霍比特人：黑云壓城 The Gathering of the Clouds

THE GATHERING OF THE CLOUDS

黑云壓城

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.

現(xiàn)在，我們又該回到比爾博和矮人們這邊來了。整個(gè)晚上他們都安排了一個(gè)人的哨，可一直到第二天天亮他們都沒有聽見或看見任何危險(xiǎn)的跡象。不過，鳥群卻聚攏得越來越密集，一群一群的鳥從南方飛來，而依然住在孤山周邊的烏鴉則在天空中不停地盤旋、鳴叫。

“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發(fā)生，”索林說，“候鳥秋季遷徙的時(shí)間已經(jīng)過了，這些鳥都是一直棲息在平原上的。那里有八哥和雜雀，再遠(yuǎn)些的地方有許多食腐尸的鳥，怎么好像大戰(zhàn)在即的樣子!”

Suddenly Bilbo pointed: “There is that old thrush again!” he cried. “He seems to have escaped, when Smaug smashed the mountain-side, but I don’t suppose the snails have!”

突然，比爾博指著前方說道：“看哪!那只老畫眉鳥又回來了!史矛革把山壁打碎的時(shí)候，他看來是逃脫了，不過我想那些蝸?？隙]有躲過此劫!”

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.

沒錯(cuò)，那里出現(xiàn)的就是那只老畫眉鳥。就在比爾博指著他的時(shí)候，他朝他們飛了過來，停在了旁邊的一塊石頭上，拍拍翅膀，鳴叫了片刻，然后側(cè)過腦袋，仿佛在傾聽著;然后他又鳴叫，接著又側(cè)頭傾聽。

“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?”

“我覺得他想要告訴我們什么，”巴林說，“但是我聽不懂這種鳥的語言，他說得太快、太難懂了。你聽得懂嗎，比爾博?”

“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，”比爾博說(其實(shí)他根本連一個(gè)字也不懂)，“不過這個(gè)老家伙似乎非常興奮。”

“I only wish he was a raven!” said Balin.

“我真希望他是只渡鴉!”巴林說。

“I thought you did not like them! You seemed very shy of them, when we came this way before.”

“我還以為你不喜歡渡鴉呢!我們以前過來的時(shí)候，你似乎很害怕它們。”

“Those were crows! And nasty suspicious-looking creatures at that, and rude as well. You must have heard the ugly names they were calling after us. But the ravens 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.

“那些是烏鴉!它們非?？蓯海桓币缮褚晒淼臉幼?，還很粗魯。你一定聽見它們?cè)诒澈蠼形覀兊哪切╇y聽名字了。但渡鴉不一樣，它們和瑟羅爾的子民以前曾經(jīng)非常友好，它們經(jīng)常會(huì)帶情報(bào)來給我們，我們則會(huì)賞賜給它們一些亮閃閃的東西，它們就喜歡把這種東西藏在自己的巢里面。

“They live many a year, and their memories are long, and they hand on their wisdom to their children. I knew many among the ravens of the rocks when I was a dwarf-lad. This very height was once named Ravenhill, 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.”

“它們的壽命很長，記憶也很長久，而且它們會(huì)把智慧傳給后代。我還是個(gè)孩子的時(shí)候，認(rèn)識(shí)許多住在巖石間的渡鴉。這片高地以前就叫做渡鴉嶺，因?yàn)橛幸粚?duì)相當(dāng)睿智且有名的渡鴉夫婦，老卡克和他的妻子，住在這里，就在守衛(wèi)室的屋頂上面。不過，我想那些古老的鳥類不會(huì)再逗留在這兒了吧。”

No sooner had he finished speaking than the old thrush gave a loud call, and immediately flew away.

他的話還沒說完，那只老畫眉鳥就發(fā)出一聲嘹亮的鳴叫，馬上飛走了。

“We may not understand him, but that old bird understands us, I am sure,” said Balin. “Keep watch now, and see what happens!”

“我們也許聽不懂它的話，但我敢肯定這只老鳥能聽懂我們說些什么。”巴林說，“留點(diǎn)神，看看接下來會(huì)發(fā)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 raven of great size. He alighted stiffly on the ground before them, slowly flapped his wings, and bobbed towards Thorin.

沒過多久，外面就傳來一陣拍擊翅膀的聲音，畫眉鳥又回來了，還帶來了一只老得夠可以的老鳥。他已經(jīng)接近失明，飛起來十分勉強(qiáng)，頭頂?shù)拿踩d了。這是一只身形巨大的老渡鴉，只見他笨拙地降落在他們面前的地上，緩緩地拍拍翅膀，邁著碎步走向索林。

“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 ravens 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，瑟萊因之子索林，芬丁之子巴林，”它嘎嘎叫道(比爾博也可以明白他在說什么，因?yàn)樗玫氖侨嗽挾皇区B語)，“我是卡克之子羅阿克?？艘呀?jīng)死了，但他以前和你們往來相當(dāng)密切。我從蛋里面破殼而出已經(jīng)有一百五十三年了，但我沒有忘記我父親告訴的事情?，F(xiàn)在，我是山中的渡鴉首領(lǐng)。我們的數(shù)量很少，但我們?nèi)匀挥浀眠^去的老國王。我的同胞們大都到外面去了，因?yàn)槟戏接辛酥卮蟮南?mdash;—有些對(duì)你們來說是好消息，有些在你們看了可能會(huì)覺得不妙。

“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!鳥兒們從南方、東方和西方又重新回到孤山，回到谷地來了，因?yàn)槭访锼劳龅南⒁呀?jīng)傳開了!”

“Dead! Dead?” shouted the dwarves. “Dead! Then we have been in needless fear—and the treasure is ours!” They all sprang up and began to caper about for joy.

“死了!死了?”矮人們一個(gè)個(gè)都喊了起來，“死了!那我們還怕個(gè)什么勁兒——財(cái)寶是我們的了!”他們?nèi)继似饋恚治枳愕傅亻_始慶祝。

“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。”羅阿克說，“這只畫眉鳥，愿他的羽毛永不掉落，親眼目睹了他的死亡，我們可以相信他說的話。在三天之前的晚上，月亮升起的時(shí)候，它看見惡龍?jiān)诤桶Ｋ辜勇逅沟娜祟愖鲬?zhàn)的時(shí)候從空中被射落了。”

It was some time before Thorin could bring the dwarves to be silent and listen to the raven’s news. At length when he had told all the tale of the battle he went on:

索林過了好一會(huì)兒才讓矮人們安靜下來，繼續(xù)聽渡鴉帶來的消息。最后，當(dāng)描述了戰(zhàn)斗的整個(gè)過程之后，他繼續(xù)說道：

“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 have 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，歡慶就到此為止吧。你可以安全地回到大廳中去，所有的寶物都是你的——暫時(shí)是這樣的。但是除了飛鳥之外還有許多東西也在往這邊聚集，寶藏守衛(wèi)者死亡的消息已經(jīng)傳得很遠(yuǎn)很廣了，瑟羅爾王財(cái)富的傳說并沒有在多年的口口相傳中失落，許多人都迫不及待地想要來分一杯羹。精靈大軍已經(jīng)在路上了，食腐肉的鳥兒們和他們一起來了，盼望著能有一場(chǎng)戰(zhàn)斗與殺戮。長湖邊的人們?cè)诒г梗f他們的慘劇都應(yīng)當(dāng)歸罪于矮人，他們現(xiàn)在無家可歸，許多人都死了，史矛革毀了他們的城鎮(zhèn)。不管你們是活是死，他們也想要從你們的寶藏中獲取補(bǔ)償。

“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 have spoken.”

“你必須憑借自己的智慧來決定如何應(yīng)對(duì)，不過，十三名矮人和當(dāng)年都林在此生息的子孫相比，實(shí)在少得可憐，那些子孫現(xiàn)如今也都散落天涯了。如果你愿意聽我的忠告，請(qǐng)不要相信長湖鎮(zhèn)的鎮(zhèn)長，請(qǐng)相信那個(gè)用弓箭射下惡龍的人。他的名字叫巴德，屬河谷邦一族，是吉瑞安的子孫。他性情嚴(yán)厲，可待人真誠。在這片地區(qū)長期經(jīng)受惡龍的荼毒之后，我們很想看見矮人、人類和精靈能再次和平相處，不過這會(huì)要花去你不少的黃金。我說完了!”

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!”

索林憤怒地回答道：“卡克之子羅阿克，請(qǐng)接受我們的感謝，你和你的同胞我們永不會(huì)忘記，但是，只要我們還活著，就決不容任何人從我們這里巧取豪奪走一點(diǎn)。如果你還想再獲得我們更多的感謝，就請(qǐng)把任何向這里靠近的人的消息告訴我們。我還想請(qǐng)求你，如果你的同族之中還有年輕力壯、羽翼豐滿的，請(qǐng)派他們到北方山脈中去尋找我們的族人，無論是向西去還是向東去，把我們的困境告訴他們。不過，請(qǐng)你特別要去鐵丘陵通知我的堂親戴因，他手下有許多武裝精良的士兵，而且也離這邊最近。請(qǐng)他務(wù)必快點(diǎn)趕來!”

“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.

“我不會(huì)批評(píng)你的策略是好是壞，”羅阿克粗聲回答道，“但我愿意做我力所能及的事情。”說完他就慢慢地飛走了。

“Back now to the Mountain!” cried Thorin. “We have little time to lose.”

“快回山里去!”索林大喊道，“我們的時(shí)間不多了。”

“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 have given most of his share of the profits for the peaceful winding up of these affairs.

“食物也沒有多少!”比爾博喊道，他在這些地方一向很實(shí)際。他覺得不過分地說，這場(chǎng)冒險(xiǎn)已經(jīng)隨著惡龍的死亡而結(jié)束了——在這一點(diǎn)上他可是大錯(cuò)特錯(cuò)了——他寧愿放棄自己大部分應(yīng)得的報(bào)酬，換取一切有個(gè)和平的收?qǐng)觥?/p>

“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!”矮人們喊道，仿佛根本沒有聽見他說話似的。于是，他只好跟著大家一起回去了。

As you have heard some of the events already, you will see that the dwarves still had some days before them. They explored the caverns 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.

由于有些事情你們已經(jīng)聽說了，所以你們知道，矮人們其實(shí)還有幾天的時(shí)間作準(zhǔn)備。他們仔細(xì)檢查了大小洞穴，發(fā)現(xiàn)果然如同他們所預(yù)料的那樣，只有正門還是開著的，所有別的門(當(dāng)然，那個(gè)小密門除外)都早已被史矛革要么破壞要么封鎖了，連一點(diǎn)痕跡都沒有剩下。因此，他們開始努力加強(qiáng)正門的防御工事，并重新修建一條從地下宮殿通往外面的道路。工具能找到很多，那是古代的礦工、采石工和建筑工們所使用過的，矮人們對(duì)于這些工作依舊十分在行。

As they worked the ravens 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 raven, to find the ponies and bring back all they could.

在他們工作的同時(shí)，渡鴉也不停地給他們帶來新消息。他們靠著這樣的方式，知道了精靈國王把部隊(duì)轉(zhuǎn)向帶到了湖邊，這樣他們就有了喘息之機(jī)。更利好的消息是，他們聽說他們?cè)鹊男●R中有三匹逃過了史矛革的追捕，現(xiàn)在正在奔流河的河岸附近亂跑，距離他們剩余的補(bǔ)給品被留下的地方并沒有多遠(yuǎn)。因此，當(dāng)其他人忙著手上活兒的時(shí)候，菲力和奇力由一只渡鴉領(lǐng)著，被派去尋找小馬，并盡可能地把補(bǔ)給品帶回來。

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.

時(shí)間又過去了四天，那時(shí)他們已經(jīng)知道長湖鎮(zhèn)人類和精靈的聯(lián)軍正快速向孤山行進(jìn)著。但現(xiàn)在他們對(duì)未來的希望反而更加高漲，因?yàn)樗麄兊氖澄镏灰峙涞卯?dāng)，夠撐好幾星期的——當(dāng)然，主要是克拉姆，他們都已經(jīng)吃膩了，可是總比什么都沒有要好很多——而且大門已經(jīng)被一座由方正巖石砌起的高墻給封閉了起來，墻壁又厚又高，橫亙?cè)谡T前方，上面有孔，他們可以觀察(或發(fā)射弓箭)，但外面的人卻進(jìn)不來。他們利用梯子進(jìn)出高墻，用繩子吊運(yùn)貨物，在墻的下部開了個(gè)小小的拱形出口，供河水往外流。但在靠近進(jìn)口的地方，他們改變了狹窄的河道，使得一個(gè)寬闊的水潭一直從山墻延伸到了河流傾瀉入谷地的瀑布源頭。現(xiàn)在，如果不游泳想要接近大門的話，只有沿著一道懸崖上鑿出來的狹窄小徑，位于從高墻上望出去的右側(cè)。他們找回來的小馬只能來到舊橋上方的臺(tái)階盡頭，在那里卸下所有補(bǔ)給之后，他們就讓小馬回到主人那里去，然后再空著馬背被送去南邊。

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，他們眼前突然出現(xiàn)了許多光點(diǎn)，是南邊遠(yuǎn)處河谷城那里的營火和火把。

“They have come!” called Balin. “And their camp is very great. They must have come into the valley under the cover of dusk along both banks of the river.”

“他們來了!”巴林大喊，“他們的營地規(guī)模非常大，這支部隊(duì)一定是借著夜色的掩護(hù)，沿著河兩岸過來的。”

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，矮人們都沒怎么睡。天還蒙蒙亮的時(shí)候，他們發(fā)現(xiàn)有一群人逼近了。他們?cè)趬罂粗切┤诉M(jìn)入山谷，慢慢地向上爬來。不久他們就看清了，來的人當(dāng)中既有全副武裝的湖區(qū)人類，也有混雜其間的精靈弓箭手。最后，隊(duì)伍的前哨攀上了塌落的巖石，出現(xiàn)在了瀑布頂上。當(dāng)他們看見眼前的大水池和新砌的巖石高墻時(shí)，不禁大吃一驚。

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?”

就在他們站在那里指指點(diǎn)點(diǎn)，交頭接耳的時(shí)候，索林先跟他們招呼上了。“來者何人?”他用中氣十足的聲音大喊道，“你們擺出一副開戰(zhàn)的樣子，來到瑟萊因之子索林，山下之王的宮殿前，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.

對(duì)方并沒有回答。有些人馬上掉轉(zhuǎn)身就走了，其他人則盯著大門及其防御看了一會(huì)兒，也跟著走了。部隊(duì)的營地當(dāng)天就移到了河的東側(cè)，就在大山的兩道支脈之間。巖壁間隨即回響起了談笑聲和歌聲，這是他們好久沒有做過的事情了。其間還夾雜著精靈的豎琴和甜美的音樂，當(dāng)這些美妙的音樂向他們飄來時(shí)，仿佛凜冽的寒氣也跟著溫暖起來，他們還依稀聞到了森林中的花朵在春日里綻放的香氣。

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.

比爾博這時(shí)很想從這個(gè)黑暗的堡壘里逃離，到下面的篝火邊去加入他們的歡宴歌舞。一些比較年輕的矮人心里也動(dòng)搖起來，他們嘀咕著希望事情不是這樣，希望能用朋友的身份來接待這些人。但索林卻是一臉的怒容。

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，矮人們也拿出了從寶山中找到的豎琴和樂器，用音樂來舒緩索林的情緒。不過他們唱的并非是精靈的歌曲，更像是他們很久前在比爾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!

國王終于回到了家!

His foe is dead, the Worm of Dread,

他的敵人已死，那可怕的惡龍，

And ever so his foes shall fall.

誰與他為敵也將同樣倒下。

The sword is sharp, the spear is long,

寶劍鋒利，長槍長，

The arrow swift, the Gate is strong;

箭矢飛快，城門強(qiáng);

The heart is bold that looks on gold;

尋找黃金膽氣壯;

The dwarves no more shall suffer wrong.

矮人不再受欺枉。

The dwarves of yore made mighty spells,

往昔的矮人念下強(qiáng)大咒語，

While hammers fell like ringing bells

伴著那鐵錘砸出叮當(dāng)樂曲，

In places deep, where dark things sleep,

幽深之處有黑暗生物沉睡，

In hollow halls beneath the fells.

山石下的空穴深不知幾許。

On silver necklaces they strung

在銀項(xiàng)鏈上他們串起了一行

The light of stars, on crowns they hung

星辰，如鮮花那般美麗綻放，

The dragon-fire, from twisted wire

在王冠上他們綴以龍的火焰，

The melody of harps they wrung.

扭曲的線條間豎琴奏出清響。

The mountain throne once more is freed!

山中寶座擺脫了殘暴的君王!

O! wandering folk, the summons heed! Come haste!

哦，流散的同胞，召喚的號(hào)角已吹響!

Come haste! across the waste!

快來!快來!越過荒野!

The king of friend and kin has need.

國王需要朋友與族人相幫。

Now call we over mountains cold,

我們呼喚，越過冰冷山脈，

‘Come back unto the caverns old’!

“快回到古老的洞穴中來!”

Here at the Gates the king awaits,

國王就在大門口等待，

His hands are rich with gems and gold.

手中滿攥珠寶與錢財(cái)。

The king is come unto his hall

國王終于回到家，

Under the Mountain dark and tall.

在那黑暗高峻的孤山下。

The Worm of Dread is slain and dead,

可怕的惡龍已被殺死，

And ever so our foes shall fall!

誰再與我們?yōu)閿骋矊⑼瑯拥瓜?

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.

這首歌看來讓索林很是受用，他的臉上又露出了笑容，心情好了起來。他開始計(jì)算到鐵丘陵的距離，戴因如果一接到消息立刻出發(fā)，不知要花多久能夠抵達(dá)孤山。但比爾博的心情卻越來越低落，人們唱的歌和說的話都讓他感覺大戰(zhàn)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，只見一隊(duì)持長矛的士兵越過了河，沿著山谷朝上邊走來。他們拿著精靈國王的綠色旗幟和長湖的藍(lán)色旗幟，一路走到高墻前站定。

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.

索林再度用嘹亮的聲音招呼他們：“來者何人?為何全副武裝，來到瑟萊因之子索林，山下之王門前，意圖開戰(zhàn)?”這次他得到了回答。

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.”

一名個(gè)子高大，頭發(fā)黑黑，臉色陰沉的男子走出隊(duì)列，對(duì)他大喊道：“索林你好!你為什么要像落網(wǎng)的強(qiáng)盜一樣把自己關(guān)起來?我們還不是敵人呢，我們沒想到你竟然還活著，但我們很高興。我們沒料到這兒還會(huì)有人活著，但既然碰上了，那有些事就該好好談?wù)?，商量一下?rdquo;

“Who are you, and of what would you parley?”

“你是誰，有什么要商談的?”

“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 have no thought for the sorrow and misery of his people. They aided you in your distress, and in recompense you have thus far brought ruin only, though doubtless undesigned.”

“我是巴德，惡龍是我親手射死的，寶藏也等于是經(jīng)我的手你們才得到的。這難道與你無關(guān)嗎?而且，我還是河谷邦之王吉瑞安的嫡傳子孫，你的寶藏中也有許多是史矛革從他的宮殿與城鎮(zhèn)中搶去的，這件事我們難道沒有資格和你商談嗎?不只如此，在最后一戰(zhàn)中，史矛革還摧毀了埃斯加洛斯人的居所，我還算是服務(wù)于他們鎮(zhèn)長的。我要代表他來問問你，是否有顧及到他的鎮(zhèn)民們所遭遇的不幸。他們?cè)谀銈凁嚭黄鹊臅r(shí)候曾給予你們幫助，而作為回報(bào)，到目前為止，你們只給他們帶去了毀滅，雖然這肯定不是你們的有意之舉。”

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 heavy 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.

即使說得有點(diǎn)高傲和嚴(yán)厲，但話卻是在理而且一點(diǎn)不假的。比爾博以為索林會(huì)立刻承認(rèn)對(duì)方說得有道理。當(dāng)然，他根本不指望會(huì)有人記得是他單槍匹馬憑借一己之力發(fā)現(xiàn)了惡龍的弱點(diǎn)。他這么想很對(duì)，因?yàn)榈拇_沒有人記得了。但他也忽略了被惡龍盤踞已久的黃金所具有的蠱惑力，也沒考慮到矮人們的心靈。在過去的幾天中，索林長時(shí)間置身于寶藏中，因此寶藏在他心中撩起了濃厚的欲望。雖然他主要是在尋找阿肯寶鉆，但他對(duì)放在那里的其他許多好東西還是看在眼里的，這些都勾起了他對(duì)族人所付出血汗的傷痛記憶。

“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，“沒有人有資格分享我的族人的寶藏，因?yàn)閵Z走這些寶藏的史矛革也同樣奪走了他們的生命和家園。這寶藏不屬于他，因此他的惡行也不該以分享寶藏的方式來彌補(bǔ)。長湖鎮(zhèn)的人們給予我們的物資與協(xié)助，我們?cè)谶m當(dāng)?shù)臅r(shí)候會(huì)給予優(yōu)厚的回報(bào)。但是，在武力的威脅下，我們什么都不會(huì)給，哪怕只是一條面包的錢!只要你們還陳兵于我們的門前，我們就將你們看作敵人和小偷。

“It is in my mind to ask what share of their inheritance you would have paid to our kindred, had you found the hoard unguarded and us slain.”

“我心里倒也有個(gè)問題想問，如果你們來的時(shí)候發(fā)現(xiàn)我們已經(jīng)被殺，寶藏?zé)o人看守，不知你們會(huì)分給我們的同胞多少他們應(yīng)得的繼承。”

“A just question,” replied Bard. “But you are not dead, and we are not robbers. Moreover the wealthy may have pity beyond right on the needy that befriended them when they were in want. And still my other claims remain unanswered.”

“一個(gè)很介理的問題。”巴德說，“但你們并沒有死，而我們也不是強(qiáng)盜。而且，富貴的人對(duì)于那些在他們匱乏之時(shí)善待他們，而如今又身處窮困的人不是應(yīng)該多些憐憫，少談些權(quán)利嗎?此外，我剛才提出的其他要求也沒有得到答復(fù)。”

“I will not parley, as I have 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 have 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.”

“我剛才說了，拿著武器的人站在我的門前，我什么都不談。尤其是那些精靈國王的人，我想起他們氣就不打一處來。這場(chǎng)辯論根本沒有他們的份兒。走吧，不然就得嘗嘗我們弓箭的滋味了!如果你想再和我商談，先把精靈部隊(duì)趕回他們?cè)摯纳郑缓蠡貋?，放下武器，再靠近我們的門檻。”

“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.

“精靈國王是我的朋友，在我的湖區(qū)同胞們陷于危難之時(shí)，他伸出了救助之手，雖然他與他們只有友誼而并不欠他們?nèi)饲椤?rdquo;巴德回答道，“我們?cè)敢饨o你時(shí)間對(duì)自己的話作出悔悟，在我們回來之前，請(qǐng)恢復(fù)理智吧!”說罷，他就轉(zhuǎn)身回營地去了。

Ere many hours were past, the banner-bearers returned, and trumpeters stood forth and blew a blast:

幾個(gè)小時(shí)之后，掌旗者又回來了，號(hào)手向前站定，吹起一陣號(hào)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 have 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 have 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，”一人喊話道，“我們向瑟萊因之子，自稱為山下之王的索林·橡木盾宣告，我們希望他鄭重考慮之前所提出的條件，否則就將被視作我們的敵人。作為下限，他應(yīng)該將寶藏的十二分之一交予吉瑞安的繼承人、屠龍者巴德。巴德將自行利用該份額來援助埃斯加洛斯。但如果索林希望像其古代的先祖?zhèn)円粯荧@得周邊居民的友善與尊重，他也應(yīng)該將自己寶藏的部分給予長湖地區(qū)的人類，以彌補(bǔ)他們所受到的傷害。”

Then Thorin seized a bow of horn and shot an arrow at the speaker. It smote into his shield and stuck there quivering.

索林聽到這里，立刻奪過一把角弓，一箭向宣讀者射去。羽箭奪的一聲射人宣讀者身前的盾牌，露在外面的半截兀自抖個(gè)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 leave you to your gold. You may eat that, if you will!”

“既然這就是你的答案，”他大喊著回應(yīng)，“我宣布從現(xiàn)在起對(duì)孤山實(shí)施圍困。你們不得離開此地，除非由你方提出停止?fàn)巿?zhí)，展開會(huì)談。我們不會(huì)對(duì)你們使用武器，而是讓你們好好守著這些黃金。你們要想把它們?nèi)汲缘粢部梢裕绻銈冊(cè)敢獾脑?”

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 have 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.

使者說罷便很快離開了，留下矮人們仔細(xì)思考自己的處境。索林變得十分陰郁，其他人就算想批評(píng)他也沒那個(gè)膽兒。但其實(shí)大多數(shù)人似乎和他有同樣的想法——可能只有胖胖的老邦伯、菲力和奇力除外。比爾博對(duì)于事情演變到這一步當(dāng)然是不贊同的，他現(xiàn)在已經(jīng)受夠了待在山里的滋味，被圍困在山里根本不對(duì)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.”

“這整個(gè)地方還是有惡龍的臭味!”他自言自語地抱怨道，“真讓我惡心。最近吃起克拉姆來，老是卡在喉嚨里，下也下不去!”