Английские волшебные сказки 14 страница

‘No,’ quoth Jack (нет, молвил Джек), ‘nothing but a rat (ничего, кроме крысы), which gave me two or three slaps (которая нанесла: «дала» мне два или три шлепка) with her tail (своим хвостом).’ With that (на этом), greatly wondering (очень удивляясь), the giant led Jack to breakfast (великан повел Джека к завтраку), bringing him a bowl (принеся ему миску) containing four gallons of hasty pudding (содержавшую четыре галлона мучного заварного пудинга: «поспешного пудинга»). Being loth to let the giant (не желая: «будучи неохотным» позволить великану) think it too much for him (счесть, что это слишком много для него), Jack put a large leather bag (Джек засунул большой кожаный мешок) under his loose coat (под свою просторную куртку), in such a way (таким образом) that he could convey the pudding into it (что он мог переместить пудинг в него) without its being perceived (чтобы это осталось незамеченным: «без того, чтобы быть замеченным»). Then, telling the giant he would show him a trick (затем, сказав великану, что он покажет ему трюк), taking a knife (взяв нож), Jack ripped open the bag (Джек разорвал мешок), and out came all the hasty pudding (и наружу вышел весь заварной пудинг). Whereupon (после чего), saying (сказав), ‘I can do that trick myself (я могу проделать этот трюк сам)’, the monster took the knife (монстр взял нож), and ripping open his belly (и, распоров свой живот), fell down dead (упал замертво).

monstrous [`monstrəs], false [fo:ls], apartment [ə`pa:rtmənt]

Jack made the best of his way by travelling as fast as he could, but lost his road, and was benighted, and could find no habitation until, coming into a narrow valley, he found a large house, and in order to get shelter took courage to knock at the gate. But what was his surprise when there came forth a monstrous giant with two heads; yet he did not appear so fiery as the others were, for he was a Welsh giant, and what he did was by private and secret malice under the false show of friendship. Jack, having told his condition to the giant, was shown into a bedroom, where, in the dead of night, he heard his host in another apartment muttering these words:

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

‘Say’st thou so,’ quoth Jack; ‘that is like one of your Welsh tricks, yet I hope to be cunning enough for you.’ Then, getting out of bed, he laid a billet in the bed in his stead, and hid himself in a corner of the room. At the dead time of the night in came the Welsh giant, who struck several heavy blows on the bed with his club, thinking he had broken every bone in Jack’s skin. The next morning Jack, laughing in his sleeve, gave him hearty thanks for his night’s lodging. ‘How have you rested?’ quoth the giant; ‘did you not feel anything in the night?’

‘No,’ quoth Jack, ‘nothing but a rat, which gave me two or three slaps with her tail.’ With that, greatly wondering, the giant led Jack to breakfast, bringing him a bowl containing four gallons of hasty pudding. Being loth to let the giant think it too much for him, Jack put a large leather bag under his loose coat, in such a way that he could convey the pudding into it without its being perceived. Then, telling the giant he would show him a trick, taking a knife, Jack ripped open the bag, and out came all the hasty pudding. Whereupon, saying, ‘I can do that trick myself’, the monster took the knife, and ripping open his belly, fell down dead.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jack answered (Джек ответил): ‘None but your poor cousin Jack (никто, кроме твоего бедного кузена Джека = это всего лишь твой кузен Джек).’

Quoth he (тот молвил): ‘What news with my poor cousin Jack (какие новости о моем бедном кузене Джеке)?’

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

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

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

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

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

thousand [`Tauzənd], repast [rı`pa:st], handkerchief [`hæŋkətSi:f]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

portion [`po: Sən], Lucifer [`lu:sıfə], enchantment [ın`tSa:ntmənt]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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