Джонатан Свифт - Английский язык с Джонатаном Свифтом. Путешествия Гулливера

threaten [Tretn], invasion [In'veIZ(q)n], doubt [daVt]

Now, on top of all this, the country was threatened with an invasion from the island of Blefuscu. This was the other great Empire of the Universe and almost as large as Lilliput. Although they had heard from me that there were other kingdoms in the world with people as large as myself, they were in doubt and would prefer to think that I had dropped from the moon or one of the stars. A hundred people of my size would, in a short time, destroy all the crops and cattle on His Majesty's land.

Their history, which goes back five hundred years (их летописи, которые ведутся уже пятьсот лет; history — история; историческая наука; хроника, летописи; to go back — идти назад, возвращаться; простираться назад, уходить вглубь /во времени или пространстве/ ), didn't mention any other countries apart from Lilliput and Blefuscu (не упоминают ни о каких других странах, кроме Лилипутии и Блефуску). These two mighty powers (эти две могущественные державы; power — сила, мощь; держава ) had been at war for the last three years (уже три года: «в течение трех последних лет» находятся в состоянии войны). Reldresal explained to me how it had come about (объяснил мне, как это случилось = причину этого; to come about — появляться, возникать; случаться, происходить /когда речь идет о причинах, способе, времени появления чего-л./ ).

history ['hIst(q)rI], mention ['menS(q)n], come [kAm]

Their history, which goes back five hundred years, didn't mention any other countries apart from Lilliput and Blefuscu. These two mighty powers had been at war for the last three years. Reldresal explained to me how it had come about.

It had been generally accepted (/раньше/ было общепринятым; generally — вообще; обычно, как правило; в большинстве случаев; повсеместно; to accept — принимать; соглашаться ) that the correct way to take the top off an egg (что правильный способ очистить яйцо от скорлупы: «снять верх с яйца») before eating it (прежде чем его есть) was by breaking the larger end (— /это/ разбить его с тупого конца: «при помощи разбивания большего конца»). But the King's grandfather, when he was a boy (но дед /нынешнего/ короля/монарха, когда был ребенком: «мальчиком»), happened to cut one of his fingers (нечаянно порезал себе палец; to happen — случаться, происходить; to happen to do smth. — непреднамеренно совершить какое-л. действие ) while breaking the top off his egg in this usual way (очищая яйцо этим обычным/традиционным способом; while — в то время как ). So the boy's father, the Emperor (тогда император, отец ребенка), made a law ordering all his people to break their eggs at the smaller end (сделал = издал закон, предписывающий всем его подданным разбивать яйца с острого: «меньшего» конца).

correct [kq'rekt], grandfather ['grxn(d)"fRDq], finger ['fINgq]

It had been generally accepted that the correct way to take the top off an egg before eating it was by breaking the larger end. But the King's grandfather, when he was a boy, happened to cut one of his fingers while breaking the top off his egg in this usual way. So the boy's father, the Emperor, made a law ordering all his people to break their eggs at the smaller end.

The people hated this law so much (люди возненавидели этот закон так сильно = до такой степени) that it had caused six rebellions (что он стал причиной шести восстаний). One Emperor even lost his life (один император даже потерял жизнь) and another his crown (а другой — корону). Over the years (на протяжении многих лет), eleven thousand people had suffered death (одиннадцать тысяч человек пошли на казнь; to suffer — страдать; испытывать, претерпевать; to suffer death — подвергаться смертной казни ) rather than break their eggs at the smaller end (лишь бы не разбивать яйца с острого конца; rather — лучше, охотнее, предпочтительнее ). Many Big-Endians had left Lilliput and gone to live in Blefuscu (многие тупоконечники покинули Лилипутию и переселились: «отправились жить» в Блефуску). Hundreds of books had been written about this dispute (были написаны сотни книг, посвященных этому спору: «об этом споре»; to write ). But the books written by the Big-Endians had been banned (но книги, написанные тупоконечниками, были запрещены).

rebellion [rI'beljqn], rather ['rRDq], live [lIv]

The people hated this law so much that it had caused six rebellions. One Emperor even lost his life and another his crown. Over the years, eleven thousand people had suffered death rather than break their eggs at the smaller end. Many Big-Endians had left Lilliput and gone to live in Blefuscu. Hundreds of books had been written about this dispute. But the books written by the Big-Endians had been banned.

The Big-Endians, who were welcomed in Blefuscu (тупоконечники, которые были радушно приняты в Блефуску), had gained so much support from their party at home (получили такую поддержку со стороны своих единомышленников на родине; party — сторона в сражении, споре; участник, соучастник; группа; политическая партия ) that a bloody war had been going on between the two Empires for three years (что кровавая война между двумя = обеими империями продолжается /уже/ в течение трех лет; to go on — идти дальше; продолжать/ся/; длиться ). During this time, the Lilliputians had lost forty ships (за это время лилипуты потеряли сорок крупных кораблей; ship — корабль; трехмачтовая шхуна ) and many more smaller vessels (намного больше малых: «меньших» судов; vessel — сосуд; судно, корабль ). They had also lost thirty thousand seamen and soldiers (также они лишились тридцати тысяч моряков и солдат). The damage received by the enemy was thought to be even greater (полагают, что ущерб, понесенный: «полученный» противником, еще больше/значительнее: «ущерб… считается еще более значительным»).

welcome ['welkqm], bloody ['blAdI], even ['Jv(q)n]

The Big-Endians, who were welcomed in Blefuscu, had gained so much support from their party at home that a bloody war had been going on between the two Empires for three years. During this time, the Lilliputians had lost forty ships and many more smaller vessels. They had also lost thirty thousand seamen and soldiers. The damage received by the enemy was thought to be even greater.

However, there was a further point (однако было еще одно обстоятельство; further — /сравнит. степень от far/ более далекий; дальнейший, добавочный; point — точка; пункт, момент, вопрос; дело ) that Reldresal wanted to make clear to me (которое Pелдресел хотел мне разъяснить: «сделать ясным для меня»). Blefuscu now had a large fleet (имел теперь большой флот) and was preparing to invade (и готовился к нападению: «вторгнуться/напасть»). His Majesty, who was confident of my bravery and strength (его величество, который был уверен в = доверяясь моей храбрости и силе), had asked Redresal to tell me about these affairs (просил Релдресела сообщить мне об этих /государственных/ делах). I asked the Secretary to tell the Emperor (я попросил секретаря сказать = передать императору) that I thought it better, as a foreigner (что я, как иностранец = будучи иностранцем , считаю за лучшее), not to interfere in party politics (не вмешиваться в политику партий). However, I added that I was ready to risk my life (однако я прибавил, что готов рисковать своей жизнью) to defend him and his country against invaders (чтобы защитить его /самого/ и его страну от захватчиков).

confident ['kOnfIdqnt], foreigner ['fOrInq], ready ['redI]

However, there was a further point that Reldresal wanted to make clear to me. Blefuscu now had a large fleet and was preparing to invade. His Majesty, who was confident of my bravery and strength, had asked Redresal to tell me about these affairs. I asked the Secretary to tell the Emperor that I thought it better, as a foreigner, not to interfere in party politics. However, I added that I was ready to risk my life to defend him and his country against invaders.

5

The Empire of Blefuscu is an island (империя Блефуску есть остров) situated to the north-east of Lilliput (расположенный на северо-восток от Лилипутии). The channel dividing the two Empires (пролив, разделяющий две империи) is only eight hundred yards wide (имеет всего лишь восемьсот ярдов в ширину). I avoided that side of the coast (я избегал той стороны = части побережья) for fear of being seen by the enemy (из опасения быть увиденным неприятелем). They knew nothing about me (они = жители Блефуску ничего не знали обо мне), since all communication between the two Empires was forbidden during the war (так как во время войны всякое сношение между двумя империями было запрещено; to forbid ).

situated ['sItjVeItId], nothing ['nATIN], communication [kq"mjHnI'keIS(q)n]

The Empire of Blefuscu is an island situated to the north-east of Lilliput. The channel dividing the two Empires is only eight hundred yards wide. I avoided that side of the coast for fear of being seen by the enemy. They knew nothing about me, since all communication between the two Empires was forbidden during the war.