Джонатан Свифт - Легкое чтение на английском языке. Дж. Свифт. Путешествия Гулливера / Jonathan Swift. Gulliver’s Travels

I thought again of trying to break my bonds. But when I remembered the pain of their arrows on my face and hands, I indicated that they could do with me what they pleased. Soon after, I heard a general shout, “Peplom selan!” I could feel the threads on my left side being loosened. I was then able to turn onto my right side and to relieve myself by passing water – which I did plentifully. The people were amazed and moved away to avoid the torrent. Then I fell fast asleep for about eight hours. I was later told that the doctors had put a sleeping potion in the casks of wine, by order of the Emperor.

These people are excellent builders(эти люди – превосходные строители) . Five hundred carpenters and engineers set to work(пятьсот плотников и инженеров принялись за работу) to prepare their biggest vehicle ever(чтобы изготовить самую большую повозку, какую только им приходилось делать: «их самую большую повозку за все время»; vehicle – транспортное средство /любое/; ever – всегда; в любое время; когда-либо ) . It was a frame of wood about three inches from the ground(это была платформа из дерева = деревянная платформа /возвышавшаяся/ примерно на три дюйма от земли; frame – костяк, каркас; рама, несущая конструкция; конструкция, сооружение ) , about seven feet long and four feet wide(около семи футов в длину и четырех в ширину) . It moved on twenty-two wheels(двигалась она на двадцати двух колесах) . The main difficulty was how to lift me onto it(главная трудность была, как = состояла в том, чтобы поднять меня на нее).

These people are excellent builders. Five hundred carpenters and engineers set to work to prepare their biggest vehicle ever. It was a frame of wood about three inches from the ground, about seven feet long and four feet wide. It moved on twenty-two wheels. The main difficulty was how to lift me onto it.

Eighty poles, each a foot high(восемьдесят столбов, каждый в /один/ фут высотой) , were put up for this purpose(были установлены для этой цели) . Very strong threads were tied by hooks(очень толстые нити были прикреплены крючками; to tie – привязывать, связывать; соединять, прикреплять ) to many bandages around my neck(к многочисленным повязкам вокруг моей шеи) , hands, body and legs(рук, туловища и ног) . Nine hundred of the strongest men then pulled these threads(затем девятьсот самых сильных мужчин потащили эти нити) by pulleys fastened to the poles(при помощи шкивов/блоков, прикрепленных к столбам) . In less than three hours(менее чем за три часа) I was lifted and placed on the vehicle(я был поднят и уложен на повозку) , where I was tied down once more(где = к которой я был привязан снова: «еще раз»).

Eighty poles, each a foot high, were put up for this purpose. Very strong threads were tied by hooks to many bandages around my neck, hands, body and legs. Nine hundred of the strongest men then pulled these threads by pulleys fastened to the poles. In less than three hours I was lifted and placed on the vehicle, where I was tied down once more.

I was told all this later(все это рассказали мне позже) , for I lay in a deep sleep(так как я спал глубоким сном: «лежал в глубоком сне») it was happening(/когда/ это происходило) . Fifteen hundred of the Emperor’s largest horses(пятнадцать сотен = полторы тысячи самых крупных императорских лошадей) , each about four and a half inches high(вышиной около четырех с половиной дюймов каждая) , then pulled me towards the city(потащили меня затем к городу = столице).

We marched for a long time that day(в тот день мы долгое время = много времени провели в дороге; to march – маршировать; двигаться колонной; выступать в походном порядке ) and rested at night(а ночью отдыхали) . There were five hundred guards on each side(по каждую сторону = с обеих сторон /от меня/ были = стояли /по/ пятисот часовых; guard – охрана, защита; часовой; караульный; конвоир ) , half with torches(половина с факелами) , half with bows and arrows(/другая/ половина с луками и стрелами) , ready to shoot me if I moved(готовые стрелять в меня, если я двинусь) . We continued our march the next morning at sunrise(мы продолжили наш поход на следующее утро с восходом солнца; sun – солнце; rise – подъем; восход ) , and arrived at the city gates about noon(и прибыли к городским воротам около полудня) . The Emperor and all his Court came out to meet us(император и весь его двор вышли нам навстречу: «встречать нас»).

I was told all this later, for I lay in a deep sleep it was happening. Fifteen hundred of the Emperor’s largest horses, each about four and a half inches high, then pulled me towards the city.

We marched for a long time that day and rested at night. There were five hundred guards on each side, half with torches, half with bows and arrows, ready to shoot me if I moved. We continued our march the next morning at sunrise, and arrived at the city gates about noon. The Emperor and all his Court came out to meet us.