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

physician [fı`zıS(ə)n], heir [eə], earl [q:l], grievously [`gri:vəslı]

The king said:

''Twas not according to his schooling and ability, but sheweth that his mind is but diseased, not stricken fatally. How say you, sir?'

The physician addressed bowed low, and replied:

'It jumpeth with mine own conviction, sire, that thou hast divined aright.'

The king looked pleased with this encouragement, coming as it did from so excellent authority, and continued with good heart:

'Now mark ye all: we will try him further.'

He put a question to Tom in French. Tom stood silent a moment, embarrassed by having so many eyes centered upon him, then said diffidently:

'I have no knowledge of this tongue, so please your majesty.'

The king fell back upon his couch. The attendants flew to his assistance; but he put them aside, and said:

'Trouble me not — it is nothing but a scurvy faintness. Raise me! there, 'tis sufficient. Come hither, child; there, rest thy poor troubled head upon thy father's heart, and be at peace. Thou'lt soon be well; 'tis but a passing fantasy. Fear thou not; thou'lt soon be well.' Then he turned toward the company; his gentle manner changed, and baleful lightnings began to play from his eyes. He said:

'List ye all! This my son is mad; but it is not permanent. Overstudy hath done this, and somewhat too much of confinement. Away with his books and teachers! see ye to it. Pleasure him with sports, beguile him in wholesome ways, so that his health come again.' He raised himself higher still and went on with energy. 'He is mad; but he is my son, and England's heir; and, mad or sane, still shall he reign! And hear ye further, and proclaim it; whoso speaketh of this his distemper worketh against the peace and order of these realms, and shall to the gallows!... Give me to drink — I burn: This sorrow sappeth my strength... There, take away the cup... Support me. There, that is well. Mad, is he? Were he a thousand times mad, yet is he Prince of Wales, and I the king will confirm it. This very morrow shall he be installed in his princely dignity in due and ancient form. Take instant order for it, my Lord Hertford.'

One of the nobles knelt at the royal couch, and said:

'The king's majesty knoweth that the Hereditary Great Marshal of England lieth attainted in the Tower. It were not meet that one attainted —'

'Peace! Insult not mine ears with his hated name. Is this man to live forever? Am I to be balked of my will? Is the prince to tarry uninstalled, because, forsooth, the realm lacketh an earl marshal free of treasonable taint to invest him with his honors? No, by the splendor of God! Warn my parliament to bring me Norfolk's doom before the sun rise again, else shall they answer for it grievously!

Lord Hertford said (лорд Хартфорд сказал):

'The king's will is law (воля короля закон)'; and, rising (и, встав), returned to his former place (вернулся на свое прежнее место).

Gradually (постепенно) the wrath faded out (гнев исчез; to fade out — исчезать; to fade — вянуть, увядать) of the old king's face (с лица старого короля), and he said (и он сказал):

'Kiss me (поцелуй меня), my prince (мой принц). There (так)... what fearest thou (чего боишься ты)? Am I not thy loving father (неужели я не твой любящий отец)?'

'Thou art good to me that am unworthy (ты добр ко мне, кто (т.е. я) недостоин), O mighty and gracious lord (о могущественный и милосердный лорд); that in truth I know (это поистине я знаю). But (но) — but — it grieveth me (печалит меня) to think of him that is to die (думать о том, кому суждено умереть), and (и) —'

'Ah, 'tis like thee, 'tis like thee (а, это похоже на тебя: «это есть как ты»)! I know thy heart is still the same (я знаю, твое сердце все еще такое же /как раньше/), even though thy mind hath suffered hurt (хотя твой разум и перенес ущерб; to suffer — страдать, переносить), for thou wert ever (ибо ты всегда был) of a gentle spirit (нежного нрава). But this duke (но этот герцог) standeth between thee and thine honors (стоит между тобой и твоими высокими почестями): I will have another in his stead (я назначу другого вместо него: «в его месте») that shall bring no taint to his great office (который не запятнает свою высокую службу: «не принесет никакого пятна»). Comfort thee (успокойся), my prince (мой принц): trouble not thy poor head with this matter (не мучай свою бедную голову этим делом).'

'But is it not I that speed him hence (но разве не я ускоряю его /путь/ отсюда), my liege (мой сеньор; liege — вассал, ленник; сеньор)? How long might he not live (как долго мог бы он прожить), but for me (если бы не я)?'

'Take no thought of him (не бери никакой мысли = не думай о нем), my prince (мой принц): he is not worthy (он не стоит /того/). Kiss me once again (поцелуй меня еще раз), and go to thy trifles (и иди к своим пустякам) and amusements (и забавам); for my malady distresseth me (ибо моя болезнь причиняет мне страдания). I am aweary (я утомлен), and would rest (и хотел бы отдохнуть). Go with thine uncle Hertford and thy people (иди с твоим дядей Хартфордом и твоими людьми = слугами), and come again (и приходи снова) when my body is refreshed (когда мое тело будет освеженным, отдохнувшим).'

Tom, heavy-hearted (Том, с тяжелым сердцем), was conducted from the presence (был уведен от короля; presence — присутствие; Presence — король), for this last sentence (ибо его последняя фраза) was a death-blow (была смертельным ударом) to the hope he had cherished (по надежде, которую он лелеял) that now he would be set free (что теперь он будет отпущен на свободу). Once more he heard the buzz of low voices exclaiming (снова он услышал гул тихих голосов, восклицающих), 'The prince, the prince comes (принц, принц идет)!'

His spirits sank lower and lower (его дух падал (все) ниже и ниже) as he moved between the glittering files (пока он двигался между блистающими рядами) of bowing courtiers (кланяющихся придворных); for he recognized that he was indeed a captive now (ибо он узнал, что он был действительно пленником сейчас), and might remain forever shut up (и мог остаться навсегда запертым) in this gilded cage (в этой золоченой клетке), a forlorn and friendless prince (одинокий и лишенный друзей принц), except God in his mercy (разве что Бог в Своем милосердии) take pity on him (сжалится над ним) and set him free (и отпустит его на свободу; to set — устанавливать, делать).