whistled suddenly from between Baal-pteor's parted teeth (ветер = поток воздуха вдруг засвистел из разжатых зубов Баал-птеора). His face was growing purple (его лицо становилось багровым = багровело). Fear flooded his eyes (страх залил его глаза). His thews seemed ready to burst from his arms and shoulders (его мускулы с = на /его/ руках и плечах, казалось, готовы лопнуть), yet the muscles of the Cimmerian's thick neck did not give (тем не менее мускулы толстой шеи киммерийца не поддались); they felt like masses of woven iron cords under his desperate fingers (они были на ощупь, как сгустки переплетеных железных канатов под его отчаявшимися пальцами; to feel — быть на ощупь; to weave — плести). But his own flesh was giving way under the iron fingers of the Cimmerian (однако его собственная плоть поддавалась под железными пальцами киммерийца) which ground deeper and deeper into the yielding throat muscles (которые вдавливались глубже и глубже в сдающиеся горловые мышцы), crushing them in upon jugular and windpipe (вдавливая их в яремную вену и дыхательное горло; to give way — уступать, поддаваться).

 

whistle [wIsl], yield [ji:ld], jugular ['GAgjulq]

 

The wind whistled suddenly from between Baal-pteor's parted teeth. His face was growing purple. Fear flooded his eyes. His thews seemed ready to burst from his arms and shoulders, yet the muscles of the Cimmerian's thick neck did not give; they felt like masses of woven iron cords under his desperate fingers. But his own flesh was giving way under the iron fingers of the Cimmerian which ground deeper and deeper into the yielding throat muscles, crushing them in upon jugular and windpipe.

 

The statuesque immobility of the group gave way to sudden, frenzied motion (скульптурная неподвижность группы уступила неожиданному бешеному движению), as the Kosalan began to wrench and heave, seeking to throw himself backward (когда косаланец начал вырываться и поворачиваться, пытаясь откинуться назад). He let go of Conan's throat and grasped his wrists, trying to tear away those inexorable fingers (он отпустил горло Конана и схватил его запястья, стараясь оторвать эти неумолимые пальцы).

With a sudden lunge Conan bore him backward until the small of his back crashed against the table (внезапным броском Конан оттолкнул его назад, пока = так что /его/ поясница ударилась о стол; small of one’s back — поясница). And still farther over its edge Conan bent him, back and back, until his spine was ready to snap (и еще дальше через /его/ край Конан изгибал его, назад и назад, пока его позвоночник /не/ был готов сломаться).

 

statuesque [stxCu'esk], inexorable [I'neksqrqbl], farther ['fRDq]

 

The statuesque immobility of the group gave way to sudden, frenzied motion, as the Kosalan began to wrench and heave, seeking to throw himself backward. He let go of Conan's throat and grasped his wrists, trying to tear away those inexorable fingers.

With a sudden lunge Conan bore him backward until the small of his back crashed against the table. And still farther over its edge Conan bent him, back and back, until his spine was ready to snap.

 

Conan's low laugh was merciless as the ring of steel (низкий смех Конана был безжалостным, как кольцо из стали = стальное кольцо[55]).

"You fool!" he all but whispered (ты дурак! — он лишь шептал). "I think you never saw a man from the West before (я думаю, ты никогда /не/ видел человека с Запада раньше). Did you deem yourself strong, because you were able to twist the heads off civilized folk (ты считал себя сильным, потому что ты мог сворачивать головы цивилизованных людей), poor weaklings with muscles like rotten string (бедных слабаков с мускулами как гнилая веревка; to rot — гнить)? Hell (ад = проклятие)! Break the neck of a wild Cimmerian bull before you call yourself strong (сломай шею дикого киммерийского быка, прежде чем ты назовешь себя сильным = прежде чем назвать себя сильным). I did that, before I was a full-grown man — like this (я сделал это до того, как я стал взрослым мужчиной — вот так)!"

 

merciless ['mq:sIlIs], never ['nevq], bull [bVl]

 

Conan's low laugh was merciless as the ring of steel.

"You fool!" he all but whispered. "I think you never saw a man from the West before. Did you deem yourself strong, because you were able to twist the heads off civilized folk, poor weaklings with muscles like rotten string? Hell! Break the neck of a wild Cimmerian bull before you call yourself strong. I did that, before I was a full-grown man — like this!"

 

And with a savage wrench he twisted Baal-pteor's head around until the ghastly face leered over the left shoulder (и диким рывком он провернул голову Баал-птеора и выкручивал, пока мерзкое лицо /не/ стало смотреть искоса через левое плечо), and the vertebrae snapped like a rotten branch (а позвоночник /не/ треснул, как гнилая ветка).

Conan hurled the flopping corpse to the floor (Конан швырнул обвисшее тело на пол), turned to the sword again, and gripped the hilt with both hands, bracing his feet against the floor (повернулся снова к мечу и схватил рукоять обеими руками, уперев /свои/ ноги в пол). Blood trickled down his broad breast from the wounds Baal-pteor's finger nails had torn in the skin of his neck (кровь сочилась по его широкой груди из ран, /которые/ нанесли ногти пальцев Баал-птеора в коже его шеи). His black hair was damp, sweat ran down his face (его черные волосы были влажные, пот стекал по /его/ лицу), and his chest heaved (а его грудь вздымалась). For all his vocal scorn of Baal-pteor's strength, he had almost met his match in the inhuman Kosalan (несмотря на все его словесное пренебрежение силой Баал-птеора, он встретил почти равного себе в бесчеловечном косаланце; matchравный по силам противник, достойный соперник). But without pausing to catch his breath clung (но не останавливаясь, /чтобы/ перевести /свое/ дыхание), he exerted all his strength in a mighty wrench that tore the sword from the magnet where it (он напряг всю свою силу в могучем рывке, который оторвал меч от магнита, где = к которому он прилип; to cling — цепляться, прилипать, крепко держаться).

 

vertebra ['vq:tIbrq], exert [Ig'zq:t], magnet ['mxgnIt]

 

And with a savage wrench he twisted Baal-pteor's head around until the ghastly face leered over the left shoulder, and the vertebrae snapped like a rotten branch.

Conan hurled the flopping corpse to the floor, turned to the sword again, and gripped the hilt with both hands, bracing his feet against the floor. Blood trickled down his broad breast from the wounds Baal-pteor's finger nails had torn in the skin of his neck. His black hair was damp, sweat ran down his face, and his chest heaved. For all his vocal scorn of Baal-pteor's strength, he had almost met his match in the inhuman Kosalan. But without pausing to catch his breath, he exerted all his strength in a mighty wrench that tore the sword from the magnet where it clung.

 

Another instant and he had pushed open the door from behind which the scream had sounded (еще одно мгновение — и он распахнул дверь: «толкнул открытой дверь», из-за которой раздавался крик), and was looking down a long straight corridor, lined with ivory doors (и смотрел в длинный прямой коридор с рядом дверей из слоновой кости). The other end was masked by a rich velvet curtain другой конец был скрыт богатым бархатным занавесом), and from beyond that curtain came the devilish strains of such music as Conan had never heard, not even in nightmares (и из-за этого занавеса доносились адские мелодии такой музыки, какой Конан никогда /не/ слышал, даже в кошмарах). It made the short hairs bristle on the back of his neck (она заставила короткие волоски встать дыбом на задней части его шеи = от нее волосы у него на загривке встали дыбом). Mingled with it was the panting, hysterical sobbing of a woman (с ней смешивалось = к ней примешивалось тяжелое дыхание: «смешанное с ней было тяжелое дыхание», истеричные всхлипывания женщины). Grasping his sword firmly, he glided down the corridor (сжимая крепко свой меч, он скользнул по коридору).

 

straight [streIt], curtain [kq:tn], bristle [brIsl]

 

Another instant and he had pushed open the door from behind which the scream had sounded, and was looking down a long straight corridor, lined with ivory doors. The other end was masked by a rich velvet curtain, and from beyond that curtain came the devilish strains of such music as Conan had never heard, not even in nightmares. It made the short hairs bristle on the back of his neck. Mingled with it was the panting, hysterical sobbing of a woman. Grasping his sword firmly, he glided down the corridor.

 

4. Dance, Girl, Dance!

(Танцуй, девочка, танцуй!)

 

When Zabibi was jerked head-first through the aperture which opened in the wall behind the idol (когда Забиби была втянута головой вперед через отверстие, которое открылось в стене за идолом), her first, dizzy, disconnected thought was that her time had come (ее первой головокружительной обрывочной мыслью было, что пришло ее время). She instinctively shut her eyes and waited for the blow to fall (она инстинктивно закрыла /свои/ глаза и стала ждать удара, /который/ падет /на нее/). But instead she felt herself dumped unceremoniously onto the smooth marble floor (но вместо /этого/ она почувствовала себя сваленной = почувствовала, как ее свалили бесцеремонно на гладкий мраморный пол), which bruised her knees and hip (от чего /она/ ушибла /свои/ колени и бедро). Opening her eyes, she stared fearfully around her (открыв /свои/ глаза, она испуганно осмотрелась), just as a muffled impact sounded from beyond the wall (как раз когда приглушенный удар раздался из-за стены). She saw a brown-skinned giant in a loin cloth standing over her (она увидела коричневокожего гиганта в набедренной повязке, стоящего над ней), and, across the chamber into which she had come, a man sat on a divan (и через комнату = на другом конце комнаты, в которую она попала, на диване сидел мужчина), with his back to a rich black velvet curtain (спиной к богатому черному бархатному занавесу), a broad, fleshy man, with fat white hands and snaky eyes (широкий, тучный мужчина с толстыми белыми руками и злобными глазами; snake — змея, гадюка). And her flesh crawled (и у нее по телу побежали мурашки), for this man was Totrasmek, the priest of Hanuman (ибо этот мужчина была Тотрасмек, жрец Ханумана), who for years had spun his slimy webs of power throughout the city of Zamboula (который уже годы плел свою липкую паутину власти по всему городу Замбуле; to spin — плести, прясть, сучить).

 

aperture ['xpqCq], smooth [smu:D], throughout [Tru:'aut]

 

When Zabibi was jerked head-first through the aperture which opened in the wall behind the idol, her first, dizzy, disconnected thought was that her time had come. She instinctively shut her eyes and waited for the blow to fall. But instead she felt herself dumped unceremoniously onto the smooth marble floor, which bruised her knees and hip. Opening her eyes, she stared fearfully around her, just as a muffled impact sounded from beyond the wall. She saw a brown-skinned giant in a loin cloth standing over her, and, across the chamber into which she had come, a man sat on a divan, with his back to a rich black velvet curtain, a broad, fleshy man, with fat white hands and snaky eyes. And her flesh crawled, for this man was Totrasmek, the priest of Hanuman, who for years had spun his slimy webs of power throughout the city of Zamboula.

 

"The barbarian seeks to batter his way through the wall," said Totrasmek sardonically, "but the bolt will hold (варвар пытается пробить /свою/ дорогу сквозь стену, — сказал сардонически Тотрасмек, — но засов выдержит)."

The girl saw that a heavy golden bolt had been shot across the hidden door (девушка увидела, что тяжелый золотой засов был переброшен поперек спрятанной двери), which was plainly discernible from this side of the wall (которая была ясно видима с этой стороны стены). The bolt and its sockets would have resisted the charge of an elephant (засов и его скобы выдержали бы атаку слона).

 

hold [hquld], discernible [dI'sq:nqbl], resist [rI'zIst]

 

"The barbarian seeks to batter his way through the wall," said Totrasmek sardonically, "but the bolt will hold."

The girl saw that a heavy golden bolt had been shot across the hidden door, which was plainly discernible from this side of the wall. The bolt and its sockets would have resisted the charge of an elephant.

 

"Go open one of the doors for him, Baal-pteor," ordered Totrasmek (пойди открой ему одну из дверей, Баал-птеор, — приказал Тотрасмек). "Slay him in the square chamber at the other end of the corridor (убей его в квадратной комнате в другом конце коридора)."

The Kosalan salaamed (косаланец низко поклонился с правой ладонью на лбу; to salaam — низко поклониться, приложив правую ладонь ко лбу: «сделать селям») and departed by the way of a door in the side wall of the chamber (и ушел через дверь в боковой стене комнаты). Zabibi rose, staring fearfully at the priest (Забиби поднялась, глядя со страхом на жреца), whose eyes ran avidly over her splendid figure (чьи глаза = глаза которого жадно пробежали по ее великолепной фигуре). To this she was indifferent (к этому она была равнодушна). A dancer of Zamboula was accustomed to nakedness (танцовщица Замбулы была привыкшей = привыкла к наготе). But the cruelty in his eyes started her limbs to quivering (но жестокость в его глазах бросило ее конечности в дрожь = вызвало дрожь в ее конечностях).

 

order ['O:dq], square [skwFq], avidly ['xvIdlI]

 

"Go open one of the doors for him, Baal-pteor," ordered Totrasmek. "Slay him in the square chamber at the other end of the corridor."

The Kosalan salaamed and departed by the way of a door in the side wall of the chamber. Zabibi rose, staring fearfully at the priest, whose eyes ran avidly over her splendid figure. To this she was indifferent. A dancer of Zamboula was accustomed to nakedness. But the cruelty in his eyes started her limbs to quivering.

 

"Again you come to me in my retreat, beautiful one," he purred with cynical hypocrisy (опять ты приходишь = пришла ко мне в мое пристанище, красавица: «красивая одна», — промурлыкал он с циничным лицемерием). "It is an unexpected honor (это неожиданная честь). You seemed to enjoy your former visit so little (ты, кажется, так мало получила удовольствия от своего прежнего визита), that I dared not hope for you to repeat it (что я не смел надеяться, /что/ ты повторишь его; to enjoy — получать удовольствие, наслаждаться). Yet I did all in my power to provide you with an interesting experience (однако я сделал все /что было/ в моих силах, /чтобы/ обеспечить тебя = доставить тебе интересные впечатления: «интересный опыт»; to provide smb. with smth. — обеспечить кого-л. чем-л.)."

 

dilate [daI'leIt], dancer ['dRnsq], impossibility [Im"pOsq'bIlItI]

 

For a Zamboulan dancer to blush would be an impossibility (для замбульской танцовщицы покраснеть от стыда было бы невозможностью = невероятно), but a smolder of anger mingled with the fear in Zabibi's dilated eyes (но огонь гнева смешался со страхом в расширенных глазах Забиби).

"Fat pig (жирная свинья)! You know I did not come here for love of you (ты знаешь, /что/ я пришла сюда не ради любви к тебе)."

 

"Again you come to me in my retreat, beautiful one," he purred with cynical hypocrisy. "It is an unexpected honor. You seemed to enjoy your former visit so little, that I dared not hope for you to repeat it. Yet I did all in my power to provide you with an interesting experience."

For a Zamboulan dancer to blush would be an impossibility, but a smolder of anger mingled with the fear in Zabibi's dilated eyes.

"Fat pig! You know I did not come here for love of you."

 

"No," laughed Totrasmek, "you came like a fool, creeping through the night with a stupid barbarian to cut my throat (нет, — засмеялся Тотрасмек, — ты пришла, как дурочка, прокравшись в ночи с тупым варваром, /чтобы/ перерезать мое горло = мне горло). Why should you seek my life (зачем ты должна искать мою жизнь = зачем ты покушаешься на мою жизнь; to seek smb.'s life — покушаться на чью-л. жизнь)?"

"You know why!" she cried, knowing the futility of trying to dissemble (ты знаешь зачем! — крикнула она, зная тщетность попыток притворяться).

"You are thinking of your lover," he laughed (ты думаешь о твоем любовнике, — засмеялся он). "The fact that you are here seeking my life shows that he quaffed the drug I gave you (тот факт = то, что ты находишься здесь, покушаясь на мою жизнь, показывает = свидетельствует, что он выпил снадобье, /которое/ я дал тебе). Well, did you not ask for it (ну, /разве/ ты не просила его)? And did I not send what you asked for, out of the love I bear you (и /разве/ я не послал то, чего ты просила, из любви, /которую/ я питаю к тебе)?"

 

should [SVd], futility [fju:'tIlItI], quaff [kwRf]

 

"No," laughed Totrasmek, "you came like a fool, creeping through the night with a stupid barbarian to cut my throat. Why should you seek my life?"

"You know why!" she cried, knowing the futility of trying to dissemble.

"You are thinking of your lover," he laughed. "The fact that you are here seeking my life shows that he quaffed the drug I gave you. Well, did you not ask for it? And did I not send what you asked for, out of the love I bear you?"

 

"I asked you for a drug that would make him slumber harmlessly for a few hours," she said bitterly (я просила у тебя снадобье, которое бы усыпило его: «заставило его спать» без вреда на несколько часов, — сказала она горестно; bitter — горький). "And you — you sent your servant with a drug that drove him mad (а ты — ты послал своего слугу со снадобьем, которое свело его с ума)! I was a fool ever to trust you (я была дурой, /что/ вообще поверила тебе: «когда-либо поверить тебе»). I might have known your protestations of friendship were lies, to disguise your hate and spite (я могла бы знать = догадаться, /что/ твои заверения в дружбе были ложью, /чтобы/ скрыть твою ненависть и злобу)."

 

ask [Rsk], friendship ['frendSIp], disguise [dIs'gaIz]

 

"I asked you for a drug that would make him slumber harmlessly for a few hours," she said bitterly. "And you — you sent your servant with a drug that drove him mad! I was a fool ever to trust you. I might have known your protestations of friendship were lies, to disguise your hate and spite."

 

"Why did you wish your lover to sleep?" he retorted (для чего ты хотела, /чтобы/ твой любовник спал? — отпарировал он). "So you could steal from him the only thing he would never give you (так бы ты смогла украсть у него единственную вещь, /которую/ он никогда бы не подарил тебе) — the ring with the jewel men call the Star of Khorala (кольцо с драгоценным камнем, /который/ люди называют Звездой Хорала) — the star stolen from the queen of Ophir, who would pay a roomful of gold for its return (звездой, похищенной у королевы Офира, которая заплатила бы полную комнату золота за его возврат = чтобы вернуть его; to steal — украсть, похитить). He would not give it to you willingly (он не отдал бы его тебе добровольно), because he knew that it holds a magic which, when properly controlled (потому что он знал, что оно держит волшебство = обладает волшебной силой, которая, при надлежащем управлении: «когда надлежащим образом управляемая»), will enslave the hearts of any of the opposite sex (поработит сердце любого /человека/ противоположного пола). You wished to steal it from him (ты хотела стащить его (камень) у него (любовника)), fearing that his magicians would discover the key to that magic (боясь, что его волшебники найдут ключ к этому волшебству) and he would forget you in his conquests of the queens of the world (и он забудет тебя в завоевании цариц мира = завоевывая / покоряя цариц мира). You would sell it back to the queen of Ophir, who understands its power and would use it to enslave me (ты бы продала его обратно королеве Офира, которая понимает его силу и использовала бы его, /чтобы/ покорить меня), as she did before it was stolen (как она сделала до того, как он был украден; to steal — красть)."

 

queen [kwi:n], magician [mq'GISqn], forget [fq'get]

 

"Why did you wish your lover to sleep?" he retorted. "So you could steal from him the only thing he would never give you — the ring with the jewel men call the Star of Khorala — the star stolen from the queen of Ophir, who would pay a roomful of gold for its return. He would not give it to you willingly, because he knew that it holds a magic which, when properly controlled, will enslave the hearts of any of the opposite sex. You wished to steal it from him, fearing that his magicians would discover the key to that magic and he would forget you in his conquests of the queens of the world. You would sell it back to the queen of Ophir, who understands its power and would use it to enslave me, as she did before it was stolen."

 

"And why do you want it?" she demanded sulkily (а почему ты хочешь его = а зачем он тебе? — спросила она мрачно).

"I understand its powers (я понимаю его силы). It would increase the power of my arts (он бы увеличил мощь моих искусств = моих чар)."

"Well," she snapped, "you have it now (ну, — сказала она раздраженно, — ты имеешь его теперь = он теперь у тебя)!"

"I have the Star of Khorala (у меня Звезда Хорала)? Nay, you err (нет, ты заблуждаешься)."

 

demand [dI'mRnd], increase [In'kri:s], err [q:]

 

"And why do you want it?" she demanded sulkily.

"I understand its powers. It would increase the power of my arts."

"Well," she snapped, "you have it now!"

"I have the Star of Khorala? Nay, you err."

 

"Why bother to lie?" she retorted bitterly (к чему утруждать себя ложью? — отпарировала она горько). "He had it on his finger when he drove me into the streets (он имел ее на его пальце = она была у него на пальце, когда он вывел меня на улицу). He did not have it when I found him again (ее не было у него, когда я нашла его снова). Your servant must have been watching the house, and have taken it from him, after I escaped him (твой слуга, наверное, наблюдал за домом и забрал ее у него, после того как я убежала от него). To the devil with it (к черту с ней = ну и шут с ней)! I want my lover back sane and whole (я хочу = мне нужен мой любовник назад в здравом уме и невредимый). You have the ring; you have punished us both (у тебя есть кольцо, ты наказал нас обоих). Why do you not restore his mind to him (почему тебе не вернуть ему разум)? Can you (ты можешь)?"

 

bother ['bODq], retort [rI'tO:t], punish ['pAnIS]

 

"Why bother to lie?" she retorted bitterly. "He had it on his finger when he drove me into the streets. He did not have it when I found him again. Your servant must have been watching the house, and have taken it from him, after I escaped him. To the devil with it! I want my lover back sane and whole. You have the ring; you have punished us both. Why do you not restore his mind to him? Can you?"

 

"I could," he assured her, in evident enjoyment of her distress (я мог бы, — уверил он ее в очевидном наслаждении от ее горя). He drew a phial from among his robes (он вытащил пузырек из /среди/ своих одеяний). "This contains the juice of the golden lotus (это содержит сок золотого лотоса). If your lover drank it, he would be sane again (если бы твой любовник выпил это, он был бы снова в здравом уме). Yes, I will be merciful (да, я буду милостив). You have both thwarted and flouted me, not once but many times вы оба мешали мне и попирали меня, не раз, а много раз; to flout — презирать; попирать; не подчиняться); he has constantly opposed my wishes (он постоянно препятствовал моим желаниям). But I will be merciful (однако я буду милостив). Come and take the phial from my hand (подойди и возьми склянку из моей руки)."

 

assure [q'Suq], phial ['faIql], thwart [TwO:t]

 

"I could," he assured her, in evident enjoyment of her distress. He drew a phial from among his robes. "This contains the juice of the golden lotus. If your lover drank it, he would be sane again. Yes, I will be merciful. You have both thwarted and flouted me, not once but many times; he has constantly opposed my wishes. But I will be merciful. Come and take the phial from my hand."

 

She stared at Totrasmek, trembling with eagerness to seize it, but fearing it was but some cruel jest (она уставилась на Тотрасмека, дрожа от нетерпения схватить ее, но опасаясь, /что/ это была лишь какая жестокая шутка). She advanced timidly, with a hand extended (она робко двинулась вперед с протянутой рукой), and he laughed heartlessly and drew back out of her reach (а он бессердечно засмеялся и отступил за пределы /ее/ досягаемости). Even as her lips parted to curse him, some instinct snatched her eyes upward (как раз когда ее губы разжались, /чтобы/ проклясть его, какой-то инстинкт поднял ее глаза вверх). From the gilded ceiling four jade-hued vessels were falling (с позолоченного потолка падали четыре желтовато-зеленых сосуда; jade — жадеит; нефрит; желтовато-зеленый цвет; hue — краска, оттенок, тон, цвет). She dodged, but they did not strike her (она увернулась, но = и они не ударили ее). They crashed to the floor about her, forming the four corners of a square (они разбились о пол вокруг нее, образуя четыре угла квадрата). And she screamed, and screamed again (а она визжала и визжала снова). For out of each ruin reared the hooded head of a cobra, and one struck at her bare leg (так как из каждого осколка поднималась голова кобры с капюшоном, и одна напала на ее обнаженную ногу). Her convulsive movement to evade it brought her within reach of the one on the other side (ее судорожное движение, /чтобы/ избежать ее, привела ее в пределы досягаемости одной = кобры с другой стороны) and again she had to shift like lightning to avoid the flash of its hideous head (и снова ей пришлось, как молния = молниеносно перекатиться, /чтобы/ избежать броска ее мерзкой головы).

 

timidly ['tImIdlI], ceiling ['si:lIN], hideous ['hIdIqs]

 

She stared at Totrasmek, trembling with eagerness to seize it, but fearing it was but some cruel jest. She advanced timidly, with a hand extended, and he laughed heartlessly and drew back out of her reach. Even as her lips parted to curse him, some instinct snatched her eyes upward. From the gilded ceiling four jade-hued vessels were falling. She dodged, but they did not strike her. They crashed to the floor about her, forming the four corners of a square. And she screamed, and screamed again. For out of each ruin reared the hooded head of a cobra, and one struck at her bare leg. Her convulsive movement to evade it brought her within reach of the one on the other side and again she had to shift like lightning to avoid the flash of its hideous head.

 

She was caught in a frightful trap (она была поймана = попалась в страшную ловушку). All four serpents were swaying and striking at foot, ankle, calf, knee, thigh, hip (все четыре змеи качались и нападали на ступню, лодыжку, икру, колено, бедро (ногу от колена до бедра), бедро (таз)), whatever portion of her voluptuous body chanced to be nearest to them (какая бы часть ее роскошного тела не оказалась ближе всего к ним), and she could not spring over them or pass between them to safety (и она не могла перепрыгнуть их или пройти между ними в безопасное место). She could only whirl and spring aside and twist her body to avoid the strokes (она могла только кружиться, отпрыгивать и изгибать свое тело, /чтобы/ избежать атак), and each time she moved to dodge one snake (и каждый раз, как она передвигалась, /чтобы/ увернуться от одной змеи), the motion brought her within range of another (движение приводило ее в пределы досягаемости другой), so that she had to keep shifting with the speed of light (так что ей приходилось постоянно перемещаться со скоростью света; to spring aside — отпрыгивать (в сторону)). She could move only a short space in any direction (она могла передвигаться лишь в небольшом пространстве в любом направлении), and the fearful hooded crests were menacing her every second (и страшные гребни в капюшонах угрожали ее каждую секунду). Only a dancer of Zamboula could have lived in that grisly square (только танцовщица из Замбулы могла выжить в этом ужасном квадрате).

 

frightful ['fraItfVl], calf [kRf], voluptuous [vq'lApCVqs]

 

She was caught in a frightful trap. All four serpents were swaying and striking at foot, ankle, calf, knee, thigh, hip, whatever portion of her voluptuous body chanced to be nearest to them, and she could not spring over them or pass between them to safety. She could only whirl and spring aside and twist her body to avoid the strokes, and each time she moved to dodge one snake, the motion brought her within range of another, so that she had to keep shifting with the speed of light. She could move only a short space in any direction, and the fearful hooded crests were menacing her every second. Only a dancer of Zamboula could have lived in that grisly square.

 

She became, herself, a blur of bewildering motion (она стала сама неясным пятном головокружительного движения). The heads missed her by hair's breadths, but they missed (головы промахивались по ней на толщину волоса, но они промахивались), as she pitted her twinkling feet (так как она противопоставляла свои мелькающие ступни), flickering limbs (быстро проносящиеся конечности), and perfect eye (и совершенный глазомер) against the blinding speed of the scaly demons (против ослепительной скорости чешуйчатых демонов) her enemy had conjured out of thin air (/которых/ ее враг вызвал из разреженного воздуха = вакуума).

 

motion ['mquSn], enemy ['enImI], conjure ['kAnGq]