Mark Twain - Английский язык с Марком Твеном. Принц и нищий (Mark Twain. The Prince and the Pauper)

At last the final act (наконец последний акт) was at hand (приблизился: «был у руки»). The Archbishop of Canterbury (Архиепископ Кентерберийский) lifted up the crown of England (поднял корону Англии) from its cushion (с ее подушки) and held it out (и протянул ее; to hold out — протянуть: «держать наружу») over the trembling mock king's head (над головой дрожащего потешного короля). In the same instant (в то же мгновение) a rainbow radiance (радужное сияние) flashed along the spacious transept (вспыхнуло вдоль просторного трансепта); for with one impulse (ибо в едином порыве) every individual in the great concourse of nobles (каждый человек в великом сборище дворян) lifted a coronet (поднял корону) and poised it (и стал держать ее) over his or her head (над своей: «его или ее» головой) — and paused in that attitude (и замер в этом положении).

multitude [`mAltıtju:d], vantage [`va:ntıG], entire [ın`taıə], remorse [rı`mO:s]

Let us change the tense for convenience. The time drifted along — one hour — two hours — two hours and a half; then the deep booming of artillery told that the king and his grand procession had arrived at last; so the waiting multitude rejoiced. All knew that a further delay must follow, for the king must be prepared and robed for the solemn ceremony; but this delay would be pleasantly occupied by the assembling of the peers of the realm in their stately robes. These were conducted ceremoniously to their seats, and their coronets placed conveniently at hand; and meanwhile the multitude in the galleries were alive with interest, for most of them were beholding for the first time, dukes, earls, and barons, whose names had been historical for five hundred years. When all were finally seated, the spectacle from the galleries and all coigns of vantage was complete; a gorgeous one to look upon and to remember.

Now the robed and mitered great heads of the church, and their attendants, filed in upon the platform and took their appointed places; these were followed by the Lord Protector and other great officials, and these again by a steel-clad detachment of the Guard.

There was a waiting pause; then, at a signal, a triumphant peal of music burst forth, and Tom Canty, dothed in a long robe of cloth-of-gold, appeared at a door, and stepped upon the platform. The entire multitude rose, and the ceremony of the Recognition ensued.

Then a noble anthem swept the Abbey with its rich waves of sound; and thus heralded and welcomed, Tom Canty was conducted to the throne. The ancient ceremonies went on with impressive solemnity, whilst the audience gazed; and as they drew nearer and nearer to completion, Tom Canty grew pale, and still paler, and a deep and steadily deepening woe and despondency settled down upon his spirits and upon his remorseful heart.

At last the final act was at hand. The Archbishop of Canterbury lifted up the crown of England from its cushion and held it out over the trembling mock king's head. In the same instant a rainbow radiance flashed along the spacious transept; for with one impulse every individual in the great concourse of nobles lifted a coronet and poised it over his or her head — and paused in that attitude.

A deep hush pervaded the Abbey (глубокое молчание наполнило Аббатство). At this impressive moment (в этот впечатляющий момент), a startling apparition (пугающий = страшный призрак) intruded upon the scene (вторгся на место действия) — an apparition observed by none (призрак, не замеченный никем) in the absorbed multitude (в поглощенной /церемонией/ толпе), until it suddenly appeared (пока он внезапно не показался), moving up the great central aisle (двигаясь вдоль большого центрального нефа). It was a boy (это был мальчик), bareheaded (с непокрытой головой; bare — голый; head — голова), ill shod (плохо обутый; to shoe — обувать), and clothed in coarse plebeian garments (и одетый в грубую плебейскую одежду) that were falling to rags (которая разваливалась на лоскутки). He raised his hand with a solemnity (он поднял свою руку с торжественностью) which ill comported (которая плохо согласовывалась) with his soiled and sorry aspect (с его грязным и жалким видом), and delivered this note of warning (и произнес это предупреждение: «знак предупреждения»):

'I forbid you (я запрещаю вам) to set the crown of England (возлагать корону Англии) upon that forfeited head (на эту утраченную = шальную голову). I am the king (я король)!'

In an instant (в одно мгновение) several indignant hands (несколько негодующих рук) were laid upon the boy (были положены на = схватили мальчика; to lay — класть); but in the same instant Tom Canty (но в то же мгновение Том Кэнти), in his regal vestments (в своих королевских одеждах), made a swift step forward (сделал стремительный шаг вперед) and cried out in a ringing voice (и вскричал звонким голосом):

'Loose him and forbear (отпустите его и воздержитесь = не троньте его)! He is the king (он король)!'

A sort of panic of astonishment (что-то вроде панического удивления) swept the assemblage (охватило собрание; to sweep — охватить), and they partly rose (и они отчасти встали = привстали; to rise — встать) in their places (на своих местах) and stared in a bewildered way (и уставились озадаченно) at one another (друг на друга) and at the chief figures in this scene (и на главных фигур = персонажей этого действия), like persons who wondered (как люди, которые интересовались = не знали) whether they were awake (были ли они бодрствующими) and in their senses (и в чувстве), or asleep and dreaming (или спящими и видящими сон). The Lord Protector was as amazed as the rest (лорд-протектор был так же поражен, как остальные), but quickly recovered himself (но быстро пришел в себя) and exclaimed in a voice of authority (и воскликнул голосом властным: «власти»):

'Mind not his Majesty (не обращайте внимания на его величество), his malady is upon him again (его болезнь на нем = поразила его снова) — seize the vagabond (хватайте этого бродягу)!'

He would have been obeyed (ему бы повиновались), but the mock king stamped his foot and cried out (но потешный король топнул ногой и вскричал):

'On your peril (под страхом смерти: «на твою гибель»)! Touch him not (не трогайте его), he is the king (он король)!'