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

Hendon retired to the place indicated (Хендон удалился к месту указанному) — it was a recess (это было углубление) sunk in the palace wall (сделанное в дворцовой стене; to sink — рыть, утопить), with a stone bench in it (с каменной скамейкой в нем) — a shelter for sentinels in bad weather (укрытие для часовых в плохую погоду). He had hardly seated himself (он едва уселся) when some halberdiers (когда какие-то алебардщики), in charge of an officer (под началом офицера), passed by (прошли мимо). The officer saw him (офицер увидел его; to see — видеть), halted his men (остановил своих людей), and commanded Hendon to come forth (и приказал Хендону выйти). He obeyed (он повиновался), and was promptly arrested as a suspicious character (и был живо арестован как подозрительная личность) prowling within the precincts of the palace (шатающаяся в окрестностях дворца). Things began to look ugly (вещи = дела начинали выглядеть паршиво). Poor Miles was going to explain (бедный Майлс собирался объяснить), but the officer roughly silenced him (но офицер грубо заткнул его), and ordered his men to disarm him and search him (и приказал своим людям разоружить его и обыскать его).

'God of his mercy grant (Бог в Его милости да позволит) that they find somewhat (чтобы они нашли что-нибудь),' said poor Miles (сказал бедный Майлс); 'I have searched enow (я искал достаточно), and failed (и потерпел неудачу), yet is my need greater than theirs (а это — моя нужда больше, чем их = мне это нужно больше, чем им).'

Nothing was found but a document (ничего не было найдено, кроме одного документа; to find — найти). The officer tore it open (офицер вскрыл его: «разорвал его открытым»; to tear — рвать), and Hendon smiled when he recognized the 'pot-hooks' (и Хендон улыбнулся, когда он признал «закорючки») made by his lost little friend (сделанные его потерянным маленьким другом; to make — делать; to lose — терять) that black day at Hendon Hall (в тот черный день в Хендон-холле). The officer's face grew dark (лицо офицера потемнело; to grow — становиться, расти) as he read the English paragraph (пока он читал английский абзац; to read — читать), and Miles blenched to the opposite color (а Майлс бледнел в противоположный цвет) as he listened (пока он слушал).

'Another new claimant of the crown (еще один новый претендент на корону)!' cried the officer (вскричал офицер). 'Verily they breed like rabbits to-day (взаправду, они плодятся как кролики сегодня). Seize the rascal, men (хватайте этого негодяя, солдаты), and see ye keep him fast (и смотрите, держите его крепко) while I convey this precious paper within (пока я передам эту драгоценную бумагу внутрь) and send it to the king (и пошлю ее королю).

mesmerize [`mezməraız], carry [`kærı], suspicious [səs`pıSəs], character [`kærəktə]

Miles Hendon saved him the trouble; for he turned about, then, as a man generally will when somebody mesmerizes him by gazing hard at him from behind; and observing a strong interest in the boy's eyes, he stepped toward him and said:

'You have just come out from the palace; do you belong there?'

'Yes, your worship.'

'Know you Sir Humphrey Marlow?'

The boy started, and said to himself, 'Lord! mine old departed father!' Then he answered, aloud, 'Right well, your worship.'

'Good — is he within?'

'Yes,' said the boy; and added, to himself, 'within his grave.'

Might I crave your favor to carry my name to him, and say I beg to say a word in his ear?'

'I will despatch the business right willingly, fair sir.'

'Then say Miles Hendon, son of Sir Richard, is here without — I shall be greatly bounden to you, my good lad.'

The boy looked disappointed — 'the king did not name him so,' he said to himself — 'but it mattereth not, this is his twin brother, and can give his majesty news of t'other Sir-Odds-and-Ends, I warrant.' So he said to Miles, 'Step in there a moment, good sir, and wait till I bring you word.'

Hendon retired to the place indicated — it was a recess sunk in the palace wall, with a stone bench in it — a shelter for sentinels in bad weather. He had hardly seated himself when some halberdiers, in charge of an officer, passed by. The officer saw him, halted his men, and commanded Hendon to come forth. He obeyed, and was promptly arrested as a suspicious character prowling within the precincts of the palace. Things began to look ugly. Poor Miles was going to explain, but the officer roughly silenced him, and ordered his men to disarm him and search him.

'God of his mercy grant that they find somewhat,' said poor Miles; 'I have searched enow, and failed, yet is my need greater than theirs.'

Nothing was found but a document. The officer tore it open, and Hendon smiled when he recognized the 'pot-hooks' made by his lost little friend that black day at Hendon Hall. The officer's face grew dark as he read the English paragraph, and Miles blenched to the opposite color as he listened.

'Another new claimant of the crown!' cried the officer. 'Verily they breed like rabbits to-day. Seize the rascal, men, and see ye keep him fast while I convey this precious paper within and send it to the king.

He hurried away (он поспешил прочь), leaving the prisoner in the grip (оставив пленника в хватке = в руках) of the halberdiers (алебардщиков).

'Now is my evil luck ended at last (теперь моя злая удача = судьба закончена наконец),' muttered Hendon (пробормотал Хендон), 'for I shall dangle at a rope's end (ибо я буду болтаться на конце веревки) for a certainty (определенно), by reason of that bit of writing (по причине этого письмеца; bit — кусочек; writing — писание). And what will become of my poor lad (а что станет с моим бедным мальчиком)! — ah, only the good God knoweth (ах, только добрый Бог знает).'

By and by (вскоре) he saw the officer coming again (он увидел офицера, приходящего снова; to see — видеть), in a great hurry (в великой спешке); so he plucked his courage together (так что он собрал /все/ свое мужество; together — вместе), purposing to meet his trouble (намереваясь встретить свою беду) as became a man (как подобало человеку; to become — подобать). The officer ordered the men to loose the prisoner (офицер приказал солдатам отпустить пленника) and return his sword to him (и вернуть его меч ему); then bowed respectfully (затем поклонился почтительно), and said (и сказал):