The Guardian of the Gate (стражник ворот)

 

It was some time before the Cowardly Lion awakened (проснулся), for he had lain (лежал) among the poppies a long while (долгое время), breathing in their deadly fragrance (вдыхая их смертельный аромат); but when he did open his eyes and roll off the truck (действительно открыл свои глаза и скатился с тележки) he was very glad to find himself still alive (обнаружить себя еще живым).

"I ran as fast as I could (бежал так быстро, как я мог)," he said (сказал), sitting down and yawning (зевая), "but the flowers were too strong for me (слишком сильными для меня). How did you get me out (как вы вытащили меня)?" Then they told him of the field mice (рассказали ему о полевых мышах), and how they had generously saved him from death (великодушно спасли его от смерти); and the Cowardly Lion laughed (засмеялся), and said: "I have always thought myself very big and terrible (ужасным); yet (однако) such little things as flowers came near to killing me (чуть не убили меня), and such small animals as mice have saved my life. How strange it all is (как странно это все)!

But, comrades (товарищи), what shall we do now?"

"We must journey on (путешествовать /дальше/) until we find the road of yellow brick again (пока не найдем дорогу из желтого кирпича снова)," said Dorothy, "and then we can keep on (продолжать) to the Emerald City." So, the Lion being fully refreshed (будучи полностью подкрепленным = полностью окрепнув), and feeling quite himself again, they all started upon the journey, greatly enjoying the walk through the soft, fresh grass (весьма наслаждаясь прогулкой по мягкой, свежей траве; to enjoy — наслаждаться); and it was not long before they reached (достигли) the road of yellow brick and turned (повернули) again toward the Emerald City where the Great Oz dwelt (обитал; to dwell).

The road was smooth and well paved (гладкой и хорошо мощеной), now, and the country about was beautiful, so that the travellers rejoiced in leaving the forest far behind, and with it the many dangers they had met in its gloomy shades (с его многочисленными опасностями, которые они встретили в его мрачных тенях). Once more they could see fences (вновь они могли видеть заборы) built beside the road (построенные около дороги); but these were painted green (были окрашены /в/ зеленый), and when they came to a small house (подошли к маленькому дому), in which a farmer evidently lived (в котором, очевидно, жил фермер), that also was painted green. They passed by (прошли /мимо/) several of these houses during the afternoon (в течение вечера, послеобеденного времени), and sometimes people came to the doors and looked at them (смотрели на них) as if they would like to ask questions (так, словно они хотели бы задать вопросы); but no one came near them nor spoke to them (но никто не подходил к ним и не заговаривал с ними) because of the great Lion, of which they were very much afraid (очень сильно боялись). The people were all dressed in clothing of a lovely emerald-green colour (все одеты в одежду приятного изумрудно-зеленого цвета) and wore peaked hats (носили остроконечные шляпы; peak — пик, вершина) like those of the Munchkins.

"This must be the Land of Oz," said Dorothy, "and we are surely getting near (наверняка приближаемся) the Emerald City."

"Yes," answered the Scarecrow (ответил). "Everything (все) is green here, while (в то время как) in the country of the Munchkins blue was the favorite color (голубой был любимым цветом).

But the people do not seem to be as friendly as the Munchkins (не казались столь же дружелюбными), and I'm afraid we shall be unable to find a place to pass the night (боюсь, мы не сможем найти место провести ночь = переночевать)."

"I should like something to eat besides fruit (поесть что-нибудь, кроме фруктов)," said the girl, "and I'm sure Toto is nearly starved (почти оголодал; to starve — голодать, умирать с голоду). Let us stop at the next house (давайте остановимся у следующего дома) and talk to the people." So, when they came to a good-sized farmhouse (к хорошего размера жилому дому на ферме), Dorothy walked boldly up to the door and knocked (Дороти пошла отважно к двери и постучала).

A woman opened it just far enough to look out (ровно настолько, чтобы выглянуть), and said, "What do you want (хочешь), child (дитя), and why is that great Lion with you?"

"We wish to pass the night with you, if you will allow us (если вы разрешите нам)," answered Dorothy; "and the Lion is my friend and comrade, and would not hurt you for the world (не обидит вас ни за что в мире)."

"Is he tame (ручной)?" asked the woman, opening the door a little wider (немного шире).

"Oh, yes," said the girl, "and he is a great coward (великий трус), too.

He will be more afraid of you (будет больше бояться вас) than you are of him."

"Well," said the woman, after thinking it over (обдумав это) and taking another peep at the Lion («беря» = делая еще один быстрый взгляд; peep — беглый взгляд, взгляд украдкой), "if that is the case (если так обстоит дело) you may come in (можете войти), and I will give you some supper (ужин) and a place to sleep (место поспать)." So they all entered the house (все вошли /в/ дом), where there were, besides the woman, two children (двое детей) and a man. The man had hurt his leg (повредил = ушиб ногу), and was lying on the couch in a corner (лежал на кушетке в углу). They seemed greatly surprised (казались сильно удивленными) to see so strange a company, and while the woman was busy (занята) laying the table (накрывая стол) the man asked: "Where are you all going?"

 

starve [sta:v] rejoice [rı`ʤoıs] guardian [΄ga:dıən] fragrance [΄freıgrəns]

 

 

It was some time before the Cowardly Lion awakened, for he had lain among the poppies a long while, breathing in their deadly fragrance; but when he did open his eyes and roll off the truck he was very glad to find himself still alive.

"I ran as fast as I could," he said, sitting down and yawning, "but the flowers were too strong for me. How did you get me out?" Then they told him of the field mice, and how they had generously saved him from death; and the Cowardly Lion laughed, and said: "I have always thought myself very big and terrible; yet such little things as flowers came near to killing me, and such small animals as mice have saved my life. How strange it all is!

But, comrades, what shall we do now?"

"We must journey on until we find the road of yellow brick again," said Dorothy, "and then we can keep on to the Emerald City." So, the Lion being fully refreshed, and feeling quite himself again, they all started upon the journey, greatly enjoying the walk through the soft, fresh grass; and it was not long before they reached the road of yellow brick and turned again toward the Emerald City where the Great Oz dwelt.

The road was smooth and well paved, now, and the country about was beautiful, so that the travelers rejoiced in leaving the forest far behind, and with it the many dangers they had met in its gloomy shades. Once more they could see fences built beside the road; but these were painted green, and when they came to a small house, in which a farmer evidently lived, that also was painted green. They passed by several of these houses during the afternoon, and sometimes people came to the doors and looked at them as if they would like to ask questions; but no one came near them nor spoke to them because of the great Lion, of which they were very much afraid. The people were all dressed in clothing of a lovely emerald-green color and wore peaked hats like those of the Munchkins.

"This must be the Land of Oz," said Dorothy, "and we are surely getting near the Emerald City."

"Yes," answered the Scarecrow. "Everything is green here, while in the country of the Munchkins blue was the favorite color.

But the people do not seem to be as friendly as the Munchkins, and I'm afraid we shall be unable to find a place to pass the night."

"I should like something to eat besides fruit," said the girl, "and I'm sure Toto is nearly starved. Let us stop at the next house and talk to the people." So, when they came to a good-sized farmhouse, Dorothy walked boldly up to the door and knocked.

A woman opened it just far enough to look out, and said, "What do you want, child, and why is that great Lion with you?"

"We wish to pass the night with you, if you will allow us," answered Dorothy; "and the Lion is my friend and comrade, and would not hurt you for the world."

"Is he tame?" asked the woman, opening the door a little wider.

"Oh, yes," said the girl, "and he is a great coward, too.

He will be more afraid of you than you are of him."

"Well," said the woman, after thinking it over and taking another peep at the Lion, "if that is the case you may come in, and I will give you some supper and a place to sleep." So they all entered the house, where there were, besides the woman, two children and a man. The man had hurt his leg, and was lying on the couch in a corner. They seemed greatly surprised to see so strange a company, and while the woman was busy laying the table the man asked: "Where are you all going?

 

"To the Emerald City," said Dorothy, "to see (повидать) the Great Oz."

"Oh, indeed!" exclaimed the man (воскликнул мужчина). "Are you sure (вы уверены) that Oz will see you?"

"Why not?" she replied (ответила).

"Why, it is said (говорят) that he never lets anyone come into his presence (он никогда не позволяет кому-либо приходить в «его присутствие» = никого не принимает).

I have been to the Emerald City many times (много раз), and it is a beautiful and wonderful place (красивое и удивительное место); but I have never been permitted (мне никогда не было разрешено) to see the Great Oz, nor do I know of any living person (и я не знаю ни одного живого человека) who has seen him."

"Does he never go out (никогда /не/ выходит)?" asked the Scarecrow.

"Never. He sits day after day (сидит день за днем) in the great Throne Room of his Palace (в большом Тронном Зале своего Дворца), and even those who wait upon him (и даже те, кто прислуживает ему) do not see him face to face (лицом к лицу)."

"What is he like (на что он похож)?" asked the girl (спросила девочка).

"That is hard to tell (трудно рассказать)," said the man thoughtfully (задумчиво). "You see, Oz is a Great Wizard, and can take on any form he wishes (и может обретать любую форму, какую он пожелает; to take on — обретать). So that some say he looks like a bird (похож на птицу; to look like — быть похожим); and some say he looks like an elephant (на слона); and some say he looks like a cat (на кота). To others he appears as a beautiful fairy (другим он является как красивая фея = кажется феей), or a brownie (домовой), or in any other form that pleases him (понравится, захочется ему). But who the real Oz is, when he is in his own form (в своей собственной форме), no living person can tell."

"That is very strange (очень странно)," said Dorothy, "but we must try (попытаться), in some way (как-нибудь), to see him, or we shall have made our journey for nothing (или мы проделали наше путешествие напрасно)."

"Why do you wish to see the terrible Oz?" asked the man.

"I want him to give me some brains (хочу /чтобы/ он дал мне мозги)," said the Scarecrow eagerly (страстно, энергично).

"Oh, Oz could do that easily enough (легко достаточно = довольно легко)," declared the man (заявил мужчина).

"He has more brains than he needs (чем ему нужно)."

"And I want him to give me a heart (сердце)," said the Tin Woodman.

"That will not trouble him (не затруднит его)," continued the man (продолжил), "for Oz has a large collection of hearts (огромную коллекцию сердец), of all sizes and shapes (всех размеров и форм)."

"And I want him to give me courage (храбрость)," said the Cowardly Lion.

"Oz keeps a great pot of courage (хранит большой котел храбрости) in his Throne Room," said the man, "which he has covered with a golden plate (накрыл золотой тарелкой), to keep it from running over (чтобы не выплескивалась /не сбегало, как кипящее молоко/). He will be glad to give you some."

"And I want him to send me back to Kansas (отправить меня обратно в Канзас)," said Dorothy.

"Where is Kansas?" asked the man, with surprise (с удивлением).

"I don't know," replied Dorothy sorrowfully (печально), "but it is my home, and I'm sure it's somewhere (я уверена, что он где-то есть)."

"Very likely (весьма вероятно). Well, Oz can do anything; so I suppose he will find Kansas for you. But first (но сначала) you must get to see him, and that will be a hard task (и это будет трудной задачей); for the Great Wizard does not like to see anyone, and he usually has his own way (и он бычно поступает по-своему). But what do YOU want?" he continued, speaking to Toto. Toto only wagged his tail (повилял своим хвостом); for, strange to say (странно сказать), he could not speak.

The woman now called to them that supper was ready (ужин был готов), so they gathered around the table (собрались вокруг стола) and Dorothy ate some delicious porridge (съела немного /овсяной/ вкусной каши) and a dish of scrambled eggs (блюдо омлета) and a plate of nice white bread (и тарелку прекрасного белого хлеба), and enjoyed her meal (насладилась своей едой = ей понравилась еда). The Lion ate some of the porridge, but did not care for it (но ему не понравилось), saying it was made from oats (из овса) and oats were food for horses (едой для лошадей), not for lions. The Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman ate nothing at all. Toto ate a little of everything, and was glad to get a good supper again.

The woman now gave Dorothy a bed to sleep in (кровать поспать), and Toto lay down beside her (лег около нее), while the Lion guarded the door of her room (охранял дверь ее комнаты) so she might not be disturbed (чтобы она могла быть непотревоженной = чтобы ее никто не тревожил). The Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman stood up in a corner (стояли в углу) and kept quiet all night (и хранили спокойствие всю ночь = молчали всю ночь), although of course they could not sleep.

 

porridge [΄porıʤ] sorrowfully [`sorəfulı] fairy ['fεərı]

 

 

"To the Emerald City," said Dorothy, "to see the Great Oz."

"Oh, indeed!" exclaimed the man. "Are you sure that Oz will see you?"

"Why not?" she replied.

"Why, it is said that he never lets anyone come into his presence.

I have been to the Emerald City many times, and it is a beautiful and wonderful place; but I have never been permitted to see the Great Oz, nor do I know of any living person who has seen him."

"Does he never go out?" asked the Scarecrow.

"Never. He sits day after day in the great Throne Room of his Palace, and even those who wait upon him do not see him face to face."

"What is he like?" asked the girl.

"That is hard to tell," said the man thoughtfully. "You see, Oz is a Great Wizard, and can take on any form he wishes. So that some say he looks like a bird; and some say he looks like an elephant; and some say he looks like a cat. To others he appears as a beautiful fairy, or a brownie, or in any other form that pleases him. But who the real Oz is, when he is in his own form, no living person can tell."

"That is very strange," said Dorothy, "but we must try, in some way, to see him, or we shall have made our journey for nothing."

"Why do you wish to see the terrible Oz?" asked the man.

"I want him to give me some brains," said the Scarecrow eagerly.

"Oh, Oz could do that easily enough," declared the man.

"He has more brains than he needs."

"And I want him to give me a heart," said the Tin Woodman.

"That will not trouble him," continued the man, "for Oz has a large collection of hearts, of all sizes and shapes."

"And I want him to give me courage," said the Cowardly Lion.

"Oz keeps a great pot of courage in his Throne Room," said the man, "which he has covered with a golden plate, to keep it from running over. He will be glad to give you some."

"And I want him to send me back to Kansas," said Dorothy.

"Where is Kansas?" asked the man, with surprise.

"I don't know," replied Dorothy sorrowfully, "but it is my home, and I'm sure it's somewhere."

"Very likely. Well, Oz can do anything; so I suppose he will find Kansas for you. But first you must get to see him, and that will be a hard task; for the Great Wizard does not like to see anyone, and he usually has his own way. But what do YOU want?" he continued, speaking to Toto. Toto only wagged his tail; for, strange to say, he could not speak.

The woman now called to them that supper was ready, so they gathered around the table and Dorothy ate some delicious porridge and a dish of scrambled eggs and a plate of nice white bread, and enjoyed her meal. The Lion ate some of the porridge, but did not care for it, saying it was made from oats and oats were food for horses, not for lions. The Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman ate nothing at all. Toto ate a little of everything, and was glad to get a good supper again.

The woman now gave Dorothy a bed to sleep in, and Toto lay down beside her, while the Lion guarded the door of her room so she might not be disturbed. The Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman stood up in a corner and kept quiet all night, although of course they could not sleep.

 

The next morning (/на/ следующее утро), as soon as the sun was up (как только солнце было вверху = встало), they started on their way, and soon saw a beautiful green glow in the sky (прекрасный зеленый свет в небе) just before them (прямо, как раз перед ними).

"That must be the Emerald City," said Dorothy.

As they walked on (по мере того, как они шли), the green glow became brighter and brighter (становился ярче и ярче), and it seemed (казалось) that at last they were nearing the end of their travels (приближались к концу своих путешествий; to near — приближаться).

Yet it was afternoon (вечер) before they came to the great wall that surrounded the City (подошли к большой стене, которая окружала Город). It was high and thick (высокая и толстая) and of a bright green color.

In front of them (перед ними), and at the end of the road of yellow brick (и в конце дороги из желтого кирпича), was a big gate (была большая дверь), all studded with emeralds (вся усеянная изумрудами; to stud with — усеивать) that glittered so in the sun (которые так сверкали на солнце) that even the painted eyes of the Scarecrow were dazzled by their brilliancy (что даже нарисованные краской глаза Страшилы были ослеплены их сиянием).

There was a bell (звонок) beside the gate (возле ворот), and Dorothy pushed the button (нажала кнопку) and heard a silvery tinkle sound within (и услышала ясный звонкий звук внутри). Then the big gate swung slowly open (открылась медленно; to swing — качаться, колебаться; поворачиваться), and they all passed through (прошли через нее) and found themselves in a high arched room (и обнаружили себя = оказались в высокоарочной комнате = в комнате с высокими арками), the walls of which glistened with countless emeralds (стены которой сияли бесчисленными изумрудами).

Before them stood a little man about the same size (такого же размера = роста) as the Munchkins. He was clothed (одет) all in green, from his head to his feet (с головы до ног), and even his skin was of a greenish tint (и даже его кожа была зеленоватого оттенка). At his side (на/с/ его стороны) was a large green box (коробка).

When he saw Dorothy and her companions the man asked (спросил): "What do you wish (желаете) in the Emerald City?"

"We came here to see the Great Oz," said Dorothy.

The man was so surprised at this answer (так удивлен этим ответом) that he sat down to think it over (обдумать его).

"It has been many years since anyone asked me to see Oz (прошло уже много лет, с тех пор как кто-либо просил меня /дать ему возможность/ повидать Оза)," he said, shaking his head in perplexity (качая своей головой в недоумении). "He is powerful and terrible (могущественный и ужасный), and if you come on an idle or foolish errand (с праздным или дурацким поручением, заданием) to bother the wise reflections of the Great Wizard (чтобы обеспокоить мудрые размышления Великого Волшебника), he might be angry (он может рассердиться) and destroy you all in an instant (уничтожить вас всех в мгновение)."

"But it is not a foolish errand, nor an idle one," replied the Scarecrow; "it is important (важно). And we have been told (нам говорили) that Oz is a good Wizard."

"So he is," said the green man, "and he rules (правит) the Emerald City wisely and well (мудро и хорошо). But to those who are not honest (кто нечестен), or who approach him from curiosity (обращается /к/ нему из любопытства; to approach — приближаться), he is most terrible (он наиболее ужасен), and few have ever dared ask (и мало кто решался просить) to see his face. I am the Guardian of the Gates (Хранитель, Охранник Ворот), and since you demand (раз вы требуете) to see the Great Oz I must take you to his Palace (должен отвести вас во Дворец).

But first you must put on the spectacles (одеть очки)."

"Why?" asked Dorothy.

"Because if you did not wear spectacles (носишь очки), the brightness and glory (яркость и блеск) of the Emerald City would blind you (ослепит вас; to blind — ослеплять). Even those who live in the City must wear spectacles night and day (ночью и днем). They are all locked on (закрыты /на ключ/), for Oz so ordered it (приказал это) when the City was first built (построен), and I have the only key (единственный ключ) that will unlock them (откроет их)." He opened the big box (открыл большую коробку), and Dorothy saw that it was filled with spectacles of every size and shape (каждого размера и каждой формы = разных размеров и форм). All of them had green glasses in them (зеленые стекла в них). The Guardian of the Gates found a pair that would just fit Dorothy (как раз подойдут) and put them over her eyes. There were two golden bands fastened to them (две золотые повязки, привязанные к ним) that passed around the back of her head (которые проходили за ее головой), where they were locked together by a little key (где они скреплялись, запирались маленьким ключом) that was at the end of a chain (на конце цепочки) the Guardian of the Gates wore around his neck (вокруг своей шеи).

When they were on (когда они были надеты), Dorothy could not take them off (снять их) had she wished (если бы пожелала), but of course she did not wish to be blinded by the glare (ярким светом) of the Emerald City, so she said nothing.

Then the green man fitted spectacles for the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman and the Lion, and even on little Toto; and all were locked fast with the key.

Then the Guardian of the Gates put on his own glasses (одел свои собственные очки) and told them he was ready to show them to the Palace (отвести их во Дворец). Taking a big golden key from a peg on the wall (с гвоздика на стене), he opened another gate, and they all followed him through the portal (последовали /за/ ним через главный вход) into the streets of the Emerald City.

 

еrrand ['erənd] idle ['aıdl] spectacles ['spektəklz] blind ['blaınd]

 

 

The next morning, as soon as the sun was up, they started on their way, and soon saw a beautiful green glow in the sky just before them.

"That must be the Emerald City," said Dorothy.

As they walked on, the green glow became brighter and brighter, and it seemed that at last they were nearing the end of their travels.

Yet it was afternoon before they came to the great wall that surrounded the City. It was high and thick and of a bright green color.

In front of them, and at the end of the road of yellow brick, was a big gate, all studded with emeralds that glittered so in the sun that even the painted eyes of the Scarecrow were dazzled by their brilliancy.

There was a bell beside the gate, and Dorothy pushed the button and heard a silvery tinkle sound within. Then the big gate swung slowly open, and they all passed through and found themselves in a high arched room, the walls of which glistened with countless emeralds.

Before them stood a little man about the same size as the Munchkins. He was clothed all in green, from his head to his feet, and even his skin was of a greenish tint. At his side was a large green box.

When he saw Dorothy and her companions the man asked, "What do you wish in the Emerald City?"

"We came here to see the Great Oz," said Dorothy.

The man was so surprised at this answer that he sat down to think it over.

"It has been many years since anyone asked me to see Oz," he said, shaking his head in perplexity. "He is powerful and terrible, and if you come on an idle or foolish errand to bother the wise reflections of the Great Wizard, he might be angry and destroy you all in an instant."

"But it is not a foolish errand, nor an idle one," replied the Scarecrow; "it is important. And we have been told that Oz is a good Wizard."

"So he is," said the green man, "and he rules the Emerald City wisely and well. But to those who are not honest, or who approach him from curiosity, he is most terrible, and few have ever dared ask to see his face. I am the Guardian of the Gates, and since you demand to see the Great Oz I must take you to his Palace.

But first you must put on the spectacles."

"Why?" asked Dorothy.

"Because if you did not wear spectacles the brightness and glory of the Emerald City would blind you. Even those who live in the City must wear spectacles night and day. They are all locked on, for Oz so ordered it when the City was first built, and I have the only key that will unlock them." He opened the big box, and Dorothy saw that it was filled with spectacles of every size and shape. All of them had green glasses in them. The Guardian of the Gates found a pair that would just fit Dorothy and put them over her eyes. There were two golden bands fastened to them that passed around the back of her head, where they were locked together by a little key that was at the end of a chain the Guardian of the Gates wore around his neck.

When they were on, Dorothy could not take them off had she wished, but of course she did not wish to be blinded by the glare of the Emerald City, so she said nothing.

Then the green man fitted spectacles for the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman and the Lion, and even on little Toto; and all were locked fast with the key.

Then the Guardian of the Gates put on his own glasses and told them he was ready to show them to the Palace. Taking a big golden key from a peg on the wall, he opened another gate, and they all followed him through the portal into the streets of the Emerald City.