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

Return we within the Guildhall (вернемся в Ратушу). Suddenly (внезапно), high above the jubilant roar and thunder of the revel (поверх ликующего рева и грома веселья), broke the clear peal of a bugle-note (прорвался ясный звук рога). There was instant silence (настала немедленная тишина) — a deep hush (глубокое молчание); then a single voice rose (тогда единственный голос поднялся = раздался; to rise — подниматься) — that of the messenger from the palace (тот = голос вестника из дворца) — and began to pipe forth a proclamation (и начал пронзительно читать прокламацию; to pipe — пищать; forth — вперед), the whole multitude standing, listening (целая толпа стоящая, слушающая = и все стояли и слушали). The closing words (закрывающие = завершающие слова), solemnly pronounced (торжественно произнесенные) were (были):

'The king is dead! (король умер)'

The great assemblage bent their heads upon their breasts with one accord (великое собрание склонило головы на грудь в едином порыве; to bend — гнуть); remained so (оставалось так = в таком положении), in profound silence (в глубоком молчании), a few moments (несколько секунд), then all sunk upon their knees in a body (затем все упали на колени как один: «в одном теле»; to sink — погружаться, опускаться), stretched out their hands towards Tom (протянули свои руки к Тому), and a mighty shout burst forth (и могучий крик вырвался вперед; to burst — взрываться) that seemed to shake the building (которые, казалось, потрясли здание):

'Long live the king (да здравствует король!)'

Poor Tom's dazed eyes wandered abroad (изумленные глаза бедного Тома блуждали) over this stupefying spectacle (над этим ошеломляющим зрелищем), and finally rested dreamily upon the kneeling princesses beside him a moment (в конце концов остановились, как во сне, на коленопреклоненных принцессах рядом с ним на секунду), then upon the Earl of Hertford (затем на графе Хартфорде). A sudden purpose dawned in his face (внезапная решимость засветилась на его лице). He said, in a low tone (он сказал тихим голосом), at Lord Hertford's ear (на ухо лорду Хартфорду):

'Answer me truly, on thy faith and honor (ответь мне правдиво, по твоей чести и совести)! Uttered I here a command (отдай я здесь приказ), the which none but a king might hold privilege and prerogative to utter (какого никто кроме короля не имел бы права произнести), would such commandment be obeyed (был бы такой приказ исполнен; to obey — подчиняться), and none rise up to say me nay (и никто не встал бы сказать мне нет)?'

'None, my liege, in all these realms (никто, мой повелитель, во всем этом царстве). In thy person bides the majesty of England (в твоем лице пребывает величие Англии). Thou art the king (ты король) — thy word is law (твое слово закон).'

Tom responded (Том ответил), in a strong, earnest voice (сильным, серьезным голосом), and with great animation (и с великим оживлением):

'Then shall the king's law be law of mercy (тогда закон короля будет законом милосердия), from this day (с этого дня), and never more be law of blood (и никогда больше не будет законом крови)! Up from thy knees and away (вверх = встаньте с колен и прочь = идите)! To the Tower (в Тауэр) and say the king decrees the Duke of Norfolk shall not die (и скажите, что король постановляет, что герцог Норфолкский не умрет)!'

The words were caught up (эти слова были подхвачены; to catch up — подхватить) and carried eagerly from lip to lip (и передавались энергично из уст в уста; to carry — нести; lip — губа) far and wide over the hall (по всему залу: «далеко и широко над залом»), and as Hertford hurried from the presence (и когда Хартфорд поспешил от его величества), another prodigious shout burst forth (другой мощный крик вырвался):

'The reign of blood is ended (правление крови закончено)! Long live Edward king of England (да здравствует Эдуард, король Англии)!'

threadbare [`θredbeə], purpose [`pə:pəs], privilege [`prıv(ə)lıG]

The speaker was a sort of Don Caesar de Bazan in dress, aspect, and bearing. He was tall, trim-built, muscular. His doublet and trunks were of rich material, but faded and threadbare, and their gold-lace adornments were sadly tarnished; his ruff was rumpled and damaged; the plume in his slouched hat was broken and had a bedraggled and disreputable look; at his side he wore a long rapier in a rusty iron sheath; his swaggering carriage marked him at once as a ruffler of the camp. The speech of this fantastic figure was received with an explosion of jeers and laughter. Some cried, ''Tis another prince in disguise!' ''Ware thy tongue, friend, belike he is dangerous!' 'Marry, he looketh it — mark his eye!' 'Pluck the lad from him — to the horse-pond wi' the cub!'

Instantly a hand was laid upon the prince, under the impulse of this happy thought; as instantly the stranger's long sword was out and the meddler went to the earth under a sounding thump with the flat of it. The next moment a score of voices shouted 'Kill the dog! kill him! kill him!' and the mob closed in on the warrior, who backed himself against a wall and began to lay about him with his long weapon like a madman. His victims sprawled this way and that, but the mob-tide poured over their prostrate forms and dashed itself against the champion with undiminished fury. His moments seemed numbered, his destruction certain, when suddenly a trumpet-blast sounded, a voice shouted, 'Way for the king's messenger!' and a troop of horsemen came charging down upon the mob, who fled out of harm's reach as fast as their legs could carry them. The bold stranger caught up the prince in his arms, and was soon far away from danger and the multitude.

Return we within the Guildhall. Suddenly, high above the jubilant roar and thunder of the revel, broke the clear peal of a bugle-note. There was instant silence — a deep hush; then a single voice rose- that of the messenger from the palace — and began to pipe forth a proclamation, the whole multitude standing, listening. The closing words, solemnly pronounced were:

'The king is dead!'

The great assemblage bent their heads upon their breasts with one accord; remained so, in profound silence, a few moments, then all sunk upon their knees in a body, stretched out their hands towards Tom, and a mighty shout burst forth that seemed to shake the building: