Властелин колец: Братство кольца

           Buttherewasalsoagenerousdistributionofsquibs,crackers,backarappers,sparklers,torches,dwarf-candles,elf-fountains,goblin-barkersandthunder-claps.Theywereallsuperb.TheartofGandalfimprovedwithage.

           Therewererocketslikeaflightofscintillatingbirdssingingwithsweetvoices.Thereweregreentreeswithtrunksofdarksmoke:theirleavesopenedlikeawholespringunfoldinginamoment,andtheirshiningbranchesdroppedglowingflowersdownupontheastonishedhobbits,disappearingwithasweetscentjustbeforetheytouchedtheirupturnedfaces.Therewerefountainsofbutterfliesthatflewglitteringintothetrees;therewerepillarsofcolouredfiresthatroseandturnedintoeagles,orsailingships,oraphalanxofflyingswans;therewasaredthunderstormandashowerofyellowrain;therewasaforestofsilverspearsthatsprangsuddenlyintotheairwithayelllikeanembattledarmy,andcamedownagainintotheWaterwithahisslikeahundredhotsnakes.Andtherewasalsoonelastsurprise,inhonourofBilbo,anditstartledthehobbitsexceedingly,asGandalfintended.Thelightswentout.Agreatsmokewentup.Itshapeditselflikeamountainseeninthedistance,andbegantoglowatthesummit.Itspoutedgreenandscarletflames.Outflewared-goldendragon—notlife-size,butterriblylife-like:firecamefromhisjaws,hiseyesglareddown;therewasaroar,andhewhizzedthreetimesovertheheadsofthecrowd.Theyallducked,andmanyfellflatontheirfaces.Thedragonpassedlikeanexpresstrain,turnedasomersault,andburstoverBywaterwithadeafeningexplosion.

           ’Thatisthesignalforsupper!’saidBilbo.Thepainandalarmvanishedatonce,andtheprostratehobbitsleapedtotheirfeet.Therewasasplendidsupperforeveryone;foreveryone,thatis,exceptthoseinvitedtothespecialfamilydinner-party.Thiswasheldinthegreatpavilionwiththetree.