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

'How now (как так), my lord Edward (милорд Эдуард), my prince (мой принц)? Hast been minded to cozen me (ты был настроен = собирался морочить меня), the good king thy father (доброго короля, твоего отца), who loveth thee (который любит тебя), and kindly useth thee (и по-доброму обращается с тобой), with a sorry jest (мрачной шуткой)?'

Poor Tom was listening (бедный Том слушал), as well as (насколько) his dazed faculties (его потрясенные чувства) would let him (позволяли ему), to the beginning (начало) of this speech (этой речи); but when the words (но когда слова) 'me the good king (меня, доброго короля)' fell upon his ear (достигли его ушей; to fall — падать), his face blanched (его лицо побледнело), and he dropped as instantly upon his knees (и он упал так внезапно на колени) as if (как если бы) a shot (выстрел) had brought him there (заставил его сделать это: «принес его туда»; to bring — приносить). Lifting up his hands (воздымая руки), he exclaimed (он воскликнул):

'Thou the king (ты король)? Then am I undone indeed (тогда я погиб вправду)!'

This speech seemed to stun the king (эти слова, казалось, оглушили короля; speech — речь). His eyes wandered (его глаза блуждали) from face to face aimlessly (от лица к лицу бесцельно), then rested (затем остановились), bewildered (удивленные), upon the boy before him (на мальчике перед ним). Then he said in a tone of deep disappointment (затем он произнес тоном глубокого разочарования):

'Alack (увы — устар. вместо alas), I had believed (я верил /что/) the rumor disproportioned (слухи не соответствовали) to the truth (правде); but I fear me (но я боюсь) 'tis not so (/что/ это не так; ‘tis = it is).' He breathed a heavy sigh (он тяжело вздохнул; to breathe — дышать; sigh — вздох), and said in a gentle voice (и сказал мягким голосом), 'Come to thy father, child (иди к своему отцу, дитя); thou art not well (ты нездоров)'

strange [streınG], slightly [`slaıtlı], countenance [`kauntqnqns], cozen [kAzn], alas [q`lxs], sigh [saı]

Poor Tom came slowly walking past the low-bowing groups, trying to bow in return, and meekly gazing upon his strange surroundings with bewildered and pathetic eyes. Great nobles walked upon each side of him, making him lean upon them, and so steady his steps. Behind him followed the court physicians and some servants.

Presently Tom found himself in a noble apartment of the palace, and heard the door close behind him. Around him stood those who had come with him.

Before him, at a little distance, reclined a very large and very fat man, with a wide, pulpy face, and a stern expression. His large head was very gray; and his whiskers, which he wore only around his face, like a frame, were gray also. His clothing was of rich stuff, but old, and slightly frayed in places. One of his swollen legs had a pillow under it, and was wrapped in bandages. There was silence now; and there was no head there but was bent in reverence, except this man's. This stern-countenanced invalid was the dread Henry VIII. He said — and his face grew gentle as he began to speak:

'How now, my lord Edward, my prince? Hast been minded to cozen me, the good king thy father, who loveth thee, and kindly useth thee, with a sorry jest?'

Poor Tom was listening, as well as his dazed faculties would let him, to the beginning of this speech; but when the words 'me the good king' fell upon his ear, his face blanched, and he dropped as instantly upon his knees as if a shot had brought him there. Lifting up his hands, he exclaimed:

'Thou the king? Then am I undone indeed!'

This speech seemed to stun the king. His eyes wandered from face to face aimlessly, then rested, bewildered, upon the boy before him. Then he said in a tone of deep disappointment:

'Alack, I had believed the rumor disproportioned to the truth; but I fear me 'tis not so.' He breathed a heavy sigh, and said in a gentle voice, 'Come to thy father, child; thou art not well.'

Tom was assisted to his feet (Тому помогли встать: «на ноги»), and approached (и /его/ подвели к) the Majesty of England (его английскому Величеству), humble and trembling (покорного и дрожащего). The king took the frightened face (король взял испуганное лицо) between his hands (в руки: «между руками»), and gazed earnestly and lovingly into it awhile (и всматривался серьезно и с любовью в него какое-то время), as if seeking (как будто ища) some grateful sign (какого-то живительный знак) of returning reason there (возвращающегося рассудка там = в нем), then pressed (затем прижал) the curly head against his breast (кудрявую голову к груди), and patted it tenderly (и потрепал ее нежно). Presently he said (затем он сказал):

'Dost thou know thy father, child (ты знаешь своего отца, дитя)? Break not (не разбивай — устар. вместо don’t break) mine old heart (мое старое сердце; mine — здесь: устар. вместо my); say thou know'st me (скажи, (что) ты знаешь меня). Thou dost know me (ты ведь знаешь меня), dost thou not (разве нет)?'

'Yea (да); thou art my dread lord the king (ты мой грозный господин король), whom God preserve (которого Господь да хранит).'

'True, true (верно, верно) — that is well (это хорошо) — be comforted (будь спокоен), tremble not so (не дрожи так; устар. вместо don’t tremble); there is none here (здесь нет никого) who would hurt thee (кто бы обидел тебя); there is none here but loves thee (здесь нет никого, кроме /тех, кто/ любит тебя). Thou art better now (тебе лучше сейчас); thy ill dream passeth (твой злой сон проходит) — is't not so (разве не так; is’t = is it)? And thou knowest thyself now also (и ты знаешь сам теперь тоже) — is't not so (разве не так)? Thou wilt not miscall thyself again (ты не будешь неправильно называть себя снова), as they say thou didst a little while agone (как, говорят, ты делал недавно)?'

'I pray thee of thy grace (я молю тебя из твоей милости) believe me (поверь мне), I did but speak the truth (я только сказал правду), most dread lord (суровейший господин); for I am the meanest (ибо я самый низкий) among thy subjects (среди твоих подданных), being a pauper born (будучи бедняком рожден), and 'tis by a sore mischance and accident (и по злому несчастью и случайности) I am here (я здесь), albeit I was therein nothing blameful (хотя я в этом неповинен; to blame — винить). I am but young to die (я слишком молод, чтобы умереть), and thou canst save me with one little word (и ты можешь спасти меня одним маленьким словом). Oh, speak it, sir (о, произнесите его, сэр)!'