"It but remains for this council to command (этому совету остается лишь повелеть), and Tal Hajus must prove his fitness to rule (и Тал Хаджус должен будет доказать свою способность править). Were he a brave man he would invite Tars Tarkas to combat (если бы он был храбрым человеком, то он вызвал бы Тарса Таркаса на бой), for he does not love him (потому что он не любит его), but Tal Hajus is afraid; Tal Hajus, your jeddak, is a coward (но Тал Хаджус боится, ваш джеддак — трус). With my bare hands I could kill him, and he knows it (я мог бы убить его голыми руками, и он знает это)."
After I ceased there was tense silence (когда я умолк, воцарилось напряженное молчание), as all eyes were riveted upon Tal Hajus (так как глаза всех обратились к Тал Хаджусу;
afraid [q'freId], rivet ['rIvIt], blotchy ['blOtSI]
"It but remains for this council to command, and Tal Hajus must prove his fitness to rule. Were he a brave man he would invite Tars Tarkas to combat, for he does not love him, but Tal Hajus is afraid; Tal Hajus, your jeddak, is a coward. With my bare hands I could kill him, and he knows it."
After I ceased there was tense silence, as all eyes were riveted upon Tal Hajus. He did not speak or move, but the blotchy green of his countenance turned livid, and the froth froze upon his lips.
"Tal Hajus," said Lorquas Ptomel in a cold, hard voice (сказал Лорквас Птомель холодным, жестким голосом), "never in my long life have I seen a jeddak of the Tharks so humiliated (никогда за свою долгую жизнь я не видел, чтобы джеддака тарков так унизили). There could be but one answer to this arraignment (может быть только один ответ на это обвинение;
"Chieftains," continued Lorquas Ptomel, "shall the jeddak, Tal Hajus, prove his fitness to rule over Tars Tarkas (должен ли джеддак, Тал Хаджус, доказать свою способность властвовать над Тарсом Таркасом;
There were twenty chieftains about the rostrum (было около двадцати вождей вокруг возвышения), and twenty swords flashed high in assent (и двадцать мечей взметнулись вверх, выражая согласие).
There was no alternative (выбора не было). That decree was final (это решение было окончательным), and so Tal Hajus drew his long-sword and advanced to meet Tars Tarkas (и поэтому Тал Хаджус вытащил свой длинный меч и двинулся навстречу Тарсу Таркасу).
arraignment [q'reInmqnt], rostrum ['rOstrqm], alternative [O: l'tWnqtIv]
"Tal Hajus," said Lorquas Ptomel in a cold, hard voice, "never in my long life have I seen a jeddak of the Tharks so humiliated. There could be but one answer to this arraignment. We wait it." And still Tal Hajus stood as though electrified.
"Chieftains," continued Lorquas Ptomel, "shall the jeddak, Tal Hajus, prove his fitness to rule over Tars Tarkas?"
There were twenty chieftains about the rostrum, and twenty swords flashed high in assent.
There was no alternative. That decree was final, and so Tal Hajus drew his long-sword and advanced to meet Tars Tarkas.