Английский с Оскаром Уайльдом. Кентервильское привидение / Oscar Wilde. The Canterville Ghost

“Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses waving above one’s head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the portals of death’s house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is.”

Virginia trembled (Вирджиния задрожала), a cold shudder ran through her (холодный озноб пробежал по ней), and for a few moments there was silence (и в течение нескольких секунд /стояла/ тишина). She felt as if she was in a terrible dream (она чувствовала себя так, как будто находилась в ужасном сне).

Then the ghost spoke again (затем призрак заговорил снова), and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind (и его голос звучал как дуновение ветра; sigh – вздох; to sigh – вздыхать).

“Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window (ты когда-нибудь читала старое предсказание на окне библиотеки)?”

Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few moments there was silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream.

Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighing of the wind.

“Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?”

“Oh, often (о, часто),” cried the little girl, looking up (воскликнула девочка, подняв вверх глаза); “I know it quite well (я знаю его довольно хорошо). It is painted in curious black letters (оно написано любопытными/странными черными буквами), and is difficult to read (и его трудно читать). There are only six lines (там только шесть строчек):

“ ‘When a golden girl can win
(когда золотоволосая девочка сможет добиться)
Prayer from out the lips of sin
(молитвы с губ грешника: «греха»),
When the barren almond bears
(когда зацветет бесплодный миндаль),
And a little child gives away its tears
(и дитя даст волю слезам: «отдаст свои слезы»),
Then shall all the house be still
(тогда весь дом затихнет)
And peace come to Canterville
(и покой придет в Кентервиль).’
But I don’t know what they mean
(но я не знаю, что они означают).”

“Oh, often,” cried the little girl, looking up; “I know it quite well. It is painted in curious black letters, and is difficult to read. There are only six lines:

“ ‘When a golden girl can win
Prayer from out the lips of sin,
When the barren almond bears,
And a little child gives away its tears,
Then shall all the house be still
And peace come to Canterville.’
But I don’t know what they mean.”