Хоббит

           Andhewasamiserablewickedcreature,andalreadyhehadaplan.Notfarawaywashisisland,ofwhichBilboknewnothing,andthereinhishiding-placehekeptafewwretchedoddments,andoneverybeautifulthing,verybeautiful,verywonderful.Hehadaring,agoldenring,apreciousring.

           "Mybirthday-present!"hewhisperedtohimself,ashehadoftendoneintheendlessdarkdays."That’swhatwewantsnow,yes;wewantsit!"Hewanteditbecauseitwasaringofpower,andifyouslippedthatringonyourfinger,youwereinvisible;onlyinthefullsunlightcouldyoubeseen,andthenonlybyyourshadow,andthatwouldbeshakyandfaint."Mybirthday-present!Itcametomeonmybirthday,myprecious,"Sohehadalwayssaidtohimself.ButwhoknowshowGollumcamebythatpresent,agesagointheolddayswhensuchringswerestillatlargeintheworld?PerhapseventheMasterwhoruledthemcouldnothavesaid.Gollumusedtowearitatfirst,tillittiredhim;andthenhekeptitinapouchnexthisskin,tillitgalledhim;andnowusuallyhehiditinaholeintherockonhisisland,andwasalwaysgoingbacktolookatit.Andstillsometimesheputiton,whenhecouldnotbeartobepartedfromitanylonger,orwhenhewasvery,very,hungry,andtiredoffish.Thenhewouldcreepalongdarkpassageslookingforstraygoblins.Hemightevenventureintoplaceswherethetorcheswerelitandmadehiseyesblinkandsmart;forhewouldbesafe.Ohyes,quitesafe.Noonewouldseehim,noonewouldnoticehim,tillhehadhisfingersontheirthroat.Onlyafewhoursagohehadwornit,andcaughtasmallgoblin-imp.Howitsqueaked!Hestillhadaboneortwolefttognaw,buthewantedsomethingsofter.

           "Quitesafe,yes,"hewhisperedtohimself."Itwon’tseeus,willit,myprecious?No.Itwon’tseeus,anditsnasstylittleswordwillbeuseless,yesquite."