jrt.the hobbit-第44章

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　Bilbo　knelt　on　one　knee　filled　with　sorrow。　〃Farewell；　King　under　the
　Mountain！〃　he　said。　〃This　is　a　bitter　adventure；　if　it　must　end　so；　and　not　a　mountain　of　gold　can　amend　it。　Yet　I　am　glad　that　I　have　shared　in　your　perils　…　that　has　been　more　than　any　Baggins　deserves。〃
　〃No！〃　said　Thorin。　〃There　is　more　in　you　of　good　than　you　know；　child　of　the　kindly　West。　Some　courage　and　some　wisdom；　blended　in　measure。　If　more　of　us　valued　food　and　cheer　and　song　above　hoarded　gold；　it　would　be　a　merrier　world。　But　sad　or　merry；　I　must　leave　it　now。　Farewell！〃　Then　Bilbo　turned　away；　and　he　went　by　himself；　and　sat　alone　wrapped　in　a　blanket；　and；　whether　you　believe　it　or　not；　he　wept　until　his　eyes　were　red　and　his　voice　was　hoarse。　He　was　a　kindly　little　soul。　Indeed　it　was　long　before　he　had　the　heart　to　make　a　joke　again。　〃A　mercy　it　is；〃　he　said　at　last　to　himself；　〃that　I　woke　up　when　I　did。　I　wish　Thorin　were　living；　but　I　am　glad　that　we　parted　in　kindness。　You　are　a　fool；　Bilbo　Baggins；　and　you　made　a　great　mess　of　that　business　with　the　stone；　and　there　was　a　battle；　in　spite　of　all　your　efforts　to　buy　peace　and　quiet；　but　I　suppose　you　can　hardly　be　blamed　for　that。〃
　All　that　had　happened　after　he　was　stunned；　Bilbo　learned　later；　but　it　gave　him　more　sorrow　than　joy；　and　he　was　now　weary　of　his　adventure。　He　was　aching　in　his　bones　for　the　homeward　journey。　That；　however；　was　a　little　delayed；　so　in　the　meantime　I　will　tell　something　of　events。　The　Eagles　had　long　had　suspicion　of　the　goblins'　mustering；　from　their　watchfulness　the　movements　in　the　mountains　could　not　be　altogether　hid。　So　they　too　had　gathered　in　great　numbers；　under　the　great　Eagle　of　the　Misty　Mountains；　and　at　length　smelling　battle　from　afar　they　had　e　speeding　down　the　gale　in　the　nick　of　time。　They　it　was　who　dislodged　the　goblins　from　the　mountain…slopes；　casting　them　over　precipices；　or　driving　them　down　shrieking　and　bewildered　among　their　foes。　It　was　not　long　before　they　had　freed　the　Lonely　Mountain；　and　elves　and　men　on　either　side　of　the　valley　could　e　at　last　to　the　help　of　the　battle　below。
　But　even　with　the　Eagles　they　were　still　outnumbered。　　In　that　last　hour　Beorn　himself　had　appeared　…　no　one　knew　how　or　from　where。　He　came　alone；　and　in　bear's　shape；　and　he　seemed　to　have　grown　almost　to　giant…size　in　his　wrath。　The　roar　of　his　voice　was　like　drums　and　guns；　and　he　tossed　wolves　and　goblins　from　his　path　like　straws　and　feathers。　He　fell　upon　their　rear；　and　broke　like　a　clap　of　thunder　through　the　ring。　The　dwarves　were　making　a　stand　still　about　their　lords　upon　a　low　rounded　hill。　　Then　Beorn　stooped　and　lifted　Thorin；　who　had　fallen　pierced　with　spears；　and　bore　him　out　of　the　fray。　Swiftly　he　returned　and　his　wrath　was　redoubled；　so　that　nothing　could　withstand　him；　and　no　weapon　seemed　to　bite　upon　him。　He　scattered　the　bodyguard；　and　pulled　down　Bolg　himself　and　crushed　him。　Then　dismay　fell　on　the　Goblins　and　they　fled　in　all　directions。　But　weariness　left　their　enemies　with　the　ing　of　new　hope；　and　they　pursued　them　closely；　and　prevented　most　of　them　from　escaping　where　they　could。　They　drove　many　of　them　into　the　Running　River；　and　such　as　fled　south　or　west　they　hunted　into　the　marshes　about　the　Forest　River；　and　there　the　greater　part　of　the　last　fugitives　perished；　while　those　that　came　hardly　to　the　Wood…elves'　realm　were　there　slain；　or　drawn　in　to　die　in　the　trackless　dark　of　Mirkwood。　Songs　have　said　that　three　parts　of　the　goblin　warriors　of　the　North　perished　on　that　day；　and　the　mountains　had　peace　for　many　a　year。
　Victory　had　been　assured　before　the　fall　of　night；　but　the　pursuit　was　still　on　foot；　when　Bilbo　returned　to　the　camp；　and　not　many　were　in　the　valley　save　the　more　grievously　wounded。
　〃Where　are　the　Eagles？〃　he　asked　Gandalf　that　evening；　as　he　lay　wrapped　in　many　warm　blankets。
　〃Some　are　in　the　hunt；〃　said　the　wizard；　〃but　most　have　gone　back　to　their　eyries。　They　would　not　stay　here；　and　departed　with　the　first　light　of　morning。　Dain　has　crowned　their　chief　with　gold；　and　sworn　friendship　with　them　for　ever。〃
　〃I　am　sorry。　I　mean；　I　should　have　liked　to　see　them　again；〃　said　Bilbo　sleepily；　〃perhaps　I　shall　see　them　on　the　way　home。　I　suppose　I　shall　be　going　home　soon？〃
　〃As　soon　as　you　like；〃　said　the　wizard。
　Actually　it　was　some　days　before　Bilbo　really　set　out。　　They　buried　Thorin　deep　beneath　the　Mountain；　and　Bard　laid　the　Arkenstone　upon　his　breast。
　〃There　let　it　lie　till　the　Mountain　falls！〃　he　said。　〃May　it　bring　good　fortune　to　all　his　folk　that　dwell　here　after！〃　Upon　his　tomb　the　Elvenking　then　laid　Orcrist；　the　elvish　sword　that　had　been　taken　from　Thorin　in　captivity。　It　is　said　in　songs　that　it　gleamed　ever　in　the　dark　if　foes　approached；　and　the　fortress　of　the　dwarves　could　not　be　taken　by　surprise。　　There　now　Dain　son　of　Nain　took　up　his　abode；　and　he　became　King　under　the　Mountain；　and　in　time　many　other　dwarves　gathered　to　his　throne　in　the　ancient　halls。　Of　the　twelve　panions　of　Thorin；　ten　remained。　Fili　and　Kili　had　fallen　defending　him　with　shield　and　body；　for　he　was　their　mother's　elder　brother。　The　others　remained　with　Dain；　for　Dain　dealt　his　treasure　well。　　There　was；　of　course；　no　longer　any　question　of　dividing　the　hoard　in　such　shares　as　had　been　planned；　to　Balin　and　Dwalin；　and　Dori　and　Nori　and　Ori；　and　Oin　and　Gloin；　and　Bifur　and　Bofur　and　Bombur…or　to　Bilbo。　Yet　a　fourteenth　share　of　all　the　silver　and　gold；　wrought　and　unwrought；　was　given　up　to　Bard；　for　Dain　said：　〃We　will　honour　the　agreement　of　the　dead；　and　he　has　now　the　Arkenstone　in　his　keeping。〃
　Even　a　fourteenth　share　was　wealth　exceedingly　great；　greater　than　that　of　many　mortal　kings。　From　that　treasure　Bard　sent　much　gold　to　the　Master　of　Lake…town；　and　he　rewarded　his　followers　and　friends　freely。　To　the　Elvenking　he　gave　the　emeralds　of　Girion；　such　jewels　as　he　most　loved；　which　Dain　had　restored　to　him。　To　Bilbo　he　said：　〃This　treasure　is　as　much　yours　as　it　is　mine；　though　old　agreements　cannot　stand；　since　so　many　have　a　claim　in　its　winning　and　defence。　Yet　even　though　you　were　willing　to　lay　aside　all　your　claim；　I　should　wish　that　the　words　of　Thorin；　of　which　he　repented；　should　not　prove　true：　that　we　should　give　you　little。　I　would　reward　you　most　richly　of　all。〃
　〃Very　kind　of　you；〃　said　Bilbo。　〃But　really　it　is　a　relief　to　me。　How　on　earth　should　I　have　got　all　that　treasure　home　without　war　and　murder　all　along　the　way；　I　don't　know。　And　I　don't　know　what　I　should　have　done　with　it　when　I　got　home。　I　am　sure　it　is　better　in　your　hands。〃　In　the　end　he　would　only　take　two　small　chests；　one　filled　with　silver；　and　the　other　with　gold；　such　as　one　strong　pony　could　carry。　〃That　will　be　quite　as　much　as　I　can　manage；〃　said　he。
　At　last　the　time　came　for　him　to　say　good…bye　to　his　friends。　〃Farewell；　Balin！〃　he　said；　〃and　farewell；　Dwalin；　and　farewell　Dori；　Nori；　Ori；　Oin；　Gloin；　Bifur；　Bofur；　and　Bombur！　May　your　beards　never　grow　thin！〃　And　turning　towards　the　Mountain　he　added：　〃Farewell　Thorin　Oakenshield！　And　Fili　and　Kili！　May　your　memory　never　fade！〃
　Then　the　dwarves　bowed　low　before　their　Gate；　but　words　stuck　in　their　throats。　〃Good…bye　and　good　luck；　wherever　you　fare！〃　said　Balin　at　last。　〃If　ever　you　visit　us　again；　when　our　halls　are　made　fair　once　more；　then　the　feast　shall　indeed　be　splendid！〃
　〃If　ever　you　are　passing　my　way；〃　said　Bilbo；　〃don't　wait　to　knock！　Tea　is　at　four；　but　any　of　you　are　wele　at　any　time！〃
　Then　he　turned　away。
　The　elf…host　was　on　the　march；。　and　if　it　was　sadly　lessened；　yet　many　were　glad；　for　now　the　northern　world　would　be　merrier　for　many　a　long　day。　　The　dragon　was　dead；　and　the　goblins　overthrown；　and　their　hearts　looked　forward　after　winter　to　a　spring　of　joy。　Gandalf　and　Bilbo　rode　behind　the　Elvenking；　and　beside　them　strode　Beorn；　once　again　in　man's　shape；　and　he　laughed　and　sang　in　a　loud　voice　upon　the　road。　So　they　went　on　until　they　drew　near　to　the　borders　of　Mirkwood；　to　the　north　of　the　place　where　the　Forest　River　ran　out。
　Then　they　halted；　for　the　wizard　and　Bilbo　would　not　enter　the　wood；　even　though　the　king　bade　them　stay　a　while　in　his　halls。　They　intended　to　go　along　the　edge　of　the　forest；　and　round　its　northern　end　in　the　waste　that　lay　between　it　and　the　beginning　of　the　Grey　Mountains。　It　was　a　long　and　cheerless　road；　but　now　that　the　goblins　were　crushed；　it　seemed　safer　to　them　than　the　dreadful　pathways　under　the　trees。　Moreover　Beorn　was　going　that　way　too。
　〃Farewell！　O　Elvenking！〃　said　Gandalf。　〃Merry　be　the　greenwood；　while　the　world　is　yet　young！　And　merry　be　all　your　folk！〃
　〃Farewell！　O　Gandalf！〃　said　the　king。　〃May　you　ever　appear　where　you　are　most　needed　and　least　expected！　The　oftener　you　appear　in　my　halls　the　better　shall　I　be　pleased！〃
　〃I　beg　of　you；〃　said　Bilbo　stammering　and　standing　on　one　foot；　〃to　accept　this　gift！〃　and　he　brought　out　a　necklace　of　silver　and　pearls　that　Dain　had　given　him　at　their　parting。
　〃In　what　way　have　I　earned　such　a　gift；　O　hobbit？〃　said　the　king。　　〃Well；　er；　I　thought；　don't　you　know；〃　said　Bilbo　rather　confused；　〃that；　er；　some　little　return　should　be　made　for　your；　er；　hospitality。　I　mean　even　a　burglar　has　his　feelings。　I　have　drunk　much　of　your　wine　and　eaten　much　of　your　bread。〃
　〃I　will　take　your　gift；　O　Bilbo　the　Magnificent！〃　said　the　king　gravely。　　〃And　I　name　you　elf…friend　and　blessed。　May　your　shadow　never　grow　less　（or　stealing　would　be　too　easy）！　Farewell！〃
　Then　the　elves　turned　towards　the　Forest；　and　Bilbo　started　on　his　long　road　home。
　He　had　many　hardships　and　adventures　before　he　got　back。　The　Wild　was　still　the　Wild；　and　there　were　many　other　things　in　it　in　those　days　besides　goblins；　but　he　was　well　guided　and　well　guarded…the　wizard　was　with　him；　and　Beorn　for　much　of　the　way…and　he　was　never　in　great　danger　again。　Anyway　by　mid…winter　Gandalf　and　Bilbo　had　e　all　the　way　back；　along　both　edges　of　the　Forest；　to　the　doors　of　Beorn's　house；　and　there　for　a　while　they　both　stayed。　Yule…tide　was　warm　and　merry　there；　and　men　came　from　far　and　wide　to　feast　at　Beorn's　bidding。　The　goblins　of　the　Misty　Mountains　were　now　few　and　terrified；　and　hidden　in　the　deepest　holes　they　could　find；　and　the　Wargs　had　vanished　from　the　woods；　so　that　men　went　abroad　without　fear。　Beorn　indeed　became　a　great　chief　afterwards　in　those　regions　and　ruled　a　wide　land　between　the　mountains　and　the　wood；　and　it　is　said　that　for　many　generations　the　men　of　his　line　had　the　power　of　taking　bear's　shape；　and　some　were　grim　men　and　bad；　but　most　were　in　heart　like　Beorn；　if　less　in　size　and　strength。　In　their　day　the　last　goblins　were　hunted　from　the　Misty　Mountains　and　a　new　peace　came　over　the　edge　of　the　Wild。　It　was　spring；　and　a　fair　one　with　mild　weathers　and　a　bright　sun；　before　Bilbo　and　Gandalf　took　their　leave　at　last　of　Beorn；　and　though　he　longed　for　home。　Bilbo　left　with　regret；　for　the　flowers　of　the　gardens　of　Beorn　were　m　springtime　no　less　marvellous　than　in　high　summer。　At　last　they　came　up　the　long　road；　and　reached　the　very　pass　where　the　goblins　had　captured　them　before。　But　they　came　to　that　high　point　at　morning；　and　looking　backward　they　saw　a　white　sun　shining　over　the　out…stretched　lands。　　There　behin