Chapter 1
1 Amerigo Bonasera sat in New York Criminal Court (в уголовном суде) Number 3
and waited for justice (ждал правосудия); vengeance (мести [‘vendG*ns]) on the men
who had so cruelly hurt his daughter (жестоко надругались; to hurt * ранить), who had
tried to dishonor her (обесчестить).
2 The judge, a formidably heavy-featured man (очень крупный человек с грубыми:
«тяжелыми» чертами лица), rolled up the sleeves (засучил рукава) of his black robe
as if to physically chastise (словно для того, чтобы физически покарать [t*ж’staэz])
the two young men standing before the bench (перед скамьей /подсудимых/). His face
was cold with majestic contempt (от величественного презрения). But there was
something false in all this that Amerigo Bonasera sensed but did not yet understand.
3 "You acted like the worst kind of degenerates," the judge said harshly (жестким
голосом; degenerate [dэ’dGen*rэt]). Yes, yes, thought Amerigo Bonasera. Animals.
Animals. The two young men, glossy hair crew cut (с блестящими волосами, коротко
подстриженными; crew cut – подстриженный ежиком), scrubbed clean-cut faces (с
гладко выбритыми лицами; to scrub – мыть, скрести) composed into humble
contrition (принявшими: «сложенными в» смиренное, самоуничижительное
выражение; contrite * кающийся), bowed their heads in submission (покорно: «в
покорности»).
4 The judge went on. "You acted like wild beasts in a jungle and you are fortunate you
did not sexually molest that poor girl (ваше счастье, что вы не изнасиловали; to
olest – приставать; сексуально домогаться) or I'd put you behind bars (за решетку)
for twenty years." The judge paused, his eyes beneath impressively thick brows (под
выразительно густыми бровями) flickered slyly (хитро блеснули) toward the sallow-
faced (в сторону мрачного: «с бледноватым, желтоватым лицом») Amerigo
Bonasera, then lowered to a stack of probation reports before him (к стопке, кипе
протоколов с просьбами об условном освобождении; probation – условное
освобождение, испытательный срок; report * сообщение). He frowned (нахмурился)
and shrugged (пожал плечами) as if convinced against his own natural desire (словно
убежденный против своего собственного естественного желания). He spoke again.
5 "But because of your youth, your clean records (безукоризненное прошлое; record
– запись, свидетельство), because of your fine families, and because the law in its
majesty (закон в своем величии) does not seek vengeance (не ищет мести), I hereby
sentence you (я этим приговариваю вас) to three years' confinement (заключения) to
the penitentiary (в /каторжной/ тюрьме [penэ’ten**rэ]). Sentence to be suspended
(условно; to suspend * приостанавливать)."
6 Only forty years of professional mourning (профессионального траура; to mourn
[mo:n] – скорбеть) kept the overwhelming frustration and hatred from showing
(воспрепятствовали всеохватному отчаянию и ненависти показаться; to overwhelm
* захватывать) on Amerigo Bonasera's face. His beautiful young daughter was still in
the hospital with her broken jaw (со сломанной челюстью) wired together
(скрепленной проволокой); and now these two animales (звери – итал.) went free* It
had all been a farce. He watched the happy parents cluster around their darling sons
(как обступили; cluster – кисть, пучок, гроздь). Oh, they were all happy now, they
were smiling now.
7 The black bile (черная желчь), sourly bitter (кисло горькая), rose in Bonasera's
throat, overflowed through tightly clenched teeth (перелилась, вылилась через тесно
стиснутые зубы). He used his white linen pocket handkerchief (льняной носовой
платок) and held it against his lips. He was standing so when the two young men strode
freely up the aisle (прошагали в направлении к выходу: «по проходу, в боковом
крыле зала»; to stride), confident (уверенно) and cool-eyed, smiling, not giving him so
much as a glance (даже не взглянув на него). He let them pass (дал им пройти)
without saying a word, pressing the fresh linen against his mouth.
8 The parents of the animales were coming by now, two men and two women his age
(его возраста) but more American in their dress. They glanced at him, shamefaced
(стыдливо), yet in their eyes was an odd, triumphant defiance (странный,
триумфальный вызов).
9 Out of control (потеряв самообладание), Bonasera leaned forward (наклонился
вперед) toward the aisle and shouted hoarsely (прокричал грубо), "You will weep as I
have wept * I will make you weep as your children make me weep" * the linen at his
eyes now. The defense attorneys (адвокаты защиты [*’t*:nэ]) bringing up the rear
(замыкая движение; rear – тыл; зад) swept their clients forward in tight little band
(подталкивали своих клиентов вперед компактной: «сжатой» маленькой кучкой),
enveloping (окружая: «окутывая») the two young men, who had started back down the
aisle as if to protect their parents. A huge bailiff (служащий суда) moved quickly to
block the row (заблокировать, перекрыть ряд) in which Bonasera stood. But it was not
necessary.
10 All his years in America, Amerigo Bonasera had trusted in law and order. And he
had prospered thereby (и потому: «при этом, через это» процветал). Now, though his
brain smoked with hatred, though wild visions (видения) of buying a gun and killing the
two young men jangled the very bones of his skull (отдались в самих костях = даже в
костях его черепа; to jangle – звякать), Bonasera turned to his still uncomprehending
wife (к своей до сих пор ничего не понявшей жене) and explained to her, "They have
made fools of us (они оставили нас в дураках, поиздевались над нами)." He paused
and then made his decision (решение), no longer fearing the cost (больше не боясь
цены /которую за это придется заплатить/). "For justice we must go on our knees (за
справедливостью мы на коленях поползем) to Don Corleone."
1 Amerigo Bonasera sat in New York Criminal Court Number 3 and waited for
justice; vengeance on the men who had so cruelly hurt his daughter, who had
tried to dishonor her.
2 The judge, a formidably heavy-featured man, rolled up the sleeves of his black
robe as if to physically chastise the two young men standing before the bench.
His face was cold with majestic contempt. But there was something false in all
this that Amerigo Bonasera sensed but did not yet understand.
3 "You acted like the worst kind of degenerates," the judge said harshly. Yes,
yes, thought Amerigo Bonasera. Animals. Animals. The two young men, glossy
hair crew cut, scrubbed clean-cut faces composed into humble contrition, bowed
their heads in submission.
4 The judge went on. "You acted like wild beasts in a jungle and you are
fortunate you did not sexually molest that poor girl or I'd put you behind bars for
twenty years." The judge paused, his eyes beneath impressively thick brows
flickered slyly toward the sallow-faced Amerigo Bonasera, then lowered to a
stack of probation reports before him. He frowned and shrugged as if convinced
against his own natural desire. He spoke again.
5 "But because of your youth, your clean records, because of your fine families,
and because the law in its majesty does not seek vengeance, I hereby sentence
you to three years' confinement to the penitentiary. Sentence to be suspended."
6 Only forty years of professional mourning kept the overwhelming frustration
and hatred from showing on Amerigo Bonasera's face. His beautiful young
daughter was still in the hospital with her broken jaw wired together; and now
these two animales went free* It had all been a farce. He watched the happy
parents cluster around their darling sons. Oh, they were all happy now, they were
smiling now.
7 The black bile, sourly bitter, rose in Bonasera's throat, overflowed through
tightly clenched teeth. He used his white linen pocket handkerchief and held it
against his lips. He was standing so when the two young men strode freely up the
aisle, confident and cool-eyed, smiling, not giving him so much as a glance. He
let them pass without saying a word, pressing the fresh linen against his mouth.
8 The parents of the animales were coming by now, two men and two women his
age but more American in their dress. They glanced at him, shamefaced, yet in
their eyes was an odd, triumphant defiance.
9 Out of control, Bonasera leaned forward toward the aisle and shouted hoarsely,
"You will weep as I have wept * I will make you weep as your children make me
weep" * the linen at his eyes now. The defense attorneys bringing up the rear
swept their clients forward in tight little band, enveloping the two young men,
who had started back down the aisle as if to protect their parents. A huge bailiff
moved quickly to block the row in which Bonasera stood. But it was not
necessary.
10 All his years in America, Amerigo Bonasera had trusted in law and order. And
he had prospered thereby. Now, though his brain smoked with hatred, though
wild visions of buying a gun and killing the two young men jangled the very
bones of his skull, Bonasera turned to his still uncomprehending wife and
explained to her, "They have made fools of us." He paused and then made his
6
decision, no longer fearing the cost. "For justice we must go on our knees to Don
Corleone."
1 In a garishly (роскошно, крикливо) decorated Los Angeles hotel suite, Johnny
Fontane was as jealously drunk (так же «ревниво пьян» = пьян из-за ревности) as
any ordinary husband. Sprawled (развалившись) on a red couch, he drank straight
(прямо) from the bottle of scotch in his hand, then washed the taste away by dunking
(макая) his mouth in a crystal bucket of ice cubes and water. It was four in the morning
and he was spinning drunken fantasies (плел = воображал пьяные фантазии) of
murdering his trampy wife (что он убивает свою гулящую жену; to tramp *
бродяжничать) when she got home, if she ever did come home (если вообще придет).
It was too late to call his first wife and ask about the kids and he felt funny about calling
any of his friends (ему было неловко, как-то не хотелось звонить кому-нибудь из
друзей) now that his career was plunging downhill (летела: «падала вниз; ныряла»
вниз по склону, с горки). There had been a time when they would have been delighted
(были бы в восторге), flattered (польщены) by his calling them at four in the morning
but now he bored them (он был им скучен = казался им занудой). He could even
smile a little to himself as he thought that on the way up (когда дело шло в гору)
Johnny Fontane's troubles had fascinated (привлекали, были интересны для) some
of the greatest female stars in America.
2 Gulping (потягивaя: «глотая») at his bottle of scotch, he heard finally his wife's key
in the door, but he kept drinking until she walked into the room and stood before him.
She was to him so very beautiful, the angelic face, soulful (живые, «одушевленные»)
violet eyes, the delicately fragile (нежно-хрупкое) but perfectly formed body. On the
screen her beauty was magnified, spiritualized (на экране ее красота была
возвеличенной, одухотворенной). A hundred million men all over the world were in
love with the face of Margot Ashton. And paid to see it on the screen.
3 "Where the hell were you*" Johnny Fontane asked.
4 "Out fucking (да потрахаться ходила)," she said.
5 She had misjudged his drunkenness (неверно оценила его опьянение = степень
его опьянения). He sprang over the cocktail table and grabbed her by the throat
(схватил за глотку). But close up to that magical face, the lovely violet eyes, he lost his
anger (утратил свою злобу) and became helpless again. She made the mistake of
smiling mockingly (насмешливо), saw his fist draw back (увидела, что он снова занес
кулак). She screamed, "Johnny, not in the face, I'm making a picture."
7
6 She was laughing. He punched her (ударил ее; to punch – ударить кулаком) in the
stomach and she fell to the floor. He fell on top of her. He could smell her fragrant
breath (ароматное, благоуханное дыхание) as she gasped for air (ловила ртом
воздух). He punched her on the arms and on the thigh muscles of her silky tanned legs
(шелковистых загорелых ног). He beat her as he had beaten snotty (сопливых)
smaller kids long ago when he had been a tough (крутым: «жестким, крепким»)
teenager in New York's Hell's Kitchen (в Адской Кухне = в одном из кварталов
бедноты). A painful punishment (болезненное наказание) that would leave no lasting
disfigurement of loosened teeth (никакого длящегося = надолго повреждения вроде
выбитого зуба) or broken nose.
7 But he was not hitting her hard enough. He couldn't. And she was giggling (хихикала)
at him. Spread-eagled (раскинувшись, распластавшись) on the floor, her brocaded
gown (платье с бархатной оторочкой, с бархатными нашивками; brocade [br*u’keэd])
hitched up (задранное) above her thighs, she taunted him (насмехалась над ним)
between giggles. "Come on, stick it in (воткни его). Stick it in, Johnny, that's what you
really want."
8 Johnny Fontane got up. He hated the woman on the floor but her beauty was a
magic shield. Margot rolled away (откатилась в сторону), and in a dancer's spring
(прыжком танцовщицы) was on her feet facing him (напротив него, перед ним). She
went into a childish mocking dance (она начала по-детски насмешливо
пританцовывать) and chanted (напевала), "Johnny never hurt me, Johnny never hurt
me." Then almost sadly (почти грустно, с досадой) with grave beauty (со строгой
красотой) she said, "You poor silly bastard (жалкий, глупый выродок), giving me
cramps (судороги /сводящие ноги/) like a kid. Ah, Johnny, you always will be a dumb
romantic guinea (тупым индюком, глупым романтичным итальяшкой; guinea-hen –
цесарка ['gэnэ]; /сленг, презрит./ итальяшка), you even make love like a kid. You still
think screwing is really like those dopey songs (глуповатые, жалкие, пошлые; dopey
также – находящийся под воздействием dope * наркотика) you used to sing." She
shook her head and said, "Poor Johnny. Good-bye, Johnny." She walked into the
bedroom and he heard her turn the key in the lock (в замке).
9 Johnny sat on the floor with his face in his hands. The sick, humiliating despair
overwhelmed him (унизительное, унижающее отчаяние одолевало, захлестывало
его). And then the gutter toughness (упрямство, крепость уличного мальчишки;
gutter – водосток, канава) that had helped him survive the jungle of Hollywood made
him pick up the phone and call for a car to take him to the airport. There was one
person who could save him. He would go back to New York. He would go back to the
one man with the power, the wisdom, he needed and a love he still trusted. His
Godfather Corleone.
1 In a garishly decorated Los Angeles hotel suite, Johnny Fontane was as
jealously drunk as any ordinary husband. Sprawled on a red couch, he drank
straight from the bottle of scotch in his hand, then washed the taste away by
dunking his mouth in a crystal bucket of ice cubes and water. It was four in the
morning and he was spinning drunken fantasies of murdering his trampy wife
when she got home, if she ever did come home. It was too late to call his first wife
and ask about the kids and he felt funny about calling any of his friends now that
his career was plunging downhill. There had been a time when they would have
been delighted, flattered by his calling them at four in the morning but now he
bored them. He could even smile a little to himself as he thought that on the way
up Johnny Fontane's troubles had fascinated some of the greatest female stars in
America.
2 Gulping at his bottle of scotch, he heard finally his wife's key in the door, but
he kept drinking until she walked into the room and stood before him. She was to
him so very beautiful, the angelic face, soulful violet eyes, the delicately fragile
but perfectly formed body. On the screen her beauty was magnified, spiritualized.
A hundred million men all over the world were in love with the face of Margot
Ashton. And paid to see it on the screen.
3 "Where the hell were you*" Johnny Fontane asked.
4 "Out fucking," she said.
5 She had misjudged his drunkenness. He sprang over the cocktail table and
grabbed her by the throat. But close up to that magical face, the lovely violet eyes,
he lost his anger and became helpless again. She made the mistake of smiling
mockingly, saw his fist draw back. She screamed, "Johnny, not in the face, I'm
making a picture."
6 She was laughing. He punched her in the stomach and she fell to the floor. He
fell on top of her. He could smell her fragrant breath as she gasped for air. He
punched her on the arms and on the thigh muscles of her silky tanned legs. He
beat her as he had beaten snotty smaller kids long ago when he had been a tough
teenager in New York's Hell's Kitchen. A painful punishment that would leave no
lasting disfigurement of loosened teeth or broken nose.
7 But he was not hitting her hard enough. He couldn't. And she was giggling at
him. Spread-eagled on the floor, her brocaded gown hitched up above her thighs,
she taunted him between giggles. "Come on, stick it in. Stick it in, Johnny, that's
what you really want."
8 Johnny Fontane got up. He hated the woman on the floor but her beauty was a
magic shield. Margot rolled away, and in a dancer's spring was on her feet facing
him. She went into a childish mocking dance and chanted, "Johnny never hurt me,
Johnny never hurt me." Then almost sadly with grave beauty she said, "You poor
silly bastard, giving me cramps like a kid. Ah, Johnny, you always will be a dumb
romantic guinea, you even make love like a kid. You still think screwing is really
like those dopey songs you used to sing." She shook her head and said, "Poor
Johnny. Good-bye, Johnny." She walked into the bedroom and he heard her turn
the key in the lock.
9 Johnny sat on the floor with his face in his hands. The sick, humiliating
despair overwhelmed him. And then the gutter toughness that had helped him
survive the jungle of Hollywood made him pick up the phone and call for a car to
take him to the airport. There was one person who could save him. He would go
back to New York. He would go back to the one man with the power, the wisdom,
he needed and a love he still trusted. His Godfather Corleone.
1 The baker, Nazorine, pudgy (коротенький и толстый /о человеке/; маленький и
плотный /о предмете/) and crusty (покрытый корочкой; раздражительный,
неприветливый, грубый) as his great Italian loaves (буханки), still dusty with flour (все
еще покрытый мучной пылью; dust – пыль; flour – мука [flau*]), scowled at his wife
(сердился, бросал сердитые взгляды, хмурился), his nubile (достигшую брачного
возраста, созревшую [‘nju:bэl]) daughter, Katherine, and his baker's helper, Enzo.
Enzo had changed into his prisoner-of-war uniform (переоделся в форму
военнопленного) with its green-lettered armband (с повязкой с зелеными буквами,
надписью) and was terrified (был в ужасе) that this scene would make him late
(заставит его опоздать) reporting (доложить /о себе/ = явиться) back to Governor's
Island. One of the many thousands of Italian Army prisoners paroled (освобожденный
условно [p*’r*ul]) daily to work in the American economy, he lived in constant fear (в
постоянном страхе) of that parole being revoked (отменено: «отозвано»). And so the
little comedy being played now (которая сейчас разыгрывалась) was, for him, a
serious business.
2 Nazorine asked fiercely (гневно), "Have you dishonored (обесчестил) my family*
Have you given my daughter a little package (сверточек) to remember you by now that
the war is over (теперь, когда война закончилась) and you know America will kick
your ass (пнет твой зад = выбросит тебя пинком под зад) back to your village full of
shit (в твою деревню, полную дерьма [‘vэlэdG]) in Sicily*"
3 Enzo, a very short (низкорослый), strongly built boy («сильно сложенный» парень),
put his hand over his heart and said almost in tears, yet cleverly (почти в слезах, но
разумно), "Padrone, I swear by the Holy Virgin (клянусь Святой Девой) I have never
taken advantage of your kindness (я никогда не злоупотреблял вашим
великодушием; advantage [*d’vб:ntэdG] – преимущество; выгода, польза; to take
advantage of – обмануть, перехитрить кого-либо; воспользоваться чем-либо). I love
your daughter with all respect. I ask for her hand with all respect. I know I have no right,
but if they send me back to Italy I can never come back to America. I will never be able
to marry Katherine."
4 Nazorine's wife, Filomena, spoke to the point (высказалась по сути, без дураков).
"Stop all this foolishness (прекрати все эти глупости)," she said to her pudgy husband.
"You know what you must do. Keep Enzo here, send him to hide (прятаться,
скрываться) with our cousins in Long Island." Katherine was weeping. She was already
plump (полной), homely (домашней, обычной = невзрачной) and sprouting a faint
moustache (с пробивающимися легкими усиками; to sprout – давать ростки; faint –
слабый, тусклый, нечеткий; moustache [m*’stб:*]). She would never get a husband as
handsome as Enzo, never find another man who touched her body in secret places with
such respectful love. "I'll go and live in Italy," she screamed at her father. "I'll run away if
you don't keep Enzo here."
5 Nazorine glanced at her shrewdly (взглянул на нее пронзительно, видящим
насквозь взглядом; shrewd – пронизывающий; проницательный). She was a "hot
number" (горячая штучка) this daughter of his. He had seen her brush her swelling
buttocks (как она терлась своими пухлыми, набухающими ягодицами) against
Enzo's front (о «перёд» Энцо) when the baker's helper squeezed (протиснулся)
behind her to fill the counter baskets (чтобы наполнить корзины для расфасовки)
with hot loaves from the oven (из печи [Лvn]). The young rascal's hot loaf would be in
her oven (горячий хлебец этого негодяя окажется в ее печке), Nazorine thought
lewdly (развязно, цинично; lewd – похотливый, непристойный; распутный), if proper
steps were not taken (если не будут предприняты надлежащие шаги). Enzo must be
kept in America and be made an American citizen (и сделан американским
11
гражданином [‘sэtэzn]). And there was only one man who could arrange such an affair
(уладить такое дело [*'reэndG]). The Godfather. Don Corleone.
1 The baker, Nazorine, pudgy and crusty as his great Italian loaves, still dusty
with flour, scowled at his wife, his nubile daughter, Katherine, and his baker's
helper, Enzo. Enzo had changed into his prisoner-of-war uniform with its green-
lettered armband and was terrified that this scene would make him late reporting
back to Governor's Island. One of the many thousands of Italian Army prisoners
paroled daily to work in the American economy, he lived in constant fear of that
parole being revoked. And so the little comedy being played now was, for him, a
serious business.
2 Nazorine asked fiercely, "Have you dishonored my family* Have you given my
daughter a little package to remember you by now that the war is over and you
know America will kick your ass back to your village full of shit in Sicily*"
3 Enzo, a very short, strongly built boy, put his hand over his heart and said
almost in tears, yet cleverly, "Padrone, I swear by the Holy Virgin I have never
taken advantage of your kindness. I love your daughter with all respect. I ask for
her hand with all respect. I know I have no right, but if they send me back to Italy I
can never come back to America. I will never be able to marry Katherine."
4 Nazorine's wife, Filomena, spoke to the point. "Stop all this foolishness," she
said to her pudgy husband. "You know what you must do. Keep Enzo here, send
him to hide with our cousins in Long Island." Katherine was weeping. She was
already plump, homely and sprouting a faint moustache. She would never get a
husband as handsome as Enzo, never find another man who touched her body in
secret places with such respectful love. "I'll go and live in Italy," she screamed at
her father. "I'll run away if you don't keep Enzo here."
5 Nazorine glanced at her shrewdly. She was a "hot number" this daughter of his.
He had seen her brush her swelling buttocks against Enzo's front when the
baker's helper squeezed behind her to fill the counter baskets with hot loaves
from the oven. The young rascal's hot loaf would be in her oven, Nazorine
thought lewdly, if proper steps were not taken. Enzo must be kept in America and
be made an American citizen. And there was only one man who could arrange
such an affair. The Godfather. Don Corleone.
1 All of these people and many others received engraved invitations (красиво
отпечатанные приглашения; to engrave – гравировать, вырезать /по камню,
дереву/) to the wedding (на свадьбу) of Miss Constanzia Corleone, to be celebrated
(которая должна была быть отпразднована) on the last Saturday in August 1945.
The father of the bride, Don Vito Corleone, never forgot his old friends and neighbors
though he himself now lived in a huge house on Long Island. The reception would be
held (прием будет проводиться) in that house and the festivities would go on all day (и
празднование будет продолжаться весь день; festivity [fes’tэvэtэ] – веселье;
праздник). There was no doubt it would be a momentous occasion (важное событие
(momentous [m*u'ment*s] – важный, весомый, влиятельный; occasion [*’keэG*n] –
возможность, случай; событие, происшествие). The war with the Japanese had just
ended so there would not be any nagging fear (так что не будет никакого мучающего,
докучающего страха; to nag * придираться, изводить; болеть, ныть) for their sons
fighting in the Army to cloud these festivities (омрачить = который бы омрачил). A
wedding was just what people needed to show their joy.
2 And so on that Saturday morning the friends of Don Corleone streamed out
(повалили) of New York City to do him honor. They bore cream-colored (кремового =
светло-желтого цвета) envelopes (конверты ['env*l*up]) stuffed with cash (набитые
наличными) as bridal gifts (в качестве свадебных подарков), no checks. Inside each
envelope a card established (устанавливала = сообщала о) the identity of the giver
and the measure (степень [‘meG*]) of his respect for the Godfather. A respect truly
earned (уважение подлинно заслуженное, заслуженно заработанное).
3 Don Vito Corleone was a man to whom everybody came for help, and never were
they disappointed (разочарованы). He made no empty promises (пустых обещаний;
promise [‘promэs]), nor the craven excuse (малодушную отговорку [‘kreэv*n]) that his
hands were tied by more powerful forces (связаны более могущественными силами)
in the world than himself. It was not necessary (необходимым [‘nesэs*rэ]) that he be
your friend, it was not even important (даже не было важно) that you had no means
(средств = возможностей) with which to repay him (отплатить). Only one thing was
required (требовалось). That you, you yourself, proclaim your friendship (заявлял о
своей дружбе, о своих дружеских чувствах /к нему/ [pr*'kleэm]). And then, no matter
(не важно) how poor or powerless (бессилен) the supplicant (проситель [‘sЛplэk*nt]),
Don Corleone would take that man's troubles to his heart (примет беды это человека к
сердцу = поможет ему). And he would let nothing stand in the way (не позволит
ничему встать на пути = помешать) to a solution of that man's woe (решению бед
того человека; woe [w*u] – горе, несчастья). His reward (награда [rэ’wo:d])*
Friendship, the respectful title of "Don," and sometimes the more affectionate salutation
(более сердечное приветствие [*'fek*nэt]) of "Godfather." And perhaps, to show
respect only, never for profit (никогда, вовсе не для пользы, прибыли), some humble
gift (простой, незатейливый; humble * смиренный) * a gallon of homemade wine or a
basket of peppered taralles specially baked to grace (чтобы украсить) his Christmas
table. It was understood (понималось = все понимали, конечно), it was mere good
manners (всего лишь вежливость: «хорошие манеры»), to proclaim that you were in
his debt (в долгу у него) and that he had the right to call upon you (прийти к тебе:
«навестить тебя) at any time to redeem (to redeem * возвращать, получать обратно;
искупать) your debt by some small service.
4 Now on this great day, his daughter's wedding day, Don Vito Corleone stood in the
doorway (на пороге, в дверях) of his Long Beach home to greet his guests, all of them
known (из которых он всех знал: «все из них знаемые»), all of them trusted (которым
он доверял). Many of them owed their good fortune (были обязаны своим успехом; to
owe [*u] – быть должным, в долгу) in life to the Don and on this intimate occasion felt
free to call him "Godfather" to his face. Even the people performing festal services
(исполняющие «праздничное обслуживание») were his friends. The bartender
(бармен) was an old comrade (приятель) whose gift was all the wedding liquors ([lэk*])
and his own expert skills («опытные» умения, навыки). The waiters (официанты)
were the friends of Don Corleone's sons. The food on the garden picnic tables had been
cooked by the Don's wife and her friends and the gaily festooned (весело наряженный
гирляндами; festoon – гирлянда, фестон) one-acre garden itself had been decorated
(был разукрашен) by the young girl-chums of the bride (подружками невесты; chum –
близкий друг, приятель).
5 Don Corleone received everyone (принимал всех [rэ’sэ:v]) * rich and poor, powerful
and humble * with an equal show of love (с одинаковым выражением любви ['эkw*l]).
He slighted no one (никому не выказал пренебрежения, никем не пренебрег, никого
не обидел). That was his character. And the guests so exclaimed (так восклицали
[эks'kleэm]) at how well he looked in his tux (= tuxedo [tЛk’sэd*u] * смокинг) that an
inexperienced observer (неопытный = сторонний наблюдатель; experience
[эks’pэ*rэ*ns] * опыт) might easily have thought (мог бы легко подумать) the Don
himself was the lucky groom (счастливый жених).
1 All of these people and many others received engraved invitations to the
wedding of Miss Constanzia Corleone, to be celebrated on the last Saturday in
August 1945. The father of the bride, Don Vito Corleone, never forgot his old
friends and neighbors though he himself now lived in a huge house on Long
Island. The reception would be held in that house and the festivities would go on
all day. There was no doubt it would be a momentous occasion. The war with the
Japanese had just ended so there would not be any nagging fear for their sons
fighting in the Army to cloud these festivities. A wedding was just what people
needed to show their joy.
2 And so on that Saturday morning the friends of Don Corleone streamed out of
New York City to do him honor. They bore cream-colored envelopes stuffed with
cash as bridal gifts, no checks. Inside each envelope a card established the
identity of the giver and the measure of his respect for the Godfather. A respect
truly earned.
3 Don Vito Corleone was a man to whom everybody came for help, and never
were they disappointed. He made no empty promises, nor the craven excuse that
his hands were tied by more powerful forces in the world than himself. It was not
necessary that he be your friend, it was not even important that you had no
means with which to repay him. Only one thing was required. That you, you
yourself, proclaim your friendship. And then, no matter how poor or powerless
the supplicant, Don Corleone would take that man's troubles to his heart. And he
would let nothing stand in the way to a solution of that man's woe. His reward*
Friendship, the respectful title of "Don," and sometimes the more affectionate
salutation of "Godfather." And perhaps, to show respect only, never for profit,
some humble gift * a gallon of homemade wine or a basket of peppered taralles
specially baked to grace his Christmas table. It was understood, it was mere good
manners, to proclaim that you were in his debt and that he had the right to call
upon you at any time to redeem your debt by some small service.
4 Now on this great day, his daughter's wedding day, Don Vito Corleone stood in
the doorway of his Long Beach home to greet his guests, all of them known, all of
them trusted. Many of them owed their good fortune in life to the Don and on this
intimate occasion felt free to call him "Godfather" to his face. Even the people
performing festal services were his friends. The bartender was an old comrade
whose gift was all the wedding liquors and his own expert skills. The waiters were
the friends of Don Corleone's sons. The food on the garden picnic tables had
15
been cooked by the Don's wife and her friends and the gaily festooned one-acre
garden itself had been decorated by the young girl-chums of the bride.
5 Don Corleone received everyone * rich and poor, powerful and humble * with
an equal show of love. He slighted no one. That was his character. And the
guests so exclaimed at how well he looked in his tux that an inexperienced
observer might easily have thought the Don himself was the lucky groom.
1 Standing at the door with him were two of his three sons. The eldest, baptized
(окрещенный) Santino but called Sonny by everyone except his father, was looked at
askance (наклонно, косо; неодобрительно, с подозрением [*s'kжns]) by the older
Italian men; with admiration by the younger. Sonny Corleone was tall for a first-
generation American (для американца первого поколения) of Italian parentage
(['pe*r*ntэdG] – происхождение), almost six feet, and his crop of bushy, curly hair
(шевелюра кудрявых волос; crop – шарообразное вздутие; верхняя часть
/например у растений/; урожай) made him look even taller. His face was that of a
gross Cupid (тучного; грубого Купидона), the features even (черты ровные =
правильные) but the bow-shaped lips (дугообразные губы) thickly sensual
(чувственные ['sensju*l]), the dimpled cleft chin (раздвоенный подбородок с ямочкой;
dimple – ямочка; cleft – расселина; расщепленный) in some curious way (неким
странным образом = создавали почему-то впечатление) obscene (/чего-то/
непристойного [ob'si:n]). He was built as powerfully as a bull (мощно, как бык) and it
was common knowledge (все знали: «это было общим знанием») that he was so
generously endowed by nature (так щедро одарен природой; to endow [эn’dau] –
наделять, одарять) that his martyred wife (жена-мученица) feared the marriage bed
as unbelievers once feared the rack (как неверующие некогда боялись дыбы). It was
whispered (шепотом поговаривали) that when as a youth he had visited houses of ill
fame (злачные места: «дома плохой репутации»), even the most hardened and
fearless putain (даже наиболее закаленные и бесстрашные шлюхи, путаны), after
an awed inspection (осмотрев с испугом, благоговением; to awe [o:] – вызывать
испуг, благоговение) of his massive organ, demanded double price (требовали
двойной оплаты). Here at the wedding feast, some young matrons, widehipped
(широкобедрые), wide-mouthed, measured (мерили, рассматривали [‘meG*]) Sonny
Corleone with coolly confident eyes (холодно-уверенными глазами). But on this
particular day (но именно в этот день: «в этот особенный, частный день») they were
wasting their time (напрасно тратили, теряли время). Sonny Corleone, despite the
16
presence of his wife (несмотря на присутствие) and three small children, had plans for
his sister's maid of honor (относительно подружки сестры /на свадьбе/: «почетной
девы»), Lucy Mancini. This young girl, fully aware (полностью сознающая /это/
[*'wе*]), sat at a garden table in her pink formal gown (в розовом парадном платье), a
tiara of flowers in her glossy (в блестящих) black hair. She had flirted with Sonny in the
past week of rehearsals (репетиций [rэ’h*:s*l]) and squeezed his hand that morning at
the altar. A maiden could do no more (для девицы это немало).
2 She did not care (ее не волновало: «не заботилась») that he would never be the
great man his father had proved to be (каким стал его отец: «доказал быть»). Sonny
Corleone had strength (силу), he had courage (смелость [‘kЛrэdG]). He was generous
(великодушный, добрый, щедрый [‘dGen*r*s]) and his heart was admitted (как было
признано, считалось; to admit – допускать, соглашаться; считать [*d'mэt]) to be as
big as his organ. Yet he did not have his father's humility (смирения) but instead a
quick, hot temper (темперамент, характер) that led him into errors of judgment
(вводил в «ошибки суждения»). Though he was a great help in his father's business,
there were many who doubted that he would become the heir to it (наследником [е*]).
3 The second son, Frederico, called Fred or Fredo, was a child every Italian prayed to
the saints for (о котором каждый итальянец молил святых = желал бы иметь).
Dutiful (исполнительный: «полный долга»; duty – долг, обязанность), loyal, always
at the service of his father, living with his parents at age thirty. He was short and burly
(плотный, крепкий, большой и сильный), not handsome but with the same Cupid
head of the family, the curly helmet of hair (шлем, каска) over the round face and
sensual bow-shaped lips. Only, in Fred, these lips were not sensual but granitelike
(словно высечены из гранита: «подобны граниту»). Inclined to dourness (склонный к
меланхолии, депрессии; dour [du*] – мрачный; строгий, суровый), he was still a
crutch to his father (все же был опорой; crutch – стойка, опора; костыль), never
disputed him, never embarrassed him (никогда не доставлял ему неприятностей, не
ставил его в неприятное положение; to embarass [эm’bжr*s] – затруднять, стеснять;
ставить в неудобное положение) by scandalous behavior with women (скандальным
поведением [bэ’heэvj*]; to behave [bэ’heэv] – вести себя). Despite all these virtues
(достоинства ['v*:tju:]) he did not have that personal magnetism, that animal force, so
necessary for a leader of men, and he too was not expected to inherit the family
business (не ожидалось = не предполагали, что унаследует [эn’herэt]).
17
1 Standing at the door with him were two of his three sons. The eldest, baptized
Santino but called Sonny by everyone except his father, was looked at askance
by the older Italian men; with admiration by the younger. Sonny Corleone was tall
for a first-generation American of Italian parentage, almost six feet, and his crop
of bushy, curly hair made him look even taller. His face was that of a gross Cupid,
the features even but the bow-shaped lips thickly sensual, the dimpled cleft chin
in some curious way obscene. He was built as powerfully as a bull and it was
common knowledge that he was so generously endowed by nature that his
martyred wife feared the marriage bed as unbelievers once feared the rack. It was
whispered that when as a youth he had visited houses of ill fame, even the most
hardened and fearless putain, after an awed inspection of his massive organ,
demanded double price. Here at the wedding feast, some young matrons,
widehipped, wide-mouthed, measured Sonny Corleone with coolly confident eyes.
But on this particular day they were wasting their time. Sonny Corleone, despite
the presence of his wife and three small children, had plans for his sister's maid
of honor, Lucy Mancini. This young girl, fully aware, sat at a garden table in her
pink formal gown, a tiara of flowers in her glossy black hair. She had flirted with
Sonny in the past week of rehearsals and squeezed his hand that morning at the
altar. A maiden could do no more.
2 She did not care that he would never be the great man his father had proved to
be. Sonny Corleone had strength, he had courage. He was generous and his heart
was admitted to be as big as his organ. Yet he did not have his father's humility
but instead a quick, hot temper that led him into errors of judgment. Though he
was a great help in his father's business, there were many who doubted that he
would become the heir to it.
3 The second son, Frederico, called Fred or Fredo, was a child every Italian
prayed to the saints for. Dutiful, loyal, always at the service of his father, living
with his parents at age thirty. He was short and burly, not handsome but with the
same Cupid head of the family, the curly helmet of hair over the round face and
sensual bow-shaped lips. Only, in Fred, these lips were not sensual but
granitelike. Inclined to dourness, he was still a crutch to his father, never
disputed him, never embarrassed him by scandalous behavior with women.
Despite all these virtues he did not have that personal magnetism, that animal
force, so necessary for a leader of men, and he too was not expected to inherit
the family business.
1 The third son, Michael Corleone, did not stand with his father and his two brothers
but sat at a table in the most secluded corner (в самом безлюдном уголке; to seclude
[sэ’klu:d] – отстранять, изолировать) of the garden. But even there he could not
escape the attentions (избежать знаков внимания) of the family friends.
2 Michael Corleone was the youngest son of the Don and the only child who had
refused the great man's direction (отказался следовать указаниям этого великого
человека). He did not have the heavy, Cupid-shaped face of the other children, and his
jet black hair (черные, как смоль; jet – гагат, черный янтарь) was straight rather than
curly (скорее прямые, чем вьющиеся). His skin was a clear olive-brown that would
have been called beautiful in a girl. He was handsome in a delicate way (красив тонкой,
изящной красотой). Indeed there had been a time when the Don had worried about his
youngest son's masculinity (беспокоился о «мужеских качествах» = не слишком ли
женственен его сын). A worry that was put to rest (беспокойство это отпало, было
снято: «было успокоено») when Michael Corleone became seventeen years old.
3 Now this youngest son sat at a table in the extreme corner (в наиболее удаленном)
of the garden to proclaim his chosen alienation (избранную им непричастность;
alienation [eэlj*’neэ**n] * отдаление, отчужденность) from father and family. Beside
him sat the American girl everyone had heard about but whom no one had seen until
this day. He had, of course, shown the proper respect (выказал надлежащее
уважение) and introduced her (представил ее) to everyone at the wedding, including
(включая) his family. They were not impressed with her (она не произвела на них
большого впечатления: «не были впечатлены ею»). She was too thin, she was too
fair (светлая), her face was too sharply intelligent («остро-умные») for a woman, her
manner too free for a maiden. Her name, too, was outlandish (было чуждым,
иностранным) to their ears; she called herself Kay Adams. If she had told them that her
family had settled (поселилась) in America two hundred years ago and her name was a
common one (обычное), they would have shrugged (пожали бы /плечами/).
4 Every guest noticed that the Don paid no particular attention (не уделил особого
внимания) to this third son. Michael had been his favorite before the war and obviously
(очевидно) the chosen heir to run the family business (вести семейное дело,
управлять делом) when the proper moment came (когда придет надлежащий
момент). He had all the quiet force and intelligence of his great father, the born instinct
to act in such a way that men had no recourse but to respect him (что людям не
оставалось ничего иного, как уважать его; recourse [rэ'ko:s] – прибежище,
19
пристанище). But when World War II broke out, Michael Corleone volunteered for the
Marine Corps (пошел добровольцем во флот [vol*n’tэ*]; Marine [m*’ri:n] –
государственный морской флот). He defied his father's express command (он
пренебрег явным, недвусмысленно выраженным указанием отца; to defy [dэ'faэ] –
бросать вызов; игнорировать, не обращать внимания) when he did so.
5 Don Corleone had no desire (никакого желания [dэ'zaэ*]), no intention (намерения),
of letting his youngest son be killed (допустить, чтобы его сын был убит: «быть
убитым») in the service of a power foreign to himself (за чужую, чуждую ему власть:
«на службе у власти = державы, иностранной по отношению к нему»). Doctors had
been bribed (были подкуплены), secret arrangements (договоренности) had been
made. A great deal of money (большое количество) had been spent to take the proper
precautions (неоходимые меры предосторожности; precaution [prэ'ko:**n] *
предосторожность). But Michael was twenty-one years of age and nothing could be
done against his own willfulness (своеволие, упрямство). He enlisted (записался) and
fought (бился; to fight) over the Pacific Ocean. He became a Captain and won medals.
In 1944 his picture was printed in Life magazine with a photo layout of his deeds («с
фотографическим изображением» его деяний = подвигов; layout – планировка,
расположение; выставка, показ). A friend had shown Don Corleone the magazine (his
family did not dare (не осмеливалась)), and the Don had grunted disdainfully (крякнул
презрительно; to grunt – хрюкать; ворчать, мычать; disdain [dэs’deэn] – презрение,
пренебрежение) and said, "He performs those miracles for strangers (выполняет те
чудеса для чужаков, иностранцев; miracle ['mэr*kl])."
6 When Michael Corleone was discharged (демобилизован) early in 1945 to recover
(чтобы поправиться, прийти в себя; to recover [rэ’kЛv*] – вновь обретать; прийти в
себя; выздороветь) from a disabling wound (от раны, мешающей ему продолжать
службу; to disable – делать неспособным, непригодным), he had no idea that his
father had arranged his release (устроил его освобождение). He stayed home for a
few weeks, then, without consulting anyone, entered Dartmouth College in Hanover,
New Hampshire, and so he left his father's house. To return for the wedding of his sister
and to show his own future wife to them, the washed-out rag of an American girl
(бесцветную американку: the washed-out rag – застиранная тряпка).
1 The third son, Michael Corleone, did not stand with his father and his two
brothers but sat at a table in the most secluded corner of the garden. But even
there he could not escape the attentions of the family friends.
20
2 Michael Corleone was the youngest son of the Don and the only child who had
refused the great man's direction. He did not have the heavy, Cupid-shaped face
of the other children, and his jet black hair was straight rather than curly. His skin
was a clear olive-brown that would have been called beautiful in a girl. He was
handsome in a delicate way. Indeed there had been a time when the Don had
worried about his youngest son's masculinity. A worry that was put to rest when
Michael Corleone became seventeen years old.
3 Now this youngest son sat at a table in the extreme corner of the garden to
proclaim his chosen alienation from father and family. Beside him sat the
American girl everyone had heard about but whom no one had seen until this day.
He had, of course, shown the proper respect and introduced her to everyone at
the wedding, including his family. They were not impressed with her. She was too
thin, she was too fair, her face was too sharply intelligent for a woman, her
manner too free for a maiden. Her name, too, was outlandish to their ears; she
called herself Kay Adams. If she had told them that her family had settled in
America two hundred years ago and her name was a common one, they would
have shrugged.
4 Every guest noticed that the Don paid no particular attention to this third son.
Michael had been his favorite before the war and obviously the chosen heir to run
the family business when the proper moment came. He had all the quiet force and
intelligence of his great father, the born instinct to act in such a way that men had
no recourse but to respect him. But when World War II broke out, Michael
Corleone volunteered for the Marine Corps. He defied his father's express
command when he did so.
5 Don Corleone had no desire, no intention, of letting his youngest son be killed
in the service of a power foreign to himself. Doctors had been bribed, secret
arrangements had been made. A great deal of money had been spent to take the
proper precautions. But Michael was twenty-one years of age and nothing could
be done against his own willfulness. He enlisted and fought over the Pacific
Ocean. He became a Captain and won medals. In 1944 his picture was printed in
Life magazine with a photo layout of his deeds. A friend had shown Don Corleone
the magazine (his family did not dare), and the Don had grunted disdainfully and
said, "He performs those miracles for strangers."
6 When Michael Corleone was discharged early in 1945 to recover from a
disabling wound, he had no idea that his father had arranged his release. He
stayed home for a few weeks, then, without consulting anyone, entered
Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, and so he left his father's house.
To return for the wedding of his sister and to show his own future wife to them,
the washed-out rag of an American girl.
1 Michael Corleone was amusing Kay Adams (развлекал) by telling her little stories
about some of the more colorful wedding guests (о наиболее колоритных). He was, in
turn (в свою очередь), amused by her finding (что она находила) these people exotic,
and, as always, charmed by her intense interest (очарован ее живым интересом) in
anything new and foreign to her experience. Finally her attention was caught (ее
внимание было привлечено) by a small group of men gathered around a wooden
barrel (собравшихся вокруг деревянной бочки) of homemade wine. The men were
Amerigo Bonasera, Nazorine the Baker, Anthony Coppola and Luca Brasi. With her
usual alert intelligence (со свойственной ей живой, острой наблюдательностью; alert
[*'l*:t] – бдительный, настороженный) she remarked (заметила, высказала
наблюдение) on the fact that these four men did not seem particularly happy (не
кажутся особенно счастливыми). Michael smiled. "No, they're not," he said. "They're
waiting to see my father in private (наедине). They have favors to ask (хотят просить
об одолжении, помощи)." And indeed it was easy to see that all four men constantly
followed the Don with their eyes.
2 As Don Corleone stood greeting guests, a black Chevrolet sedan came to a stop on
the far side of the paved mall (мощеной аллеи). Two men in the front seat pulled
notebooks from their jackets and, with no attempt at concealment (не таясь: «без
попытки укрывания, утаивания»; to conceal * утаивать), jotted down (начали
записывать; jot – йота, ничтожное количество; to jot – кратко записать, бегло
набросать) license numbers of the other cars parked around the mall. Sonny turned to
his father and said, "Those guys over there must be cops (те парни вон там, должно
быть, полицейские)."
Don Corleone shrugged. "I don't own the street (не владею улицей = улица – не моя
собственность). They can do what they please."
3 Sonny's heavy Cupid face grew red with anger (стало красным от гнева). "Those
lousy bastards (вшивые выродки), they don't respect anything." He left the steps of the
house and walked across the mall to where the black sedan was parked. He thrust his
face angrily close to the face of the driver, who did not flinch (не отклонился, не
дрогнул; to flinch – вздрагивать /от боли, испуга/; уклоняться, отступать) but flapped
22
open (открыл: «распахнул»; to flap – хлопать, шлепать) his wallet (бумажник ['wolэt])
to show a green identification card (удостоверение). Sonny stepped back without
saying a word. He spat (плюнул; to spit) so that the spittle hit the back door (что слюна
попала на заднюю дверь) of the sedan and walked away. He was hoping the driver
would get out of the sedan and come after him, on the mall, but nothing happened.
When he reached the steps (дошел до ступеней: «достиг» ступеней) he said to his
father, "Those guys are FBI men (FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation /ФБР –
Федеральное бюро расследований/). They're taking down all the license numbers.
Snotty (сопливые; snot – сопли /груб./) bastards."
4 Don Corleone knew who they were. His closest and most intimate friends had been
advised (его наиболее близким друзьям было посоветовано) to attend (посетить,
присутствовать на [*'tend]) the wedding in automobiles not their own. And though he
disapproved (не одобрял) of his son's foolish display of anger (глупое выражение,
демонстрацию гнева), the tantrum (вспышка раздражения [‘tжntr*m]) served a
purpose (/по/служило цели ['p*:p*s]). It would convince the interlopers (убедит
непрошенных гостей; interloper – человек, вмешивающийся в чужие дела) that their
presence was unexpected (что их присутствие было неожиданным = что их не
ждали) and unprepared for (и к этому не были готовы). So Don Corleone himself was
not angry. He had long ago learned that society imposes insults (наносит обиды:
«накладывает оскорбления») that must be borne (которые нужно уметь стерпеть,
снести: «которые должны быть носимы»), comforted (утешаясь) by the knowledge
that in this world there comes a time when the most humble of men, if he keeps his
eyes open, can take his revenge on the most powerful (может отомстить самому
могущественному). It was this knowledge that prevented (предохранило,
предупредило) the Don from losing the humility (от утраты смирения) all his friends
admired in him (которым восхищались все его друзья [*d'maэ*]).
5 But now in the garden behind the house, a four-piece band (квартет, оркестр из
четырех музыкантов) began to play. All the guests had arrived. Don Corleone put the
intruders out of his mind (выбросил из головы: «ума, памяти» мысли о незваных
гостях) and led his two sons to the wedding feast (на свадебный пир).
1 Michael Corleone was amusing Kay Adams by telling her little stories about
some of the more colorful wedding guests. He was, in turn, amused by her
finding these people exotic, and, as always, charmed by her intense interest in
anything new and foreign to her experience. Finally her attention was caught by a
small group of men gathered around a wooden barrel of homemade wine. The
men were Amerigo Bonasera, Nazorine the Baker, Anthony Coppola and Luca
Brasi. With her usual alert intelligence she remarked on the fact that these four
men did not seem particularly happy. Michael smiled. "No, they're not," he said.
"They're waiting to see my father in private. They have favors to ask." And indeed
it was easy to see that all four men constantly followed the Don with their eyes.
2 As Don Corleone stood greeting guests, a black Chevrolet sedan came to a
stop on the far side of the paved mall. Two men in the front seat pulled notebooks
from their jackets and, with no attempt at concealment, jotted down license
numbers of the other cars parked around the mall. Sonny turned to his father and
said, "Those guys over there must be cops."
Don Corleone shrugged. "I don't own the street. They can do what they please."
3 Sonny's heavy Cupid face grew red with anger. "Those lousy bastards, they
don't respect anything." He left the steps of the house and walked across the mall
to where the black sedan was parked. He thrust his face angrily close to the face
of the driver, who did not flinch but flapped open his wallet to show a green
identification card. Sonny stepped back without saying a word. He spat so that
the spittle hit the back door of the sedan and walked away. He was hoping the
driver would get out of the sedan and come after him, on the mall, but nothing
happened. When he reached the steps he said to his father, "Those guys are FBI
men. They're taking down all the license numbers. Snotty bastards."
4 Don Corleone knew who they were. His closest and most intimate friends had
been advised to attend the wedding in automobiles not their own. And though he
disapproved of his son's foolish display of anger, the tantrum served a purpose.
It would convince the interlopers that their presence was unexpected and
unprepared for. So Don Corleone himself was not angry. He had long ago learned
that society imposes insults that must be borne, comforted by the knowledge that
in this world there comes a time when the most humble of men, if he keeps his
eyes open, can take his revenge on the most powerful. It was this knowledge that
prevented the Don from losing the humility all his friends admired in him.
5But now in the garden behind the house, a four-piece band began to play. All the
guests had arrived. Don Corleone put the intruders out of his mind and led his
two sons to the wedding feast.
1 There were, now, hundreds of guests in the huge garden, some dancing on the
wooden platform bedecked (украшенной, убранной) with flowers, others sitting at long
tables piled high with spicy food (заставленных острой, пикантной пищей; pile – куча,
груда; to pile – сваливать в кучу) and gallon jugs (кувшинами. бутылями) of black,
homemade wine. The bride, Connie Corleone, sat in splendor («в блеске,
великолепии») at a special raised table with her groom, the maid of honor, bridesmaids
and ushers (дружками и подружками; usher – швейцар; церемониймейстер; шафер).
It was a rustic setting (сельская, деревенская атмосфера; setting – размещение,
окружающая обстановка) in the old Italian style. Not to the bride's taste (не по вкусу),
but Connie had consented (согласилась) to a "guinea" wedding to please her father
because she had so displeasured him (так огорчила) in her choice of a husband (в
выборе супруга).
2 The groom, Carlo Rizzi, was a half-breed (полукровка; to breed – порождать,
выводить, разводить /животных/), born of a Sicilian father and the North Italian mother
from whom he had inherited his blond hair and blue eyes. His parents lived in Nevada
and Carlo had left that state because of a little trouble with the law (из-за небольшой
неприятности с законом). In New York he met Sonny Corleone and so met the sister.
Don Corleone, of course, sent trusted friends (надежных; to trust – доверять) to
Nevada and they reported that Carlo's police trouble was a youthful indiscretion with a
gun («юношеская неосторожность с пистолетом»), not serious, that could easily be
wiped off (стереть) the books to leave the youth with a clean record (с чистым
прошлым; record – запись, протокол; характеристика, биография). They also came
back with detailed information on legal gambling (о «законных» азартных играх; to
gamble – играть на деньги) in Nevada which greatly interested the Don and which he
had been pondering over since (и о чем он размышлял, продолжал размышлять с
тех пор: to ponder over). It was part of the Don's greatness (/неотъемлемой/ частью
его величия = это была одна из тех вещей, которые делали его великим
человеком) that he profited from everything (извлекал пользу из всего).
3 Connie Corleone was a not quite pretty girl (не больно: «не вполне» красива,
красавицей не назовешь), thin and nervous and certain (наверняка,
/пред/определенной/) to become shrewish (стать сварливой, вздорной) later in life.
But today, transformed by her white bridal gown and eager virginity («страстной
девственностью»; eager – страстно желающий, ждущий, напряженный), she was so
radiant (лучащейся, излучающей радость) as to be almost beautiful. Beneath the
wooden table her hand rested on the muscular thigh of her groom. Her Cupid-bow
mouth pouted (дулся = выпячивался) to give him an airy kiss (воздушный поцелуй).
4 She thought him incredibly handsome (невероятно красивым). Carlo Rizzi had
worked in the open desert air while very young – heavy laborer's work. Now he had
tremendous forearms (жуткие = огромные, могучие предплечья) and his shoulders
bulged (выпячивались, бугрились; bulge – выпуклость) the jacket of his tux. He
basked (грелся; to bask – греться /на солнце, у огня/; наслаждаться /счастьем/) in
the adoring eyes (в обожающих глазах; to adore) of his bride and filled her glass with
wine. He was elaborately (усердно, скрупулезно: «выработанно» [э’lж’b*r*tlэ])
courteous (вежлив [‘k*:tj*s]) to her as if they were both (словно они оба были) actors
in a play. But his eyes kept flickering (все время украдкой поглядывали, косились; to
flicker – мигать, мерцать, мелькать) toward the huge silk purse (на огромный
шелковый кошелек) the bride wore on her right shoulder and which was now stuffed
full of money envelopes. How much did it hold (содержал /в себе/)* Ten thousand*
Twenty thousand* Carlo Rizzi smiled. It was only the beginning. He had, after all,
married into a royal family («женился в королевскую семью», породнился с
королевской семьей). They would have to take care of him (им придется
позаботиться о нем).
1 There were, now, hundreds of guests in the huge garden, some dancing on the
wooden platform bedecked with flowers, others sitting at long tables piled high
with spicy food and gallon jugs of black, homemade wine. The bride, Connie
Corleone, sat in splendor at a special raised table with her groom, the maid of
honor, bridesmaids and ushers. It was a rustic setting in the old Italian style. Not
to the bride's taste, but Connie had consented to a "guinea" wedding to please
her father because she had so displeasured him in her choice of a husband.
2 The groom, Carlo Rizzi, was a half-breed, born of a Sicilian father and the
North Italian mother from whom he had inherited his blond hair and blue eyes.
His parents lived in Nevada and Carlo had left that state because of a little trouble
with the law. In New York he met Sonny Corleone and so met the sister. Don
Corleone, of course, sent trusted friends to Nevada and they reported that Carlo's
police trouble was a youthful indiscretion with a gun, not serious, that could
easily be wiped off the books to leave the youth with a clean record. They also
came back with detailed information on legal gambling in Nevada which greatly
26
interested the Don and which he had been pondering over since. It was part of the
Don's greatness that he profited from everything.
3 Connie Corleone was a not quite pretty girl, thin and nervous and certain to
become shrewish later in life. But today, transformed by her white bridal gown
and eager virginity, she was so radiant as to be almost beautiful. Beneath the
wooden table her hand rested on the muscular thigh of her groom. Her Cupid-
bow mouth pouted to give him an airy kiss.
4 She thought him incredibly handsome. Carlo Rizzi had worked in the open
desert air while very young – heavy laborer's work. Now he had tremendous
forearms and his shoulders bulged the jacket of his tux. He basked in the adoring
eyes of his bride and filled her glass with wine. He was elaborately courteous to
her as if they were both actors in a play. But his eyes kept flickering toward the
huge silk purse the bride wore on her right shoulder and which was now stuffed
full of money envelopes. How much did it hold* Ten thousand* Twenty thousand*
Carlo Rizzi smiled. It was only the beginning. He had, after all, married into a royal
family. They would have to take care of him.
1 In the crowd of guests a dapper (подвижный, проворный; щеголеватый,
элегантный) young man with the sleek head of a ferret (с гладкой, прилизанной
головой хорька) was also studying the silk purse. From sheer habit (чисто по
привычке; sheer – абсолютный, полнейший) Paulie Gatto wondered just how he
could go about hijacking (размышлял, как бы он мог похитить; to hijack [‘haэdGжk] –
нападать с целью грабежа, похищать) that fat pocketbook (кошелек). The idea
amused him. But he knew it was idle, innocent dreaming (праздное, невинное
мечтание), as small children dream of knocking out tanks (подбивать танки,
подбивания танков) with popguns (пугачами). He watched his boss, fat, middle-aged
Peter Clemenza whirling (кружащего) young girls around the wooden dance floor in a
rustic and lusty (в деревенской и чувственной, бойкой) Tarantella. Clemenza,
immensely tall (очень высокий; immense [э’mens] – безмерный, очень большой,
огромный), immensely huge, danced with such skill (умением) and abandon
(самозабвением, импульсивностью, страстностью; to abandon [*'bжnd*n] –
покидать, оставлять; отказываться, прекращать), his hard belly lecherously bumping
(«похотливо» ударялся; lecherous [‘let**r*s]) – распутный, развратный) the breasts
of younger, tinier women (меньших /чем он/; tiny – очень маленький, крошечный),
that all the guests were applauding him. Older women grabbed his arm (хватали) to
become his next partner. The younger men respectfully cleared off the floor
(освобождали место, расчищали /перед ним/ дорогу) and clapped their hands in time
to the mandolin's wild strumming (в ритм бренчанию, треньканью). When Clemenza
finally collapsed in a chair (плюхнулся, свалился), Paulie Gatto brought him a glass of
icy black wine and wiped the perspiring Jovelike brow (потное юпитероподобное чело;
brow – бровь; чело /высок./) with his silk handkerchief (платком ['hж*k*t*эf]).
Clemenza was blowing like a whale (тяжело дышал: «дул», как кит) as he gulped
down the wine (проглотил, хлебнул, хлебал). But instead of thanking Paulie he said
curtly (коротко, резко, грубо), "Never mind being a dance judge («не беспокойся о
том, чтобы быть танцевальным судьей» = нечего глазеть на танцы), do your job.
Take a walk around the neighborhood (пройдись по окрестностям; neighborhood
[‘neэb*hud] – соседство, соседи; окрестности) and see everything is OK." Paulie slid
away into the crowd (скользнул в толпу; to slide).
2 The band took a refreshment break (перерыв «для освежения»; refreshment –
восстановление сил, отдых; refreshments – прохладительные напитки, закуска). A
young man named Nino Valenti picked up a discarded mandolin (подобрал
брошенную мандолину; to discard – отбрасывать что-то, избавляться от чего-либо),
put his left foot up on a chair and began to sing a coarse (грубую [ko:s]) Sicilian love
song. Nino Valenti's face was handsome though bloated by continual drinking
(раздутое, опухшее от постоянного выпивания) and he was already a little drunk. He
rolled his eyes (закатывал) as his tongue caressed the obscene lyrics (в то время как
его язык ласкал непристойные стихи = слова песни [k*'res]). The women shrieked
with glee (визжали от восторга) and the men shouted the last word of each stanza
(строфы [‘stжnz*]) with the singer.
3 Don Corleone, notoriously (как всем было известно; notorious [n*u'to:rэ*s] –
известный, общеизвестный) straitlaced in such matters, («узко зашнурованный» =
строгий в подобных вещах; lace – шнурок, тесьма; to lace – шнуровать), though his
stout wife (дородная, полная) was screaming joyfully with the others, disappeared
tactfully (тактично искрылся: «исчез») into the house. Seeing this, Sonny Corleone
made his way (пробрался) to the bride's table and sat down beside young Lucy
Mancini, the maid of honor. They were safe (они были в безопасности = дело было в
шляпе, дело было верное). His wife was in the kitchen putting the last touches
(последние штрихи) on the serving of the wedding cake. Sonny whispered
(прошептал) a few words in the young girl's ear and she rose (поднялась, встала: to
rise). Sonny waited a few minutes and then casually (как бы невзначай; casually
[‘kжG(j)u:*lэ] – случайно, ненароком) followed her, stopping to talk with a guest here
and there as he worked his way (пробирался, пробивался) through the crowd.
4 All eyes followed them. The maid of honor, thoroughly Americanized (полностью,
совершенно, основательно американизированная; thoroughly ['иЛr*lэ]) by three
years of college, was a ripe girl (зрелой) who already had a "reputation." All through the
marriage rehearsals she had flirted with Sonny Corleone in a teasing, joking way
(дразнящим, игривым образом) she thought was permitted (который, как она
полагала, был допустим; to permit [‘p*:mэt] – позволять, разрешать) because he was
the best man and her wedding partner. Now holding her pink gown up off the ground,
Lucy Mancini went into the house, smiling with false innocence («с фальшивой
невинностью» = с притворно-невинным выражением лица), ran lightly up the stairs
to the bathroom. She stayed there for a few moments. When she came out Sonny
Corleone was on the landing above (на верхней площадке), beckoning her upward
(маня ее вверх, делая ей знак рукой, чтобы поднялась; to beckon [‘bek*n] – манить,
делать знак /рукой, пальцем/).
1 In the crowd of guests a dapper young man with the sleek head of a ferret was
also studying the silk purse. From sheer habit Paulie Gatto wondered just how he
could go about hijacking that fat pocketbook. The idea amused him. But he knew
it was idle, innocent dreaming, as small children dream of knocking out tanks
with popguns. He watched his boss, fat, middle-aged Peter Clemenza whirling
young girls around the wooden dance floor in a rustic and lusty Tarantella.
Clemenza, immensely tall, immensely huge, danced with such skill and abandon,
his hard belly lecherously bumping the breasts of younger, tinier women, that all
the guests were applauding him. Older women grabbed his arm to become his
next partner. The younger men respectfully cleared off the floor and clapped their
hands in time to the mandolin's wild strumming. When Clemenza finally collapsed
in a chair, Paulie Gatto brought him a glass of icy black wine and wiped the
perspiring Jovelike brow with his silk handkerchief. Clemenza was blowing like a
whale as he gulped down the wine. But instead of thanking Paulie he said curtly,
"Never mind being a dance judge, do your job. Take a walk around the
neighborhood and see everything is OK." Paulie slid away into the crowd.
2 The band took a refreshment break. A young man named Nino Valenti picked
up a discarded mandolin, put his left foot up on a chair and began to sing a
coarse Sicilian love song. Nino Valenti's face was handsome though bloated by
continual drinking and he was already a little drunk. He rolled his eyes as his
tongue caressed the obscene lyrics. The women shrieked with glee and the men
shouted the last word of each stanza with the singer.
3 Don Corleone, notoriously straitlaced in such matters, though his stout wife
was screaming joyfully with the others, disappeared tactfully into the house.
Seeing this, Sonny Corleone made his way to the bride's table and sat down
beside young Lucy Mancini, the maid of honor. They were safe. His wife was in
the kitchen putting the last touches on the serving of the wedding cake. Sonny
whispered a few words in the young girl's ear and she rose. Sonny waited a few
minutes and then casually followed her, stopping to talk with a guest here and
there as he worked his way through the crowd.
4 All eyes followed them. The maid of honor, thoroughly Americanized by three
years of college, was a ripe girl who already had a "reputation." All through the
marriage rehearsals she had flirted with Sonny Corleone in a teasing, joking way
she thought was permitted because he was the best man and her wedding
partner. Now holding her pink gown up off the ground, Lucy Mancini went into the
house, smiling with false innocence, ran lightly up the stairs to the bathroom. She
stayed there for a few moments. When she came out Sonny Corleone was on the
landing above, beckoning her upward.
1 From behind the closed window of Don Corleone's "office," a slightly raised corner
room (cлегка приподнятой угловой комнаты), Thomas Hagen watched the wedding
party in the festooned garden. The walls behind him were stacked with law books (были
уставлены юридическими книгами; to stack – складывать в стог; stack – куча, груда;
law – закон). Hagen was the Don's lawyer (адвокат) and acting consigliori
(исполняющим обязанности консильори /советника – итал./), or counselor, and as
such held the most vital subordinate position (и в качестве такового занимал
наиболее важную: «жизненную» подчиненную должность) in the family business. He
and the Don had solved many a knotty problem (разрешили немало запутанных
проблем; knot – узел) in this room, and so when he saw the Godfather leave the
festivities and enter the house, he knew, wedding or no (свадьба свадьбой, несмотря
на свадьбу), there would be a little work this day. The Don would be coming to see him.
Then Hagen saw Sonny Corleone whisper in Lucy Mancini's ear and their little comedy
as he followed her into the house. Hagen grimaced (to grimace [grэ'meэs]), debated
whether to inform the Don (поразмыслил, сообщить ли), and decided against it. He
went to the desk and picked up a handwritten list of the people who had been granted
permission (которым было позволено: «предоставлено разрешение»; to grant –
дарить, даровать; предоставлять) to see Don Corleone privately. When the Don
entered the room, Hagen handed him the list. Don Corleone nodded (кивнул) and said,
"Leave Bonasera to the end (оставь на конец, напоследок)."
2 Hagen used the French doors (застекленные створчатые двери) and went directly
out into the garden to where the supplicants clustered (просители столпились; cluster
– кисть, пучок, гроздь) around the barrel of wine. He pointed (указал пальцем) to the
baker, the pudgy Nazorine.
3 Don Corleone greeted the baker with an embrace (приветствовал объятием). They
had played together as children in Italy and had grown up in friendship. Every Easter
(на каждую Пасху) freshly baked clotted-cheese (с расплавленным сыром; clot –
комок, сгусток, свернувшийся) and wheat-germ (покрытые зернышками; wheat –
пшеница; germ – зародыш; завязь) pies (пироги), their crusts (их корочки) yolk-gold
(yolk [j*uk] – желток яйца), big around as truck wheels (как колеса грузовика), arrived
at Don Corleone's home. On Christmas, on family birthdays, rich creamy pastries
(кондитерские изделия /пирожные, печенья/; pastry ['peэstrэ]) proclaimed the
Nazorines' respect. And all through the years, lean and fat (благополучные и
неблагополучные: «тощие, скудные – и жирные, толстые»), Nazorine cheerfully
(весело, бодро = не ропща) paid his dues (налоги, пошлины) to the bakery union (в
союз пекарей) organized by the Don in his salad days (в пору юношеской
неопытности). Never asking for a favor in return except for the chance to buy black-
market OPA sugar coupons (правительственные карточки на сахар; OPA – Office of
Price Administration) during the war. Now the time had come for the baker to claim his
rights (заявить о своих правах) as a loyal friend, and Don Corleone looked forward
with great pleasure (с большим удовольствием ожидал, собирался; to look forward –
ожидать с нетерпением, предвкушать: «смотреть вперед») to granting his request
(удовлетворить его просьбу).
4 He gave the baker a Di Nobili cigar and a glass of yellow Strega (итальянский
лимонный ликер) and put his hand on the man's shoulder to urge him on (чтобы
подбодрить его, побудить /изложить просьбу/; to urge – подгонять, подстегивать;
побуждать, советовать). That was the mark (знак, метка) of the Don's humanity
(человечности). He knew from bitter experience (по горькому опыту) what courage it
took (сколько смелости требуется) to ask a favor from a fellow man (попросить
ближнего об одолжении; fellow – приятель, коллега, напарник).
5 The baker told the story of his daughter and Enzo. A fine Italian lad (отличный
парень) from Sicily; captured (взятый в плен) by the American Army; sent to the
United States as a prisoner of war; given parole to help our war effort (усилие;
достижение, успех ['ef*t])! A pure and honorable love had sprung up between honest
Enzo and his sheltered Katherine (невинной: «оберегаемой дома») Катериной;
shelter – приют; to shelter – приютить, укрыть) but now that the war was ended the
poor lad would be repatriated to Italy and Nazorine's daughter would surely die of a
broken heart (наверняка, несомненно умрет от разбитого сердца). Only Godfather
Corleone could help this afflicted couple (несчастной паре; to afflict [*’flэkt] –
беспокоить, причинять боль, огорчать). He was their last hope.
6 The Don walked Nazorine up and down the room, his hand on the baker's shoulder,
his head nodding with understanding to keep up (чтобы поддержать) the man's
courage. When the baker had finished, Don Corleone smiled at him and said, "My dear
friend, put all your worries aside (вам не о чем волноваться: «отложите /в сторону/
все ваши беспокойства»)." He went on (продолжил) to explain very carefully
(объяснять очень тщательно = детально) what must be done (что должно быть
сделано). The Congressman of the district (округа ['dэstrэkt]) must be petitioned (к нему
нужно обратиться с просьбой, ходатайством [pэ’tэ**n]). The Congressman would
propose a special bill (предложит особый законопроект [pr*'p*uz]) that would allow
(позволит [*’lau]) Enzo to become a citizen (стать гражданином). The bill would surely
pass Congress (пройдет = будет принят). A privilege all those rascals extended to
each other (которую эти мошенники оказывают друг другу; to extend [эks’tend] –
расширять, распространять влияние; оказывать протекцию, покровительство). Don
Corleone explained that this would cost money, the going price (нынешняя,
актуальная цена) was now two thousand dollars. He, Don Corleone, would guarantee
performance (гарантирует исполнение [gжr*n’ti:] [p*’fo:m*ns]) and accept payment
(готов принять плату [*’ksept]). Did his friend agree (согласен [*g'ri:])*
7 The baker nodded his head vigorously (сильно, энергично [‘vэg*r*slэ]). He did not
expect such a great favor for nothing. That was understood. A special Act of Congress
does not come cheap. Nazorine was almost tearful (чуть не плакал; tearful –
плачущий: «полный слез») in his thanks. Don Corleone walked him to the door,
assuring him (заверив его; to assure [*’*u*] – уверять) that competent people would be
sent to the bakery to arrange all details, complete all necessary documents. The baker
embraced him (обнял [эm'breэs]) before disappearing into the garden.
8 Hagen smiled at the Don. "That's a good investment (/капитало/вложение) for
Nazorine. A son-in-law (зять) and a cheap lifetime helper (дешевый помощник на всю
жизнь) in his bakery all for two thousand dollars." He paused. "Who do I give this job
to*"
9 Don Corleone frowned (нахмурился, сморщил лоб) in thought. "Not to our paisan
(не земляку = не сицилийцу /итал./). Give it to the Jew in the next district. Have the
home addresses changed (поменяй, пусть поменяют). I think there might be many
such cases (должно быть много таких дел, случаев) now the war is over; we should
have extra people (дополнительных людей) in Washington that can handle the
overflow (справиться с наплывом) and not raise the price (не поднимая цены)."
Hagen made a note on his pad (в блокнот). "Not Congressman Luteco. Try
(попробовать) Fischer."
1 From behind the closed window of Don Corleone's "office," a slightly raised
corner room, Thomas Hagen watched the wedding party in the festooned garden.
The walls behind him were stacked with law books. Hagen was the Don's lawyer
and acting consigliori, or counselor, and as such held the most vital subordinate
position in the family business. He and the Don had solved many a knotty
problem in this room, and so when he saw the Godfather leave the festivities and
enter the house, he knew, wedding or no, there would be a little work this day.
The Don would be coming to see him. Then Hagen saw Sonny Corleone whisper
in Lucy Mancini's ear and their little comedy as he followed her into the house.
Hagen grimaced, debated whether to inform the Don, and decided against it. He
went to the desk and picked up a handwritten list of the people who had been
granted permission to see Don Corleone privately. When the Don entered the
room, Hagen handed him the list. Don Corleone nodded and said, "Leave
Bonasera to the end."
2 Hagen used the French doors and went directly out into the garden to where
the supplicants clustered around the barrel of wine. He pointed to the baker, the
pudgy Nazorine.
3 Don Corleone greeted the baker with an embrace. They had played together as
children in Italy and had grown up in friendship. Every Easter freshly baked
clotted-cheese and wheat-germ pies, their crusts yolk-gold, big around as truck
wheels, arrived at Don Corleone's home. On Christmas, on family birthdays, rich
creamy pastries proclaimed the Nazorines' respect. And all through the years,
33
lean and fat, Nazorine cheerfully paid his dues to the bakery union organized by
the Don in his salad days. Never asking for a favor in return except for the chance
to buy black-market OPA sugar coupons during the war. Now the time had come
for the baker to claim his rights as a loyal friend, and Don Corleone looked
forward with great pleasure to granting his request.
4 He gave the baker a Di Nobili cigar and a glass of yellow Strega and put his
hand on the man's shoulder to urge him on. That was the mark of the Don's
humanity. He knew from bitter experience what courage it took to ask a favor
from a fellow man.
The baker told the story of his daughter and Enzo. A fine Italian lad from Sicily;
captured by the American Army; sent to the United States as a prisoner of war;
given parole to help our war effort! A pure and honorable love had sprung up
between honest Enzo and his sheltered Katherine but now that the war was
ended the poor lad would be repatriated to Italy and Nazorine's daughter would
surely die of a broken heart. Only Godfather Corleone could help this afflicted
couple. He was their last hope.
5 The Don walked Nazorine up and down the room, his hand on the baker's
shoulder, his head nodding with understanding to keep up the man's courage.
When the baker had finished, Don Corleone smiled at him and said, "My dear
friend, put all your worries aside." He went on to explain very carefully what must
be done. The Congressman of the district must be petitioned. The Congressman
would propose a special bill that would allow Enzo to become a citizen. The bill
would surely pass Congress. A privilege all those rascals extended to each other.
Don Corleone explained that this would cost money, the going price was now two
thousand dollars. He, Don Corleone, would guarantee performance and accept
payment. Did his friend agree*
6 The baker nodded his head vigorously. He did not expect such a great favor
for nothing. That was understood. A special Act of Congress does not come
cheap. Nazorine was almost tearful in his thanks. Don Corleone walked him to the
door, assuring him that competent people would be sent to the bakery to arrange
all details, complete all necessary documents. The baker embraced him before
disappearing into the garden.
7 Hagen smiled at the Don. "That's a good investment for Nazorine. A son-in-law
and a cheap lifetime helper in his bakery all for two thousand dollars." He paused.
"Who do I give this job to*"
34
8 Don Corleone frowned in thought. "Not to our paisan. Give it to the Jew in the
next district. Have the home addresses changed. I think there might be many
such cases now the war is over; we should have extra people in Washington that
can handle the overflow and not raise the price." Hagen made a note on his pad.
"Not Congressman Luteco. Try Fischer."
1 The next man Hagen brought in was a very simple case. His name was Anthony
Coppola and he was the son of a man Don Corleone had worked with in the railroad
yards (на железнодорожных сортировочных станциях) in his youth. Coppola needed
five hundred dollars to open a pizzeria; for a deposit (вклад; задаток; взнос) on fixtures
(чтобы внести задаток за оборудование; fixture ['fэkst**] – приспособление, прибор;
движимое имущество в соединении с недвижимым) and the special oven (духовой
шкаф, духовку [Лvn]). For reasons not gone into (по причинам, в которые не стоит
углубляться), credit was not available (доступен, имеющийся в распоряжении
[*'veэl*bl]). The Don reached into his pocket and took out a roll of bills (сверток купюр =
груду скомканных купюр). It was not quite enough. He grimaced and said to Tom
Hagen, "Loan me (одолжи) a hundred dollars, I'll pay you back Monday when I go to
the bank." The supplicant protested that four hundred dollars would be ample (вполне
достаточно; ample – богатый, изобильный), but Don Corleone patted his shoulder,
saying, apologetically (извиняясь [жpol*’dG*tэk*lэ]; apology [*‘pol*dGэ] – извинение),
"This fancy (причудливый, необычный, прихотливый, здесь: шикарный) wedding left
me a little short of cash (оставила меня без наличных, немножко разорила меня)."
He took the money Hagen extended to him and gave it to Anthony Coppola with his own
roll of bills.
2 Hagen watched with quiet admiration (с тихим восхищением). The Don always
taught that when a man was generous, he must show the generosity as personal
(должен показывать, проявлять щедрость, великодушие «как личное, личностное»
= направленно, конкретно). How flattering (лестно) to Anthony Coppola that a man
like the Don would borrow (готов занять /деньги/) to loan him money. Not that Coppola
did not know that the Don was a millionaire but how many millionaires let themselves be
put to even a small inconvenience (позволят подвергнуть себя даже малейшему
неудобству [эnk*n'vi:nj*ns]) by a poor friend*
3 The Don raised his head inquiringly (вопрошающе, вопросительно). Hagen said,
"He's not on the list but Luca Brasi wants to see you. He understands it can't be public
but he wants to congratulate you in person."
35
4 For the first time the Don seemed displeased (казался недовольным). The answer
was devious (уклончивым; devious [‘di:vj*s] – удаленный, окольный, отклоняющийся
от прямого пути). "Is it necessary (необходимо ['nesэs*rэ])*" he asked.
5 Hagen shrugged. "You understand him better than I do. But he was very grateful
(благодарен) that you invited him to the wedding. He never expected that. I think he
wants to show his gratitude (благодарность [‘grжtэtju:d])."
6 Don Corleone nodded and gestured (указал жестом [‘dGest**]) that Luca Blasi
should be brought to him (должен быть приведен к нему = чтобы привели).
1 The next man Hagen brought in was a very simple case. His name was
Anthony Coppola and he was the son of a man Don Corleone had worked with in
the railroad yards in his youth. Coppola needed five hundred dollars to open a
pizzeria; for a deposit on fixtures and the special oven. For reasons not gone into,
credit was not available. The Don reached into his pocket and took out a roll of
bills. It was not quite enough. He grimaced and said to Tom Hagen, "Loan me a
hundred dollars, I'll pay you back Monday when I go to the bank." The supplicant
protested that four hundred dollars would be ample, but Don Corleone patted his
shoulder, saying, apologetically, "This fancy wedding left me a little short of
cash." He took the money Hagen extended to him and gave it to Anthony Coppola
with his own roll of bills.
2 Hagen watched with quiet admiration. The Don always taught that when a man
was generous, he must show the generosity as personal. How flattering to
Anthony Coppola that a man like the Don would borrow to loan him money. Not
that Coppola did not know that the Don was a millionaire but how many
millionaires let themselves be put to even a small inconvenience by a poor friend*
3 The Don raised his head inquiringly. Hagen said, "He's not on the list but Luca
Brasi wants to see you. He understands it can't be public but he wants to
congratulate you in person."
4 For the first time the Don seemed displeased. The answer was devious. "Is it
necessary*" he asked.
5 Hagen shrugged. "You understand him better than I do. But he was very
grateful that you invited him to the wedding. He never expected that. I think he
wants to show his gratitude."
6 Don Corleone nodded and gestured that Luca Blasi should be brought to him.
36
1 In the garden Kay Adams was struck (поражена, ей бросилось в глаза: to strike –
бить) by the violent fury (неистовой яростью; violent [‘vaэ*l*nt] – неистовый,
яростный; сильный, интенсивный) imprinted («запечатленной») on the face of Luca
Brasi. She asked about him. Michael had brought Kay to the wedding so that she would
slowly (чтобы она медленно = постепенно) and perhaps without too much of a shoсk,
absorb the truth (восприняла правду; to absorb [*’bso:b] – впитывать, абсорбировать,
поглощать) about his father. But so far she seemed to regard (но пока, до сих пор она,
казалось, рассматривала) the Don as a slightly (слегка, немного) unethical
businessman. Michael decided to tell her part of the truth indirectly (опосредствованно:
«не прямо» = решил намекнуть). He explained that Luca Brasi was one of the most
feared men (которых больше всего боятся) in the Eastern underworld (в преступном
мире Восточного побережья). His great talent, it was said, was that he could do a job
of murder (убийства) all by himself (совершенно один, самостоятельно), without
confederates (без соучастников [k*n'fed*rэt]), which automatically made discovery
(раскрытие) and conviction (осуждение, признание виновным [k*n'vэk**n]) by the law
almost impossible. Michael grimaced and said, "I don't know whether all that stuff is true
(правда ли все это; stuff – материя, вещество; нечто, некие вещи). I do know he is
sort of a friend (что-то вроде друга) to my father."
2 For the first time Kay began to understand. She asked a little incredulously
(недоверчиво [эn’kredjul*slэ]), "You're not hinting (уж не намекаешь ли ты) that a man
like that works for your father*"
3 The hell with it (черт со всем этим = была не была), he thought. He said, straight
out (совершенно прямо, не таясь), "Nearly fifteen years ago some people wanted to
take over (забрать, прибрать к рукам; to take over – перенять должность; принять
во владение) my father's oil importing business (импорт оливкового масла). They
tried to kill him and nearly did (чуть не убили, у них почти получилось). Luca Brasi
went after them (занялся ими; to go after – преследовать). The story is (в общем,
расказывают) that he killed six men in two weeks and that ended the famous
(знаменитую ['feэm*s]) olive (['olэv]) oil war." He smiled as if it were a joke (словно это
была шутка).
4 Kay shuddered. "You mean your father was shot by gangsters (в него стреляли; to
shoot)*"
5 "Fifteen years ago," Michael said. "Everything's been peaceful (мирно = спокойно)
since then." He was afraid he had gone too far.
6 "You're trying to scare me (пытаешься напугать меня)," Kay said. "You just don't
want me to marry you." She smiled at him and poked his ribs (ткнула в ребра) with her
elbow (локтем ['elb*u]). "Very clever."
7 Michael smiled back at her. "I want you to think about it," he said.
8 "Did he really kill six men*" Kay asked.
9 "That's what the newspapers claimed (утверждали)," Mike said. "Nobody ever
proved it (никогда никому не удалось это доказать; ever – когда-либо). But there's
another story about him that nobody ever tells. It's supposed to be so terrible
(предполагается, что она /история/ столь ужасна) that even my father won't talk
about it. Tom Hagen knows the story and he won't tell me. Once I kidded him (я
подшучивал, поддразнивал), I said, 'When will I be old enough to hear that story about
Luca*' and Tom said, 'When you're a hundred.’ Michael sipped (отхлебнул; sip –
маленький глоток) his glass of wine. "That must be some story (это, наверное, та
еще история). That must be some Luca."
1 In the garden Kay Adams was struck by the violet fury imprinted on the face of
Luca Brasi. She asked about him. Michael had brought Kay to the wedding so
that she would slowly and perhaps without too much of a shoсk, absorb the truth
about his father. But so far she seemed to regard the Don as a slightly unethical
businessman. Michael decided to tell her part of the truth indirectly. He explained
that Luca Brasi was one of the most feared men in the Eastern underworld. His
great talent, it was said, was that he could do a job of murder all by himself,
without confederates, which automatically made discovery and conviction by the
law almost impossible. Michael grimaced and said, "I don't know whether all that
stuff is true. I do know he is sort of a friend to my father."
2 For the first time Kay began to understand. She asked a little incredulously,
"You're not hinting that a man like that works for your father*"
3 The hell with it, he thought. He said, straight out, "Nearly fifteen years ago
some people wanted to take over my father's oil importing business. They tried to
kill him and nearly did. Luca Brasi went after them. The story is that he killed six
men in two weeks and that ended the famous olive oil war." He smiled as if it
were a joke.
4 Kay shuddered. "You mean your father was shot by gangsters*"
5 "Fifteen years ago," Michael said. "Everything's been peaceful since then." He
was afraid he had gone too far.
38
6 "You're trying to scare me," Kay said. "You just don't want me to marry you."
She smiled at him and poked his ribs with her elbow. "Very clever."
7 Michael smiled back at her. "I want you to think about it," he said.
8 "Did he really kill six men*" Kay asked.
9 "That's what the newspapers claimed," Mike said. "Nobody ever proved it. But
there's another story about him that nobody ever tells. It's supposed to be so
terrible that even my father won't talk about it. Tom Hagen knows the story and he
won't tell me. Once I kidded him, I said, 'When will I be old enough to hear that
story about Luca*' and Tom said, 'When you're a hundred.’ Michael sipped his
glass of wine. "That must be some story. That must be some Luca."
1 Luca Brasi was indeed a man to frighten the devil in hell himself (способный
испугать самого дьявола в аду [devl]). Short, squat (коренастый: «короткий и
толстый»; to squat – сидеть на корточках), massive-skulled (с массивным черепом:
skull), his presence sent out alarm bells of danger (его присутстствие
сигнализировало = распространяло ощущение опасности: alarm [*’lб:m] – сигнал
тревоги; alarm bell – набат, сигнальный звонок). His face was stamped into a mask of
fury (на его лицо «была нанесена /вечная/ печать» гнева, ярости, на его лице была
застывшая маска гнева). The eyes were brown but with none of the warmth of that
color (но безо всякого тепла, свойственного этому цвету), more a deadly tan (скорее
мертвенный желто-коричневый цвет). The mouth was not so much cruel as lifeless
(не столько жестоким, сколько безжизненным); thin, rubbery (резиновым = словно
резиновым) and the color of veal (телятины).
2 Brasi's reputation for violence (жестокости, насилия, применения силы) was
awesome (устрашающей, необычайной: «вызывающей благоговение,
почтительный страх»; awe [o:] – благоговейный страх, трепет) and his devotion
(преданность) to Don Corleone legendary. He was, in himself, one of the great blocks
that supported (поддерживали) the Don's power structure. His kind was a rarity (такие
как он были большой редкостью: «его вид был редкостью»).
3 Luca Brasi did not fear the police, he did not fear society (общество [s*’saэ*tэ]), he
did not fear God, he did not fear hell, he did not fear or love his fellow man. But he had
elected (избрал), he had chosen, to fear and love Don Corleone. Ushered into the
presence of the Don (приведенный к Дону; to usher – провожать, сопровождать;
вводить; показывать места; usher – швейцар; капельдинер; билетер), the terrible
Brasi held himself stiff (неподвижно, застывший) with respect. He stuttered over
(пробормотал; to stutter – заикаться, запинаться) the flowery congratulations he
offered (цветистые поздравления; to offer – предлагать; выдвигать; приносить
/жертву/, возносить /молитвы/) and his formal hope that the first grandchild would be
masculine (мужского пола ['ma:skjulэn]). He then handed the Don an envelope stuffed
with cash as a gift for the bridal couple.
4 So that was what he wanted to do. Hagen noticed the change in Don Corleone. The
Don received Brasi as a king greets a subject (подобно тому, как король привествует
подданного) who has done him an enormous service (огромную услугу [э'no:m*s]),
never familiar but with regal respect (вовсе не фамильярно, но с королевским
уважением, почетом ['ri:g*l]). With every gesture, with every word, Don Corleone made
it clear to Luca Brasi that he was valued (ценим). Not for one moment did he show
surprise at the wedding gift being presented to him personally. He understood.
5 The money in the envelope was sure to be more than anyone else had given. Brasi
had spent many hours deciding on the sum, comparing it to what the other guests might
offer (сравнивая с тем, что могли бы предложить, преподнести другие гости). He
wanted to be the most generous to show that he had the most respect, and that was
why he had given his envelope to the Don personally, a gaucherie (неловкость,
нарушение этикета [g*u**’ri:]; gauche [g*u*] – неловкий, неуклюжий, нескладный:
«левый» /франц./) the Don overlooked (не стал обращать внимания, игнорировал)
in his own flowery sentence of thanks. Hagen saw Luca Brasi's face lose its mask of
fury (как утратило), swell with pride and pleasure (стало набухать от гордости и
удовольствия). Brasi kissed the Don's hand before he went out the door that Hagen
held open. Hagen prudently (предусмотрительно, благоразумно = на всякий случай)
gave Brasi a friendly smile which the squat man acknowledged (признал = на которую
ответил [*k'nolэdG]) with a polite stretching (вежливым растягиванием) of rubbery,
veal-colored lips.
1 Luca Brasi was indeed a man to frighten the devil in hell himself. Short, squat,
massive-skulled, his presence sent out alarm bells of danger. His face was
stamped into a mask of fury. The eyes were brown but with none of the warmth of
that color, more a deadly tan. The mouth was not so much cruel as lifeless; thin,
rubbery and the color of veal.
2 Brasi's reputation for violence was awesome and his devotion to Don Corleone
legendary. He was, in himself, one of the great blocks that supported the Don's
power structure. His kind was a rarity.
40
3 Luca Brasi did not fear the police, he did not fear society, he did not fear God,
he did not fear hell, he did not fear or love his fellow man. But he had elected, he
had chosen, to fear and love Don Corleone. Ushered into the presence of the Don,
the terrible Brasi held himself stiff with respect. He stuttered over the flowery
congratulations he offered and his formal hope that the first grandchild would be
masculine. He then handed the Don an envelope stuffed with cash as a gift for the
bridal couple.
4 So that was what he wanted to do. Hagen noticed the change in Don Corleone.
The Don received Brasi as a king greets a subject who has done him an
enormous service, never familiar but with regal respect. With every gesture, with
every word, Don Corleone made it clear to Luca Brasi that he was valued. Not for
one moment did he show surprise at the wedding gift being presented to him
personally. He understood.
5 The money in the envelope was sure to be more than anyone else had given.
Brasi had spent many hours deciding on the sum, comparing it to what the other
guests might offer. He wanted to be the most generous to show that he had the
most respect, and that was why he had given his envelope to the Don personally,
a gaucherie the Don overlooked in his own flowery sentence of thanks. Hagen
saw Luca Brasi's face lose its mask of fury, swell with pride and pleasure. Brasi
kissed the Don's hand before he went out the door that Hagen held open. Hagen
prudently gave Brasi a friendly smile which the squat man acknowledged with a
polite stretching of rubbery, veal-colored lips.
1 When the door closed Don Corleone gave a small sigh of relief (вздох облегчения).
Brasi was the only man in the world who could make him nervous. The man was like a
natural force (словно некая природная = неконтролируемая человеком сила), not
truly subject to control (в общем-то неподчиненная, неподлежащая контролю). He
had to be handled as gingerly as dynamite (с ним следовало обращаться так же
осторожно, предусмотрительно, как с динамитом [‘dGэndG*lэ] [‘daэn*maэt]). The Don
shrugged. Even dynamite could be exploded harmlessly (может быть взорван
безопасно) if the need arose (если бы возникла необходимость). He looked
questioningly at Hagen. "Is Bonasera the only one left*"
2 Hagen nodded. Don Corleone frowned in thought, then said, "Before you bring him
in, tell Santino to come here. He should learn some things."
3 Out in the garden, Hagen searched anxiously (с беспокойством, озабоченно;
anxious [‘ж*k**s]) for Sonny Corleone. He told the waiting Bonasera to be patient
(потерпеть; patient [‘peэ**nt] – терпеливый) and went over (подошел) to Michael
Corleone and his girl friend. "Did you see Sonny around (здесь где-нибудь)*" he asked.