THE GATHERING OF THE CLOUDS
黑云压城
Now we will return to Bilbo and the dwarves. All night one of them had watched, but when morning came they had not heard or seen any sign of danger. But ever more thickly the birds were gathering. Their companies came flying from the South; and the crows that still lived about the Mountain were wheeling and crying unceasingly above.
现在，我们又该回到比尔博和矮人们这边来了。整个晚上他们都安排了一个人的哨，可一直到第二天天亮他们都没有听见或看见任何危险的迹象。不过，鸟一群一却聚拢得越来越密集，一一群一一一群一的鸟从南方飞来，而依然住在孤山周边的乌鸦则在天空中不停地盘旋、鸣叫。
“Something strange is happening,” said Thorin. “The time has gone for the autumn wanderings; and these are birds that dwell always in the land; there are starlings and flocks of finches; and far off there are many carrion birds as if a battle were afoot!”
“一定有什么奇怪的事情正在发生，”索林说，“候鸟秋季迁徙的时间已经过了，这些鸟都是一直栖息在平原上的。那里有八哥和杂雀，再远些的地方有许多食腐一尸一的鸟，怎么好像大战在即的样子!”
Suddenly Bilbo pointed: “There is that old thrush again!” he cried. “He seems to ha一ve escaped, when Smaug smashed the mountain-side, but I don’t suppose the snails ha一ve!”
突然，比尔博指着前方说道：“看哪!那只老画眉鸟又回来了!史矛革把山壁打碎的时候，他看来是逃脱了，不过我想那些蜗牛肯定没有躲过此劫!”
Sure enough the old thrush was there, and as Bilbo pointed, he flew towards them and perched on a stone near by. Then he fluttered his wings and sang; then he cocked his head on one side, as if to listen; and again he sang, and again he listened.
没错，那里出现的就是那只老画眉鸟。就在比尔博指着他的时候，他朝他们飞了过来，停在了旁边的一块石头上，拍拍翅膀，鸣叫了片刻，然后侧过脑袋，仿佛在倾听着;然后他又鸣叫，接着又侧头倾听。
“I believe he is trying to tell us something,” said Balin; “but I cannot follow the speech of such birds, it is very quick and difficult. Can you make it out Baggins?”
“我觉得他想要告诉我们什么，”巴林说，“但是我听不懂这种鸟的语言，他说得太快、太难懂了。你听得懂吗，比尔博?”
“Not very well,” said Bilbo (as a matter of fact, he could make nothing of it at all); “but the old fellow seems very excited.”
“不是很懂，”比尔博说(其实他根本连一个字也不懂)，“不过这个老家伙似乎非常兴奋。”
“I only wish he was a ra一ven!” said Balin.
“我真希望他是只渡鸦!”巴林说。
“I thought you did not like them! You seemed very shy of them, when we came this way before.”
“我还以为你不喜欢渡鸦呢!我们以前过来的时候，你似乎很害怕它们。”
“Those were crows! And nasty suspicious-looking creatures at that, and rude as well. You must ha一ve heard the ugly names they were calling after us. But the ra一vens are different. There used to be great friendship between them and the people of Thror; and they often brought us secret news, and were rewarded with such bright things as they coveted to hide in their dwellings.
“那些是乌鸦!它们非常可恶，一副疑神疑鬼的样子，还很粗一鲁。你一定听见它们在背后叫我们的那些难听名字了。但渡鸦不一样，它们和瑟罗尔的子民以前曾经非常友好，它们经常会带情报来给我们，我们则会赏赐给它们一些亮闪闪的东西，它们就喜欢把这种东*在自己的巢里面。
“They live many a year, and their memories are long, and they hand on their wisdom to their children. I knew many among the ra一vens of the rocks when I was a dwarf-lad. This very height was once named Ra一venhill, because there was a wise and famous pair, old Carc and his wife, that lived here above the guard-chamber. But I don’t suppose that any of that ancient breed linger here now.”
“它们的寿命很长，记忆也很长久，而且它们会把智慧传给后代。我还是个孩子的时候，认识许多住在岩石间的渡鸦。这片高地以前就叫做渡鸦岭，因为有一对相当睿智且有名的渡鸦夫妇，老卡克和他的妻子，住在这里，就在守卫室的屋顶上面。不过，我想那些古老的鸟类不会再逗留在这儿了吧。”
No sooner had he finished speaking than the old thrush ga一ve a loud call, and immediately flew away.
他的话还没说完，那只老画眉鸟就发出一声嘹亮的鸣叫，马上飞走了。
“We may not understand him, but that old bird understands us, I am sure,” said Balin. “Keep watch now, and see what happens!”
“我们也许听不懂它的话，但我敢肯定这只老鸟能听懂我们说些什么。”巴林说，“留点神，看看接下来会发生什么事情!”
Before long there was a fluttering of wings, and back came the thrush; and with him came a most decrepit old bird. He was getting blind, he could hardly fly, and the top of his head was bald. He was an aged ra一ven of great size. He alighted stiffly on the ground before them, slowly flapped his wings, and bobbed towards Thorin.
没过多久，外面就传来一阵拍击翅膀的声音，画眉鸟又回来了，还带来了一只老得够可以的老鸟。他已经接近失明，飞起来十分勉强，头顶的一毛一也全秃了。这是一只身形巨大的老渡鸦，只见他笨拙地降落在他们面前的地上，缓缓地拍拍翅膀，迈着碎步走向索林。
“O Thorin son of Thrain, and Balin son of Fundin,” he croaked (and Bilbo could understand what he said, for he used ordinary language and not bird-speech). “I am Roäc son of Carc. Carc is dead, but he was well known to you once. It is a hundred years and three and fifty since I came out of the egg, but I do not forget what my father told me. Now I am the chief of the great ra一vens of the Mountain. We are few, but we remember still the king that was of old. Most of my people are abroad, for there are great tidings in the South—some are tidings of joy to you, and some you will not think so good.
“喔，瑟莱因之子索林，芬丁之子巴林，”它嘎嘎叫道(比尔博也可以明白他在说什么，因为他用的是人话而不是鸟语)，“我是卡克之子罗阿克。卡克已经死了，但他以前和你们往来相当密切。我从蛋里面破壳而出已经有一百五十三年了，但我没有忘记我父亲告诉的事情。现在，我是山中的渡鸦首领。我们的数量很少，但我们仍然记得过去的老国王。我的同胞们大都到外面去了，因为南方有了重大的消息——有些对你们来说是好消息，有些在你们看了可能会觉得不妙。
“Behold! the birds are gathering back again to the Mountain and to Dale from South and East and West, for word has gone out that Smaug is dead!”
“看哪!鸟儿们从南方、东方和西方又重新回到孤山，回到谷地来了，因为史矛革死亡的消息已经传开了!”
“Dead! Dead?” shouted the dwarves. “Dead! Then we ha一ve been in needless fear—and the treasure is ours!” They all sprang up and began to caper about for joy.
“死了!死了?”矮人们一个个都喊了起来，“死了!那我们还怕个什么劲儿——财宝是我们的了!”他们全都跳了起来，手舞足蹈地开始庆祝。
“Yes, dead,” said Roäc. “The thrush, may his feathers never fall, saw him die, and we may trust his words. He saw him fall in battle with the men of Esgaroth the third night back from now at the rising of the moon.”
“是的，死了。”罗阿克说，“这只画眉鸟，愿他的羽一毛一永不掉落，亲眼目睹了他的死亡，我们可以相信他说的话。在三天之前的晚上，月亮升起的时候，它看见恶龙在和埃斯加洛斯的人类作战的时候从空中被射落了。”
It was some time before Thorin could bring the dwarves to be silent and listen to the ra一ven’s news. At length when he had told all the tale of the battle he went on:
索林过了好一会儿才让矮人们安静下来，继续听渡鸦带来的消息。最后，当描述了战斗的整个过程之后，他继续说道：
“So much for joy, Thorin Oakenshield. You may go back to your halls in safety; all the treasure is yours—for the moment. But many are gathering hither beside the birds. The news of the death of the guardian has already gone far and wide, and the legend of the wealth of Thror has not lost in the telling during many years; many are eager for a share of the spoil. Already a host of the elves is on the way, and carrion birds are with them hoping for battle and slaughter. By the lake men murmur that their sorrows are due to the dwarves; for they are homeless and many ha一ve died, and Smaug has destroyed their town. They too think to find amends from your treasure, whether you are alive or dead.
“索林·橡木盾，欢庆就到此为止吧。你可以安全地回到大厅中去，所有的宝物都是你的——暂时是这样的。但是除了飞鸟之外还有许多东西也在往这边聚集，宝藏守卫者死亡的消息已经传得很远很广了，瑟罗尔王财富的传说并没有在多年的口口相传中失落，许多人都迫不及待地想要来分一杯羹。一精一灵大军已经在路上了，食腐肉的鸟儿们和他们一起来了，盼望着能有一场战斗与杀戮。长湖边的人们在抱怨，说他们的惨剧都应当归罪于矮人，他们现在无家可归，许多人都死了，史矛革毁了他们的城镇。不管你们是活是死，他们也想要从你们的宝藏中获取补偿。
“Your own wisdom must decide your course; but thirteen is small remnant of the great folk of Durin that once dwelt here, and now are scattered far. If you will listen to my counsel, you will not trust the Master of the Lake-men, but rather him that shot the dragon with his bow. Bard is he, of the race of Dale, of the line of Girion; he is a grim man but true. We would see peace once more among dwarves and men and elves after the long desolation; but it may cost you dear in gold. I ha一ve spoken.”
“你必须凭借自己的智慧来决定如何应对，不过，十三名矮人和当年都林在此生息的子孙相比，实在少得可怜，那些子孙现如今也都散落天涯了。如果你愿意听我的忠告，请不要相信长湖镇的镇长，请相信那个用弓箭射下恶龙的人。他的名字叫巴德，属河谷邦一族，是吉瑞安的子孙。他一性一情严厉，可待人真诚。在这片地区长期经受恶龙的荼毒之后，我们很想看见矮人、人类和一精一灵能再次和平相处，不过这会要花去你不少的黄金。我说完了!”
Then Thorin burst forth in anger: “Our thanks, Roäc Carc’s son. You and your people shall not be forgotten. But none of our gold shall thieves take or the violent carry off while we are alive. If you would earn our thanks still more, bring us news of any that draw near. Also I would beg of you, if any of you are still young and strong of wing, that you would send messengers to our kin in the mountains of the North, both west from here and east, and tell them of our plight. But go specially to my cousin Dain in the Iron Hills, for he has many people well-armed, and dwells nearest to this place. Bid him hasten!”
索林愤怒地回答道：“卡克之子罗阿克，请接受我们的感谢，你和你的同胞我们永不会忘记，但是，只要我们还活着，就决不容任何人从我们这里巧取豪夺走一点。如果你还想再获得我们更多的感谢，就请把任何向这里靠近的人的消息告诉我们。我还想请求你，如果你的同族之中还有年轻力壮、羽翼丰满的，请派他们到北方山脉中去寻找我们的族人，无论是向西去还是向东去，把我们的困境告诉他们。不过，请你特别要去铁丘陵通知我的堂亲戴因，他手下有许多武装一精一良的士兵，而且也离这边最近。请他务必快点赶来!”
“I will not say if this counsel be good or bad,” croaked Roäc, “but I will do what can be done.” Then off he slowly flew.
“我不会批评你的策略是好是坏，”罗阿克粗声回答道，“但我愿意做我力所能及的事情。”说完他就慢慢地飞走了。
“Back now to the Mountain!” cried Thorin. “We ha一ve little time to lose.”
“快回山里去!”索林大喊道，“我们的时间不多了。”
“And little food to use!” cried Bilbo, always practical on such points. In any case he felt that the adventure was, properly speaking, over with the death of the dragon—in which he was much mistaken—and he would ha一ve given most of his share of the profits for the peaceful winding up of these affairs.
“食物也没有多少!”比尔博喊道，他在这些地方一向很实际。他觉得不过分地说，这场冒险已经随着恶龙的死亡而结束了——在这一点上他可是大错特错了——他宁愿放弃自己大部分应得的报酬，换取一切有个和平的收场。
“Back to the Mountain!” cried the dwarves as if they had not heard him; so back he had to go with them.
“回到山里面去!”矮人们喊道，仿佛根本没有听见他说话似的。于是，他只好跟着大家一起回去了。
As you ha一ve heard some of the events already, you will see that the dwarves still had some days before them. They explored the ca一verns once more, and found, as they expected, that only the Front Gate remained open; all the other gates (except, of course, the small secret door) had long ago been broken and blocked by Smaug, and no sign of them remained. So now they began to labour hard in fortifying the main entrance, and in making a new path that led from it. Tools were to be found in plenty that the miners and quarriers and builders of old had used; and at such work the dwarves were still very skilled.
由于有些事情你们已经听说了，所以你们知道，矮人们其实还有几天的时间作准备。他们仔细检查了大小一洞一穴一，发现果然如同他们所预料的那样，只有正门还是开着的，所有别的门(当然，那个小密门除外)都早已被史矛革要么破坏要么*了，连一点痕迹都没有剩下。因此，他们开始努力加强正门的防御工事，并重新修建一条从地下宫殿通往外面的道路。工具能找到很多，那是古代的矿工、采石工和建筑工们所使用过的，矮人们对于这些工作依旧十分在行。
As they worked the ra一vens brought them constant tidings. In this way they learned that the Elvenking had turned aside to the Lake, and they still had a breathing space. Better still, they heard that three of their ponies had escaped and were wandering wild far down the banks of the Running River, not far from where the rest of their stores had been left. So while the others went on with their work, Fili and Kili were sent, guided by a ra一ven, to find the ponies and bring back all they could.
在他们工作的同时，渡鸦也不停地给他们带来新消息。他们靠着这样的方式，知道了一精一灵国王把部队转向带到了湖边，这样他们就有了喘一息之机。更利好的消息是，他们听说他们原先的小马中有三匹逃过了史矛革的追捕，现在正在奔流河的河岸附近乱跑，距离他们剩余的补给品被留下的地方并没有多远。因此，当其他人忙着手上活儿的时候，菲力和奇力由一只渡鸦领着，被派去寻找小马，并尽可能地把补给品带回来。
They were four days gone, and by that time they knew that the joined armies of the Lake-men and the Elves were hurrying toward the Mountain. But now their hopes were higher; for they had food for some weeks with care—chiefly cram, of course, and they were very tired of it; but cram is much better than nothing—and already the gate was blocked with a wall of squared stones laid dry, but very thick and high, across the opening. There were holes in the wall through which they could see (or shoot), but no entrance. They climbed in or out with ladders, and hauled stuff up with ropes. For the issuing of the stream they had contrived a small low arch under the new wall; but near the entrance they had so altered the narrow bed that a wide pool stretched from the mountain-wall to the head of the fall over which the stream went towards Dale. Approach to the Gate was now only possible, without swimming, along a narrow ledge of the cliff, to the right as one looked outwards from the wall. The ponies they had brought only to the head of the steps above the old bridge, and unloading them there had bidden them return to their masters and sent them back riderless to the South.
时间又过去了四天，那时他们已经知道长湖镇人类和一精一灵的联军正快速向孤山行进着。但现在他们对未来的希望反而更加高涨，因为他们的食物只要分配得当，够撑好几星期的——当然，主要是克拉姆，他们都已经吃腻了，可是总比什么都没有要好很多——而且大门已经被一座由方正岩石砌起的高墙给封闭了起来，墙壁又厚又高，横亘在正门前方，上面有孔，他们可以观察(或发射弓箭)，但外面的人却进不来。他们利用*进出高墙，用绳子吊运货物，在墙的下部开了个小小的拱形出口，供河水往外一流。但在靠近进口的地方，他们改变了狭窄的河道，使得一个宽阔的水潭一直从山墙延伸到了河流倾泻入谷地的瀑布源头。现在，如果不游泳想要接近大门的话，只有沿着一道悬崖上凿出来的狭窄小径，位于从高墙上望出去的右侧。他们找回来的小马只能来到旧桥上方的台阶尽头，在那里卸下所有补给之后，他们就让小马回到主人那里去，然后再空着马背被送去南边。
There came a night when suddenly there were many lights as of fires and torches away south in Dale before them.
有天晚上，他们眼前突然出现了许多光点，是南边远处河谷城那里的营火和火把。
“They ha一ve come!” called Balin. “And their camp is very great. They must ha一ve come into the valley under the cover of dusk along both banks of the river.”
“他们来了!”巴林大喊，“他们的营地规模非常大，这支部队一定是借着夜一色一的掩护，沿着河两岸过来的。”
That night the dwarves slept little. The morning was still pale when they saw a company approaching. From behind their wall they watched them come up to the valley’s head and climb slowly up. Before long they could see that both men of the lake armed as if for war and elvish bowmen were among them. At length the foremost of these climbed the tumbled rocks and appeared at the top of the falls; and very great was their surprise to see the pool before them and the Gate blocked with a wall of new-hewn stone.
那天晚上，矮人们都没怎么睡。天还蒙蒙亮的时候，他们发现有一一群一人一逼一近了。他们在墙后看着那些人进入山谷，慢慢地向上爬来。不久他们就看清了，来的人当中既有全副武装的湖区人类，也有混杂其间的一精一灵弓箭手。最后，队伍的前哨攀上了塌落的岩石，出现在了瀑布顶上。当他们看见眼前的大水池和新砌的岩石高墙时，不禁大吃一惊。
As they stood pointing and speaking to one another Thorin hailed them: “Who are you,” he called in a very loud voice, “that come as if in war to the gates of Thorin son of Thrain, King under the Mountain, and what do you desire?”
就在他们站在那里指指点点，交头接耳的时候，索林先跟他们招呼上了。“来者何人?”他用中气十足的声音大喊道，“你们摆出一副开战的样子，来到瑟莱因之子索林，山下之王的宫殿前，究竟想要干什么?”
But they answered nothing. Some turned swiftly back, and the others after gazing for a while at the Gate and its defences soon followed them. That day the camp was moved to the east of the river, right between the arms of the Mountain. The rocks echoed then with voices and with song, as they had not done for many a day. There was the sound, too, of elven-harps and of sweet music; and as it echoed up towards them it seemed that the chill of the air was warmed, and they caught faintly the fragrance of woodland flowers blossoming in spring.
对方并没有回答。有些人马上掉转身就走了，其他人则盯着大门及其防御看了一会儿，也跟着走了。部队的营地当天就移到了河的东侧，就在大山的两道支脉之间。岩壁间随即回响起了谈笑声和歌声，这是他们好久没有做过的事情了。其间还夹杂着一精一灵的竖琴和甜美的音乐，当这些美妙的音乐向他们飘来时，仿佛凛冽的寒气也跟着温暖起来，他们还依稀闻到了森林中的花朵在春日里绽放的香气。
Then Bilbo longed to escape from the dark fortress and to go down and join in the mirth and feasting by the fires. Some of the younger dwarves were moved in their hearts, too, and they muttered that they wished things had fallen out otherwise and that they might welcome such folk as friends; but Thorin scowled.
比尔博这时很想从这个黑暗的堡垒里逃离，到下一面的篝火边去加入他们的欢宴歌舞。一些比较年轻的矮人心里也动摇起来，他们嘀咕着希望事情不是这样，希望能用朋友的身份来接待这些人。但索林却是一脸的怒容。
Then the dwarves themselves brought forth harps and instruments regained from the hoard, and made music to soften his mood; but their song was not as elvish song, and was much like the song they had sung long before in Bilbo’s little hobbit-hole.
于是，矮人们也拿出了从宝山中找到的竖琴和乐器，用音乐来舒缓索林的情绪。不过他们唱的并非是一精一灵的歌曲，更像是他们很久前在比尔博的霍比特人洞府中唱的那首歌。
Under the Mountain dark and tall
在那又黑又高的孤山下
The King has come unto his hall!
国王终于回到了家!
His foe is dead, the Worm of Dread,
他的敌人已死，那可怕的恶龙，
And ever so his foes shall fall.
谁与他为敌也将同样倒下。
The sword is sharp, the spear is long,
宝剑锋利，长一槍一长，
The arrow swift, the Gate is strong;
箭矢飞快，城门强;
The heart is bold that looks on gold;
寻找黄金胆气壮;
The dwarves no more shall suffer wrong.
矮人不再受欺枉。
The dwarves of yore made mighty spells,
往昔的矮人念下强大咒语，
While hammers fell like ringing bells
伴着那铁锤砸出叮当乐曲，
In places deep, where dark things sleep,
幽深之处有黑暗生物沉睡，
In hollow halls beneath the fells.
山石下的空一穴一深不知几许。
On silver necklaces they strung
在银项链上他们串起了一行
The light of stars, on crowns they hung
星辰，如鲜花那般美丽绽放，
The dragon-fire, from twisted wire
在王冠上他们缀以龙的火焰，
The melody of harps they wrung.
扭曲的线条间竖琴奏出清响。
The mountain throne once more is freed!
山中宝座摆脱了残暴的君王!
O! wandering folk, the summons heed! Come haste!
哦，流散的同胞，召唤的号角已吹响!
Come haste! across the waste!
快来!快来!越过荒野!
The king of friend and kin has need.
国王需要朋友与族人相帮。
Now call we over mountains cold,
我们呼唤，越过冰冷山脉，
‘Come back unto the ca一verns old’!
“快回到古老的洞一穴一中来!”
Here at the Gates the king awaits,
国王就在大门口等待，
His hands are rich with gems and gold.
手中满攥珠宝与钱财。
The king is come unto his hall
国王终于回到家，
Under the Mountain dark and tall.
在那黑暗高峻的孤山下。
The Worm of Dread is slain and dead,
可怕的恶龙已被杀死，
And ever so our foes shall fall!
谁再与我们为敌也将同样倒下!
This song appeared to please Thorin, and he smiled again and grew merry; and he began reckoning the distance to the Iron Hills and how long it would be before Dain could reach the Lonely Mountain, if he had set out as soon as the message reached him. But Bilbo’s heart fell, both at the song and the talk: they sounded much too warlike.
这首歌看来让索林很是受用，他的脸上又露出了笑容，心情好了起来。他开始计算到铁丘陵的距离，戴因如果一接到消息立刻出发，不知要花多久能够抵达孤山。但比尔博的心情却越来越低落，人们唱的歌和说的话都让他感觉大战在即。
The next morning early a company of spearmen was seen crossing the river, and marching up the valley. They bore with them the green banner of the Elvenking and the blue banner of the Lake, and they advanced until they stood right before the wall at the Gate.
第二天一早，只见一队持长矛的士兵越过了河，沿着山谷朝上边走来。他们拿着一精一灵国王的绿一色一旗帜和长湖的蓝一色一旗帜，一路走到高墙前站定。
Again Thorin hailed them in a loud voice: “Who are you that come armed for war to the gates of Thorin son of Thrain, King under the Mountain?” This time he was answered.
索林再度用嘹亮的声音招呼他们：“来者何人?为何全副武装，来到瑟莱因之子索林，山下之王门前，意图开战?”这次他得到了回答。
A tall man stood forward, dark of hair and grim of face, and he cried: “Hail Thorin! Why do you fence yourself like a robber in his hold? We are not yet foes, and we rejoice that you are alive beyond our hope. We came expecting to find none living here; yet now that we are met there is matter for a parley and a council.”
一名个子高大，头发黑黑，脸一色一陰一沉的男子走出队列，对他大喊道：“索林你好!你为什么要像落网的强盗一样把自己关起来?我们还不是敌人呢，我们没想到你竟然还活着，但我们很高兴。我们没料到这儿还会有人活着，但既然碰上了，那有些事就该好好谈谈，商量一下。”
“Who are you, and of what would you parley?”
“你是谁，有什么要商谈的?”
“I am Bard, and by my hand was the dragon slain and your treasure delivered. Is that not a matter that concerns you? Moreover I am by right descent the heir of Girion of Dale, and in your hoard is mingled much of the wealth of his halls and towns, which of old Smaug stole. Is not that a matter of which we may speak? Further in his last battle Smaug destroyed the dwellings of the men of Esgaroth, and I am yet the servant of their Master. I would speak for him and ask whether you ha一ve no thought for the sorrow and misery of his people. They aided you in your distress, and in recompense you ha一ve thus far brought ruin only, though doubtless undesigned.”
“我是巴德，恶龙是我亲手射死的，宝藏也等于是经我的手你们才得到的。这难道与你无关吗?而且，我还是河谷邦之王吉瑞安的嫡传子孙，你的宝藏中也有许多是史矛革从他的宫殿与城镇中抢去的，这件事我们难道没有资格和你商谈吗?不只如此，在最后一战中，史矛革还摧毁了埃斯加洛斯人的居所，我还算是服务于他们镇长的。我要代表他来问问你，是否有顾及到他的镇民们所遭遇的不幸。他们在你们饥寒交迫的时候曾给予你们帮助，而作为回报，到目前为止，你们只给他们带去了毁灭，虽然这肯定不是你们的有意之举。”
Now these were fair words and true, if proudly and grimly spoken; and Bilbo thought that Thorin would at once admit what justice was in them. He did not, of course, expect that any one would remember that it was he who discovered all by himself the dragon’s weak spot; and that was just as well, for no one ever did. But also he did not reckon with the power that gold has upon which a dragon has long brooded, nor with dwarvish hearts. Long hours in the past days Thorin had spent in the treasury, and the lust of it was hea一vy on him. Though he had hunted chiefly for the Arkenstone, yet he had an eye for many another wonderful thing that was lying there, about which were wound old memories of the labours and the sorrows of his race.
即使说得有点高傲和严厉，但话却是在理而且一点不假的。比尔博以为索林会立刻承认对方说得有道理。当然，他根本不指望会有人记得是他单一槍一匹马凭借一己之力发现了恶龙的弱点。他这么想很对，因为的确没有人记得了。但他也忽略了被恶龙盘踞已久的黄金所具有的蛊惑力，也没考虑到矮人们的心灵。在过去的几天中，索林长时间置身于宝藏中，因此宝藏在他心中撩一起了浓厚的欲一望。虽然他主要是在寻找阿肯宝钻，但他对放在那里的其他许多好东西还是看在眼里的，这些都勾起了他对族人所付出一血汗的伤痛记忆。
“You put your worst cause last and in the chief place,” Thorin answered. “To the treasure of my people no man has a claim, because Smaug who stole it from us also robbed him of life or home. The treasure was not his that his evil deeds should be amended with a share of it. The price of the goods and the assistance that we received of the Lake-men we will fairly pay—in due time. But nothing will we give, not even a loaf’s worth, under threat of force. While an armed host lies before our doors, we look on you as foes and thieves.
“你把最糟糕的理由放在最后也是最主要的位置，”索林回答道，“没有人有资格分享我的族人的宝藏，因为夺走这些宝藏的史矛革也同样夺走了他们的生命和家园。这宝藏不属于他，因此他的恶行也不该以分享宝藏的方式来弥补。长湖镇的人们给予我们的物资与协助，我们在适当的时候会给予优厚的回报。但是，在武力的威胁下，我们什么都不会给，哪怕只是一条面包的钱!只要你们还陈兵于我们的门前，我们就将你们看作敌人和小偷。
“It is in my mind to ask what share of their inheritance you would ha一ve paid to our kindred, had you found the hoard unguarded and us slain.”
“我心里倒也有个问题想问，如果你们来的时候发现我们已经被杀，宝藏无人看守，不知你们会分给我们的同胞多少他们应得的继承。”
“A just question,” replied Bard. “But you are not dead, and we are not robbers. Moreover the wealthy may ha一ve pity beyond right on the needy that befriended them when they were in want. And still my other claims remain unanswered.”
“一个很介理的问题。”巴德说，“但你们并没有死，而我们也不是强盗。而且，富贵的人对于那些在他们匮乏之时善待他们，而如今又身处穷困的人不是应该多些怜悯，少谈些权利吗?此外，我刚才提出的其他要求也没有得到答复。”
“I will not parley, as I ha一ve said, with armed men at my gate. Nor at all with the people of the Elvenking, whom I remember with small kindness. In this debate they ha一ve no place. Begone now ere our arrows fly! And if you would speak with me again, first dismiss the elvish host to the woods where it belongs, and then return, laying down your arms before you approach the threshold.”
“我刚才说了，拿着武器的人站在我的门前，我什么都不谈。尤其是那些一精一灵国王的人，我想起他们气就不打一处来。这场辩论根本没有他们的份儿。走吧，不然就得尝尝我们弓箭的滋味了!如果你想再和我商谈，先把一精一灵部队赶回他们该待的森林，然后回来，放下武器，再靠近我们的门槛。”
“The Elvenking is my friend, and he has succoured the people of the Lake in their need, though they had no claim but friendship on him,” answered Bard. “We will give you time to repent your words. Gather your wisdom ere we return!” Then he departed and went back to the camp.
“一精一灵国王是我的朋友，在我的湖区同胞们陷于危难之时，他伸出了救助之手，虽然他与他们只有友谊而并不欠他们人情。”巴德回答道，“我们愿意给你时间对自己的话作出悔悟，在我们回来之前，请恢复理智吧!”说罢，他就转身回营地去了。
Ere many hours were past, the banner-bearers returned, and trumpeters stood forth and blew a blast:
几个小时之后，掌旗者又回来了，号手向前站定，吹起一阵号角：
“In the name of Esgaroth and the Forest,” one cried, “we speak unto Thorin Thrain’s son Oakenshield, calling himself the King under the Mountain, and we bid him consider well the claims that ha一ve been urged, or be declared our foe. At the least he shall deliver one twelfth portion of the treasure unto Bard, as the dragon-slayer, and as the heir of Girion. From that portion Bard will himself contribute to the aid of Esgaroth; but if Thorin would ha一ve the friendship and honour of the lands about, as his sires had of old, then he will give also somewhat of his own for the comfort of the men of the Lake.”
“以埃斯加洛斯和森林之名，”一人喊话道，“我们向瑟莱因之子，自称为山下之王的索林·橡木盾宣告，我们希望他郑重考虑之前所提出的条件，否则就将被视作我们的敌人。作为下限，他应该将宝藏的十二分之一交予吉瑞安的继承人、屠龙者巴德。巴德将自行利用该份额来援助埃斯加洛斯。但如果索林希望像其古代的先祖们一样获得周边居民的友善与尊重，他也应该将自己宝藏的部分给予长湖地区的人类，以弥补他们所受到的伤害。”
Then Thorin seized a bow of horn and shot an arrow at the speaker. It smote into his shield and stuck there quivering.
索林听到这里，立刻夺过一把角弓，一箭向宣读者射去。羽箭夺的一声射人宣读者身前的盾牌，露在外面的半截兀自抖个不停。
“Since such is your answer,” he called in return, “I declare the Mountain besieged. You shall not depart from it, until you call on your side for a truce and a parley. We will bear no weapons against you, but we lea一ve you to your gold. You may eat that, if you will!”
“既然这就是你的答案，”他大喊着回应，“我宣布从现在起对孤山实施围困。你们不得离开此地，除非由你方提出停止争执，展开会谈。我们不会对你们使用武器，而是让你们好好守着这些黄金。你们要想把它们全都吃掉也可以，如果你们愿意的话!”
With that the messengers departed swiftly, and the dwarves were left to consider their case. So grim had Thorin become, that even if they had wished, the others would not ha一ve dared to find fault with him; but indeed most of them seemed to share his mind—except perhaps old fat Bombur and Fili and Kili. Bilbo, of course, disapproved of the whole turn of affairs. He had by now had more than enough of the Mountain, and being besieged inside it was not at all to his taste.
使者说罢便很快离开了，留下矮人们仔细思考自己的处境。索林变得十分一陰一郁，其他人就算想批评他也没那个胆儿。但其实大多数人似乎和他有同样的想法——可能只有胖胖的老邦伯、菲力和奇力除外。比尔博对于事情演变到这一步当然是不赞同的，他现在已经受够了待在山里的滋味，被围困在山里根本不对他的口味。
“The whole place still stinks of dragon,” he grumbled to himself, “and it makes me sick. And cram is beginning simply to stick in my throat.”
“这整个地方还是有恶龙的臭味!”他自言自语地抱怨道，“真让我恶心。最近吃起克拉姆来，老是卡在喉咙里，下也下不去!”
