Хоббит
Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire
Goblinsarenotafraidoffire,andtheysoonhadaplanwhichseemedtothemmostamusing.Somegotallthewolvestogetherinapack.Somestackedfernandbrushwoodroundthetree-trunks.Othersrushedroundandstampedandbeat,andbeatandstamped,untilnearlyalltheflameswereputout-buttheydidnotputoutthefirenearesttothetreeswherethedwarveswere.Thatfiretheyfedwithleavesanddeadbranchesandbracken.Soontheyhadaringofsmokeandflameallroundthedwarves,aringwhichtheykeptfromspreadingoutwards;butitclosedslowlyin,tilltherunningfirewaslickingthefuelpiledunderthetrees.SmokewasinBilbo’seyes,hecouldfeeltheheatoftheflames;andthroughthereekhecouldseethegoblinsdancingroundandroundinacirclelikepeopleroundamidsummerbonfire.Outsidetheringofdancingwarriorswithspearsandaxesstoodthewolvesatarespectfuldistance,watchingandwaiting.
Hecouldhearthegoblinsbeginningahorriblesong:
"Fifteenbirdsinfivefirtrees,theirfeatherswerefannedinafierybreeze!
But,funnylittlebirds,theyhadnowings!
Owhatshallwedowiththefunnylittlethings?
Roast’emalive,orstewtheminapot,frythem,boilthemandeatthemhot?"
Thentheystoppedandshoutedout:"Flyawaylittlebirds!Flyawayifyoucan!Comedownlittlebirds,oryouwillgetroastedinyournests!Sing,singlittlebirds!Whydon’tyousing?"
"Goaway!littleboys!"shoutedGandalfinanswer."Itisn’tbird-nestingtime.Alsonaughtylittleboysthatplaywithfiregetpunished."
