I've been adding your translations to
the Consolidated Version, by the way; let me know if you'd rather I didn't and I'll remove them.
I've also piece together the second half of Luthien's meeting with Beren. This was another one that ran into short line issues, but from the other direction - "What is" has one less syllable than the Russian equivalent! I think I got it sorted.
The Meeting of Luthien and Beren, ctd
LUTHIEN:
What is "agony"?
BEREN:
Pain is the enemy death releases us from
LUTHIEN:
What are "battle" and "war"?
BEREN:
A delight to the poets but abhorrent to ev'ryone
LUTHIEN:
What are "hate" and "emnity"?
BEREN:
They're the bread of war, its water and living breath
LUTHIEN:
And then what is "love"?
BEREN:
Love is the bliss that stands between hate and death!
LUTHIEN:
Don't look me in the eye, I'm shaking with fear
At being alone with you
Hatred and death look out of your eyes
Enclosed in a single view
No-one has dared to see me this way
In all of the endless years
BEREN:
Until you drew me out with the light of your heart
I had known only dark and tears!
LUTHIEN:
Dear friend, you are moving far too quickly
I'm sure I've given you no cause
Fates apart, joining them is risky
BEREN:
Then you weren't waiting for me?
LUTHIEN:
I was!
But the sun shines not shine in midnight's kingdom
Rivers do not run into dry seas.
Our story is written to its ending
You weren't searching for me.
BEREN:
I was.
What is "loyalty"?
LUTHIEN:
The song that the nightingale sings in the starry night
BEREN:
What's "eternity", then?
LUTHIEN:
A house where there's room enough for you and I.
BEREN:
What is "immortal'ty"?
LUTHIEN:
The air of the forest
And the taste of ashberries bright
BEREN:
And then what is "love"?
LUTHIEN:
Love makes the weight of immortal living light!
I have absolutely no idea what an ashberry is, but I figured I'd let the Russians have that one.
I'm somewhat annoyed by 'immortal'ty', but my only alternative was something like "Immortality next?", and I want to keep the 'what's in place.
hS