The next morning the soldier with the green whiskers led the Lion to the great Throne Room and bade him enter the presence of Oz. The Lion at once passed through the door, and glancing around saw, to his surprise, that before the throne was a Ball of Fire, so fierce and glowing he could scarcely bear to gaze upon it. His first thought was that Oz had by accident caught on fire and was burning up; but when he tried to go nearer, the heat was so intense that it singed his whiskers, and he crept back tremblingly to a spot nearer the door.
Then a low, quiet voice came from the Ball of Fire, and these were the words it spoke: "I am Oz, the Great and Terrible. Who are you, and why do you seek me?"
And the Lion answered, "I am a Cowardly Lion, afraid of everything (я — Трусливый Лев, который всего боится). I came to you to beg that you give me courage (я пришел к тебе просить, чтобы ты дал мне храбрости), so that in reality I may become the King of Beasts, as men call me (чтобы и на самом деле я мог стать Царем Зверей, как зовут меня люди;
"Why should I give you courage (почему я должен дать тебе храбрость)?" demanded Oz.
"Because of all Wizards you are the greatest (потому что из всех Волшебников ты самый великий;
The Ball of Fire burned fiercely for a time (Огненный Шар на какое-то время запылал ярче: «яростнее»;
courage ['kArIdZ], proof [pru:f], speech [spi:tS], furiously ['fju(q)rIqslI]
And the Lion answered, "I am a Cowardly Lion, afraid of everything. I came to you to beg that you give me courage, so that in reality I may become the King of Beasts, as men call me."
"Why should I give you courage?" demanded Oz.
"Because of all Wizards you are the greatest, and alone have power to grant my request," answered the Lion.
The Ball of Fire burned fiercely for a time, and the voice said, "Bring me proof that the Wicked Witch is dead, and that moment I will give you courage. But as long as the Witch lives, you must remain a coward." The Lion was angry at this speech, but could say nothing in reply, and while he stood silently gazing at the Ball of Fire it became so furiously hot that he turned tail and rushed from the room.
He was glad to find his friends waiting for him (он был рад найти своих друзей, которые ожидали его), and told them of his terrible interview with the Wizard (и рассказал им о своем внушающем ужас разговоре с Волшебником;
"What shall we do now (что же нам теперь делать)?" asked Dorothy sadly (грустно спросила Дороти).
"There is only one thing we can do (есть только одна вещь, которую мы можем сделать)," returned the Lion (сказал Лев;
"But suppose we cannot (а вдруг мы не сможем;