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

dangerous [`deınGərəs], banquet [`bæŋkwıt], anxious [`æŋkSəs]

Tom mumbled something that stood for assent, but felt that he was getting upon dangerous ground. Somewhat later it was mentioned that Tom was to study no more at present, whereupon her little ladyship exclaimed:

''Tis a pity, 'tis such a pity! Thou were proceeding bravely. But bide thy time in patience; it will not be for long. Thou'lt yet be graced with learning like thy father, and make thy tongue master of as many languages as his, good my prince.'

'My father!' cried Tom, off his guard for the moment. 'I trow he cannot speak his own so that any but the swine that wallow in the sties may tell his meaning; and as for learning of any sort soever —'

He looked up and encountered a solemn warning in my Lord St. John's eyes.

He stopped, blushed, then continued low and sadly: 'Ah, my malady persecuteth me again, and my mind wandereth. I meant the king's grace no irreverence.'

'We know it, sir,' said the Princess Elizabeth, taking her 'brother's' hand between her two palms, respectfully but caressingly; 'trouble not thyself as to that. The fault is none of thine, but thy distemper's.'

'Thou'rt a gentle comforter, sweet lady,' said Tom, gratefully, 'and my heart moveth me to thank thee for't, and I may be so bold.'

Once the giddy little Lady Jane fired a simple Greek phrase at Tom. The Princess Elizabeth's quick eye saw by the serene blankness of the target's front that the shaft was overshot; so she tranquilly delivered a return volley of sounding Greek on Tom's behalf, and then straightway changed the talk to other matters.

Time wore on pleasantly, and likewise smoothly, on the whole. Snags and sand-bars grew less and less frequent, and Tom grew more and more at his ease, seeing that all were so lovingly bent upon helping him and overlooking his mistakes. When it came out that the little ladies were to accompany him to the Lord Mayor's banquet in the evening, his heart gave a bound of relief and delight, for he felt that he should not be friendless now, among that multitude of strangers, whereas, an hour earlier, the idea of their going with him would have been an insupportable terror to him.

Tom's guardian angels, the two lords, had had less comfort in the interview than the other parties to it. They felt much as if they were piloting a great ship through a dangerous channel; they were on the alert constantly, and found their office no child's play. Wherefore, at last, when the ladies' visit was drawing to a close and the Lord Guilford Dudley was announced, they not only felt that their charge had been sufficiently taxed for the present, but also that they themselves were not in the best condition to take their ship back and make their anxious voyage all over again. So they respectfully advised Tom to excuse himself, which he was very glad to do, although a slight shade of disappointment might have been observed upon my Lady Jane's face when she heard the splendid stripling denied admittance.

There was a pause now (теперь настала пауза), a sort of waiting silence (что-то вроде ожидающего молчания) which Tom could not understand (которое Том не мог понять). He glanced at Lord Hertford (он взглянул на лорда Хартфорда), who gave him a sign (который подал ему знак) — but he failed to understand that also (но он не смог понять его тоже; to fail — не суметь что-то сделать, провалиться). The ready Elizabeth came to the rescue (готовая Элизабет пришла на помощь) with her usual easy grace (со своим обычным тактом). She made reverence and said (она поклонилась и сказала):

'Have we leave (имеем ли мы позволение) of the prince's grace my brother (от его милости принца, нашего брата) to go (идти)?'

Tom said (Том сказал):

'Indeed (действительно), your ladyships can have (ваши милости могут получить) whatsoever of me they will (что угодно от меня, что они захотят = все, что они хотят от меня), for the asking (за просьбу); yet would I rather give them any other thing (и все же скорее я дал бы им любую другую вещь) that in my poor power lieth (которая будет в моих слабых силах; lieth — устар. вместо lies от to lie — лежать) than leave to take the light and blessing of their presence hence (чем позволение забрать свет и благословение их присутствия отсюда = позволение уйти). Give ye good den (дайте вам хорошее укрытие = прощайте), and God be with ye (и Господь да пребудет с вами; ye — устар. вместо you)!' Then he smiled inwardly (затем он улыбнулся внутренне) at the thought (при мысли), ''tis not for naught (не напрасно; naught — ничто) I have dwelt (я жил; to dwell — проживать) but among princes in my reading (только среди принцев в моем чтении), and taught my tongue some slight trick (и научил свой язык некоторым тонким трюкам) of their broidered and gracious speech (их цветистой и любезной речи) withal (этим = таким образом)!'

When the illustrious maidens were gone (когда блистательные девушки ушли), Tom turned wearily to his keepers and said (Том повернулся устало к своим стражам и сказал):

'May it please your lordships (будут ли так любезны ваши светлости) to grant me leave (дать мне позволение) to go into some corner (пойти в какой-нибудь уголок) and rest me (и отдохнуть: «упокоить меня»)!'

Lord Hertford said (лорд Хартфорд сказал):

'So please your highness (как угодно вашему высочеству), it is for you to command (это вам пристало приказывать: «это есть для вас приказывать»), it is for us to obey (а нам пристало повиноваться). That thou shouldst rest (чтобы ты отдохнул), is indeed a needful thing (есть действительно надобная вещь), since thou must journey to the city presently (ибо ты должен отправиться в город вскоре).'

He touched a bell (он тронул колокольчик) and a page appeared (и появился паж), who was ordered (которому было приказано) to desire the presence of Sir William Herbert (желать присутствия = просить сэра Уильяма Герберта). This gentleman came straightway (этот джентльмен пришел тотчас), and conducted Tom to an inner apartment (и провел Тома во внутренние покои). Tom's first movement there (первым движением Тома там) was to reach (было потянуться) for a cup of water (за кружкой воды); but a silk-and-velvet servitor (но слуга, одетый в шелк и бархат) seized it (схватил ее), dropped upon one knee (рухнул на одно колено), and offered it to him (и предложил ее ему) on a golden salver (на золотом подносе).