Edgar Burroughs - Английский язык с Э. Р. Берроузом. Принцесса Марса

diminishing [dI'mInISIN],converging [kqn'vWdZIN], conversation ["kOnvq'seISn], forthwith ['fO:TwID]

The shores of the ancient seas were dotted with just such cities, and lesser ones, in diminishing numbers, were to be found converging toward the center of the oceans, as the people had found it necessary to follow the receding waters until necessity had forced upon them their ultimate salvation, the so-called Martian canals.

We had been so engrossed in exploration of the building and in our conversation that it was late in the afternoon before we realized it. We were brought back to a realization of our present conditions by a messenger bearing a summons from Lorquas Ptomel directing me to appear before him forthwith. Bidding Dejah Thoris and Sola farewell, and commanding Woola to remain on guard, I hastened to the audience chamber, where I found Lorquas Ptomel and Tars Tarkas seated upon the rostrum.

As I entered and saluted (когда я вошел и поздоровался; to salute — приветствовать, здороваться ), Lorquas Ptomel signaled to me to advance (Лорквас Птомель сделал мне знак приблизиться), and, fixing his great, hideous eyes upon me, addressed me thus (и, устремив на меня взгляд своих огромных, ужасных глаз, обратился ко мне следующим образом):

"You have been with us a few days (ты провел с нами несколько дней), yet during that time you have by your prowess won a high position among us (однако за это время благодаря твоей доблести ты достиг высокого положения среди нас). Be that as it may (но как бы там ни было), you are not one of us; you owe us no allegiance (ты — не один из нас, у тебя нет морального долга хранить нам верность; toowe— быть должным; иметь моральный долг; allegiance— верность, преданность ).

salute [sq'lu:t], allegiance [q'li:dZ(q)ns]

As I entered and saluted, Lorquas Ptomel signaled to me to advance, and, fixing his great, hideous eyes upon me, addressed me thus:

"You have been with us a few days, yet during that time you have by your prowess won a high position among us. Be that as it may, you are not one of us; you owe us no allegiance.

"Your position is a peculiar one," he continued (твое положение особенное, — продолжил он); "you are a prisoner and yet you give commands which must be obeyed (ты — пленник, и в то же время ты отдаешь команды, которым следует подчиняться); you are an alien and yet you are a Tharkian chieftain (ты — чужак, и в то же время ты — вождь тарков); you are a midget and yet you can kill a mighty warrior with one blow of your fist (ты — карлик, и все же ты можешь убить могучего воина ударом кулака). And now you are reported (а теперь о тебе доносят) to have been plotting to escape with another prisoner of another race (что ты замышляешь побег с другой пленницей другой расы); a prisoner who, from her own admission, half believes you are returned from the valley of Dor (с пленницей, которая по своему собственному признанию, наполовину убеждена, что ты вернулся из долины Дор). Either one of these accusations, if proved (любое из этих обвинений, если будет доказано), would be sufficient grounds for your execution (будет достаточным основанием для твоей казни), but we are a just people (но мы — справедливый народ) and you shall have a trial on our return to Thark (и тебе предстоит судебное разбирательство при нашем возвращении в Тарк; trial — судебноеразбирательство, суд ), if Tal Hajus so commands (если Тал Хаджус отдаст такой приказ).

midget ['mIdZIt], mighty ['maItI], accusation ["xkju'zeIS(q)n]

"Your position is a peculiar one," he continued; "you are a prisoner and yet you give commands which must be obeyed; you are an alien and yet you are a Tharkian chieftain; you are a midget and yet you can kill a mighty warrior with one blow of your fist. And now you are reported to have been plotting to escape with another prisoner of another race; a prisoner who, from her own admission, half believes you are returned from the valley of Dor. Either one of these accusations, if proved, would be sufficient grounds for your execution, but we are a just people and you shall have a trial on our return to Thark, if Tal Hajus so commands.

"But," he continued, in his fierce guttural tones (но, — продолжил он неприятным гортанным голосом; fierce — свирепый ) "if you run off with the red girl (если ты сбежишь с красной девушкой), it is I who shall have to account to Tal Hajus (именно мне придется держать ответ перед Талом Хаджусом); it is I who shall have to face Tars Tarkas (именно мне придется столкнуться лицом к лицу с Тарсом Таркасом), and either demonstrate my right to command (и либо доказать мое право командовать; to demonstrate — демонстрировать; доказывать ), or the metal from my dead carcass will go to a better man (либо знаки с моего мертвого тела перейдут к более достойному человеку), for such is the custom of the Tharks (ибо именно таков обычай тарков).

"I have no quarrel with Tars Tarkas (у меня нет /причин/ для ссоры с Тарсом Таркасом); together we rule supreme the greatest of the lesser communities among the green men (вместе мы осуществляем верховную власть над самыми обширными из второстепенных общин зеленых людей); we do not wish to fight between ourselves (мы не хотим сражаться между собой); and so if you were dead, John Carter, I should be glad (и поэтому, если бы ты был мертв, Джон Картер, я был бы рад). Under two conditions only, however, may you be killed by us without orders from Tal Hajus (однако только при двух условиях ты можешь быть убит нами без приказания Тала Хаджуса); in personal combat in self-defense, should you attack one of us (в личной схватке при самообороне, если ты атакуешь одного из нас), or were you apprehended in an attempt to escape (или если тебя задержат при попытке к бегству).

fierce [fIqs], guttural ['gAt(q)rql], quarrel ['kwOrql], apprehend ["xprI'hend]

"But," he continued, in his fierce guttural tones, "if you run off with the red girl, it is I who shall have to account to Tal Hajus; it is I who shall have to face Tars Tarkas, and either demonstrate my right to command, or the metal from my dead carcass will go to a better man, for such is the custom of the Tharks.

"I have no quarrel with Tars Tarkas; together we rule supreme the greatest of the lesser communities among the green men; we do not wish to fight between ourselves; and so if you were dead, John Carter, I should be glad. Under two conditions only, however, may you be killed by us without orders from Tal Hajus; in personal combat in self-defense, should you attack one of us, or were you apprehended in an attempt to escape.

"As a matter of justice I must warn you (в интересах справедливости я должен предупредить тебя) that we only await one of these two excuses (мы только и ждем одного из этих двух поводов) for ridding ourselves of so great a responsibility (чтобы избавиться от такой огромной ответственности). The safe delivery of the red girl to Tal Hajus is of the greatest importance (благополучная доставка красной девушки Талу Хаджусу имеет важнейшее значение). Not in a thousand years have the Tharks made such a capture (впервые за тысячу лет тарки получили такого пленника: «осуществили такое пленение»); she is the granddaughter of the greatest of the red jeddaks (она — внучка величайшего из красных джеддаков), who is also our bitterest enemy (который одновременно является нашим злейшим врагом; bitter — горький; bitter enemy — злейшийвраг ). I have spoken (я все сказал/я высказался). The red girl told us that we were without the softer sentiments of humanity (красная девушка сказала нам, что у нас нет утонченных чувств людей), but we are a just and truthful race (но мы — справедливая и правдивая раса). You may go (ты можешь идти)."

Turning, I left the audience chamber (повернувшись, я покинул зал для аудиенций). So this was the beginning of Sarkoja's persecution (итак, это было начало преследований /со стороны/ Саркоджи)! I knew that none other could be responsible for this report (я знал, что никто другой не может нести ответственность за этот донос; to be responsible for — бытьответственным, бытьинициатором ) which had reached the ears of Lorquas Ptomel so quickly (который достиг ушей Лоркваса Птомеля так быстро), and now I recalled those portions of our conversation (и теперь я припомнил те части нашего разговора) which had touched upon escape and upon my origin (которые касались бегства и моего происхождения).

responsibility [rI"spOnsq'bIlItI], delivery [dI'lIv(q)rI], truthful ['tru:Tful], persecution ["pWsI'kju:S(q)n]

"As a matter of justice I must warn you that we only await one of these two excuses for ridding ourselves of so great a responsibility. The safe delivery of the red girl to Tal Hajus is of the greatest importance. Not in a thousand years have the Tharks made such a capture; she is the granddaughter of the greatest of the red jeddaks, who is also our bitterest enemy. I have spoken. The red girl told us that we were without the softer sentiments of humanity, but we are a just and truthful race. You may go."

Turning, I left the audience chamber. So this was the beginning of Sarkoja's persecution! I knew that none other could be responsible for this report which had reached the ears of Lorquas Ptomel so quickly, and now I recalled those portions of our conversation which had touched upon escape and upon my origin.