Сборник самых известных английских легенд. Уровень 1

Grendel was pained by the noise. He did not like people and he did not like the merry life in the banquet hall. Grendel was one of mankind’s most bitter enemies[36 - bitter enemies – злейшие враги]; his hatred of the joyous shouts from Heorot, and his determination to stop the feasting grew on. One night he went to the hall to see what the king and his men did there. The door was open and he saw a company of thanes and warriors sitting at the tables or lying on the floor, and all of them were asleep after the feast. Grendel attacked the hall and killed and devoured thirty of Hrothgar’s warriors while they were sleeping. But Grendel did not touch the throne of Hrothgar, for it was protected by a powerful god.

When dawn broke, and the Danes[37 - Danes – даны, древнегерманское племя, населявшее нынешнюю Данию и Швецию] from their dwellings around the hall entered Heorot, great was the lamentation, and dire the dismay, for thirty noble champions had vanished, and the blood-stained tracks of the monster showed but too well the fate that had overtaken them. Hrothgar’s grief was profound, for he had lost thirty of his dearly loved bodyguards, and he himself was too old to wage a conflict[38 - wage a conflict – вступить в сражение] against the foe – a foe who repeated night by night his awful deeds.

The people were looking at the tracks of the terrible stranger on the floor of the hall. They knew that it was Grendel. “He will come again and again,” they said. “We are not safe here now.” Hrothgar and his people, helpless against Grendel’s attacks, abandoned Heorot. No champion would face the monster, and the Danes, in despair, deserted the glorious hall of which they had been so proud. Many of the thanes were frightened, and ran away and hid themselves in places where they thought the monster could not find them.

There were now fewer men in the banquet hall. And when Grendel came again one night, there was a very long struggle, but Grendel was a demon and had the strength of a demon. And so he killed some of the men and again ran away with them to the moor and devoured them.

Hrothgar could do nothing. The monster came now not only to the banquet hall, but to the houses of the people, and soon many houses were empty. And Grendel continued to kill.

The deeds of Grendel became known in all the countries of that time. Far and wide[39 - far and wide – повсюду] spread the tidings of this terrible oppression, and many champions came from afar[40 - from afar – издалека] to offer King Hrothgar their aid, but none was heroic enough to conquer the monster, and many mighty warriors lost their lives in a vain struggle against Grendel. At length[41 - at length – со временем] even these bold adventurers ceased to come; Grendel remained master of Heorot, he came often at night to the hall and slept there, and the Danes settled down in misery under the bondage of a perpetual nightly terror, while Hrothgar grew old in helpless longing for strength to rescue his people from their foe.

Twelve long years passed and there was great sorrow in the land. Hrothgar wanted to give Grendel much gold to end the war between them, but the monster refused. The banquet hall was empty now at night and there were no more feasts there. Those who had to cross the moors were in great danger, for Grendel watched for them, and caught and killed many. Many strong and brave men often sat in council[42 - sat in council – заседали в совете] with Hrothgar to decide what to do.

Beowulf, a young warrior who lived in a land far from the Danes, heard of Hrothgar’s troubles and left his homeland to help Hrothgar.

When Beowulf with his men came to Hrothgar, he said: “O great king! We have heard about the terrible monster that comes in the dark nights and destroys your people. Perhaps I can help you to overcome this demon.”

“I knew you when you were a child,” said Hrothgar. “Your father was a brave warrior. Now his son has come for a friendly purpose. Your fame has come hither before you; seafarers have told me that you have the might of thirty men in your hand-grip. Great joy it is to know of your coming. If you succeed in killing Grendel, great treasures will I bestow upon you.”

Beowulf said, “I know that this monster does not use any weapons, so I shall fight with him with my hands, without armour. If he kills me, he will take my body to his home. Then I ask you to send my armour back to my country.”

The aged King Hrothgar, who had listened attentively while the hero spoke of his plans and of his possible fate, said, “I shall do what you ask. Grendel has caused us much sorrow with his hatred. I know you will kill the monster. Now let us sit down and have a feast.”

So a company of warriors sat down at the table and ate and drank, and the bards sang and it was merry again in the banquet hall. Thereupon room was made for the warriors on the long benches, and Beowulf sat in the place of honour opposite to the king: great respect was shown to him, and all men looked with wonder on this mighty hero. When evening came, Hrothgar rose to leave the hall with his men. Then the king said to Beowulf, “I trust this great hall of the Danes to you and your men. Have courage, watch for the enemy[43 - watch for the enemy – жди врага]. Every wish that you have shall be granted[44 - Every wish that you have shall be granted. – Будет исполнено любое твоё желание.] if you kill the monster Grendel.”

Then Beowulf and his warriors were alone. Beowulf lay down on the floor and waited for Grendel. Then Grendel came from the moor, an awful light like fire came from his eyes. In the hall he saw a company of sleeping men and laughed loudly, as he expected to have a great meal before dawn. Grendel entered the hall and attacked, devouring one of Beowulf’s men. He stepped further into the hall and seized Beowulf, lying on the floor. Beowulf was sleeping and leaped up to clench Grendel’s hand.

The monster felt the strength of thirty men in that grip of Beowulf’s hands, and he was frightened. He wanted to escape and run away to the moor, but he could not free himself from Beowulf’s grip, and his bones cracked. Beowulf held the monster fast, and Grendel knew that his death was near.

Beowulf’s retainers drew their swords and rushed to his aid, but their blades could not pierce Grendel’s skin. The companions of Beowulf, with their swords, struck the monster on every side, but they did not know that no weapon could touch him, for he was a demon. But as much as he struggled[45 - but as much as he struggled – но сколько бы он ни боролся], he could not free himself from Beowulf’s grip. At last[46 - at last – наконец] Beowulf tore the arm out of Grendel’s body and a great wound appeared on the shoulder of the monster. Grendel ran to his home in the moor to die.

Everybody talked about the fame of Beowulf – that in all the world there was not a braver warrior than he. Then a famous bard composed a song about the killing of Grendel. The king greeted Beowulf and embraced him, and said, “We have suffered much from Grendel. Now you, Beowulf, the best of men, have done that which all of us could not do[47 - have done that which all of us could not do – совершил то, чего не смог сделать никто из нас]. I wish to take you into my heart as a son. Your fame will live forever because of the deed which you have performed.”

The king and queen gave many precious gifts to Beowulf, beautiful horses and weapons and armour with precious jewels. Hrothgar did not forget Beowulf’s warriors, and gave to each a valuable reward for his loyalty and courage. He did not forget the warrior killed by Grendel and gave much gold to Beowulf for the man’s wife and children. The feasting stopped for a few moments[48 - for a few moments – на некоторое время] to honour the memory of that warrior.

They did not leave the hall when it became dark, for now they had nothing to fear. So there was music and singing and feasting far into the night[49 - far into the night – до глубокой ночи].

The next night, after celebrating Grendel’s defeat, Hrothgar and his men were sleeping in Heorot. Grendel had gone home to die, but his mother, a fiend scarcely less terrible than her son[50 - scarcely less terrible than her son – не менее ужасная, чем её сын], yet lived to avenge his death. She arose from her dwelling in the gloomy lake. Angered by the punishment of her son, Grendel’s mother appeared and attacked the hall. There was a horrible panic when her presence became known, and men ran hither and thither[51 - hither and thither – туда-сюда] vainly seeking to attack her. Grendel’s mother killed Hrothgar’s most trusted warrior, Aeschere[52 - Aeschere – Эшер], in revenge for Grendel’s defeat. Then she ran away.

Hrothgar burst forth in uncontrollable emotion: “O Beowulf, help us if you can! Help is only to be found in you[53 - Help is only to be found in you. – Только ты сможешь помочь.]. But yet you know not the dangerous place you must explore it if you seek the fiend in her den. I will richly reward your valour if you return alive from this hazardous journey.”

Beowulf was touched by the sorrow of the grey-haired king, and replied, “Arise, my lord; let us scan the track left by the monster, for I promise you I will never lose it, wheresoever it may lead me.” So Hrothgar, Beowulf and their men tracked Grendel’s mother to her lair under a lake[54 - under a lake – на дне озера]. Beowulf prepared himself for battle, and went into the lake. He was swiftly detected and attacked by Grendel’s mother. However, she was unable to harm Beowulf through his armour and dragged him to the bottom of the lake. In a cavern containing Grendel’s body and the remains of men that the two had killed, Grendel’s mother and Beowulf engaged in fierce combat.

At first, Grendel’s mother appeared to prevail. Beowulf, finding that his sword could not harm his foe, discarded it in fury. But Grendel’s mother had a magic sword which she kept in that cavern. Beowulf grabbed the magical sword, and with it won her. Travelling further into the lair, Beowulf discovered Grendel’s dying body and severed its head. The blade of the magic sword melted like ice when it touched Grendel’s toxic blood, until only the hilt was left. This hilt was the only treasure that Beowulf carried out of cavern, which he presented to Hrothgar upon his return[55 - upon his return – по своему возвращению] to Heorot. Hrothgar gave Beowulf many gifts, including the magic sword, his family’s heirloom[56 - family’s heirloom – фамильная реликвия].

Beowulf returned home and eventually became king of his own people. He ruled the kingdom for many years. During that time he performed many great deeds.

One day, fifty years after Beowulf’s battle with Grendel’s mother, a slave stole a golden cup from the lair of a dragon. When the dragon saw that the cup had been stolen, it left its cave in a rage, burning everything in sight. Beowulf and his warriors came to fight the dragon, but Beowulf told his men that he would fight the dragon alone and that they should wait on the barrow. Beowulf descended to do battle with the dragon but found himself outmatched. His men, upon seeing this display and fearing for their lives, crept back into the woods. One of his men, however, Wiglaf[57 - Wiglaf – Виглаф], who found great distress in seeing Beowulf’s plight, came to Beowulf’s aid. The two killed the dragon, but Beowulf was mortally wounded.

Beowulf was buried on a cliff. The dragon’s treasure was buried with him, in accordance withBeowulf’s wishes[58 - in accordance with wishes – согласно воле], rather than distributed to his people, and there is a curse associated with the hoard to ensure that Beowulf’s wish is kept.

Упражнения

1. Выберите правильный вариант:

1. Scyld Scefing had come to Denmark in a boat loaded with bottles of rum.

2. Scyld Scefing had come to England in a vessel loaded with treasures.

3. Scyld Scefing had come to Denmark in a vessel loaded with treasures.

4. Scyld Scefing had come to Denmark in a big ship.

2. What colour was the banner which Scyld’s men put over his head when he died?

1. red.

2. black.

3. white.

4. golden.

3. Who (or what) is Heorot?

1. a mighty warrior.

2. the great hall.

3. a conqueror.

4. a king.

4. A goblin is

1. a legendary evil or mischievous grotesque dwarf-like creature.

2. a legendary creature with magic powers and supernatural beauty.

3. a big and ugly creature that dwells in isolated rocks.

4. a small, humanoid creature that lives underground.

5. What did Cain do?

1. Cain created his brother from one of his ribs.

2. Cain ate fruit from the forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden.