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

Tom did as he was bidden (Том сделал, как его попросили: «как он был попрошен»). Another secretary began to read a preamble (другой секретарь начал читать преамбулу) concerning the expenses of the late king's household (касательно расходов хозяйства покойного короля), which had amounted to 28000 pounds (которые составили 28000 фунтов) during the preceding six months (за предыдущие шесть месяцев) — a sum so vast (сумму настолько огромную) that it made Tom Canty gasp (что она заставила Тома ахнуть от изумления); he gasped again (он ахнул снова) when the fact appeared (когда факт появился = когда выяснилось) that 20000 of this money (что 20000 из этих денег) were still owing and unpaid (были все еще задолжены и невыплачены); and once more (и еще один раз) when it appeared that the king's coffers were about empty (когда выяснилось, что королевская казна почти пуста), and his twelve hundred servants much embarrassed (а его двенадцать сотен = 1200 слуг удручены) for lack of the wages (отсутствием жалования) due them (причитающегося им). Tom spoke out, with lively apprehension (Том громко произнес с сильной тревогой; to speak out — высказываться, громко говорить).

'We be going to the dogs (мы пойдем ко всем чертям = разоримся), 'tis plain (это ясно). 'Tis meet and necessary (это правильно и необходимо) that we take a smaller house (чтобы мы взяли домик поменьше) and set the servants at large (и распустить наших слуг; to set at large — распустить), sith they be of no value but to make delay (так как они не представляют никакой ценности, а только все замедляют; delay — задержка) and trouble one with offices that harass the spirit and shame the soul (и беспокоят человека услугами, которые беспокоят дух и пристыжают душу), they misbecoming any but a doll (они не приличествуют никому, кроме куклы), that hath nor brains nor hands to help itself withal (которая не имеет ни мозга, ни рук, чтобы помочь себе ими). I remember me of a small house (я вспоминаю маленький дом) that standeth over against the fish-market, by Billingsgate — (который стоит напротив рыбного рынка у Билингсгэйта)'

obsequies [`Obsıkwız], preceding [prı`si:dıŋ], signature [`sıgnətSə]

After breakfast he was conducted, with regal ceremony, attended by his great officers and his guard of fifty Gentlemen Pensioners bearing gilt battle-axes, to the throne-room, where he proceeded to transact business of state. His 'uncle' Lord Hertford, took his stand by the throne, to assist he royal mind with wise counsel.

The body of illustrious men named by the late king as his executors, appeared, to ask Tom's approval of certain acts of theirs — rather a form, and yet not wholly a form, since there was no Protector as yet. The Archbishop of Canterbury made report of the decree of the Council of Executors concerning the obsequies of his late most illustrious majesty, and finished by reading the signatures of the executors, to wit: the Archbishop of Canterbury; the Lord Chancellor of England; William Lord St. John; John Lord Russell; Edward Earl of Hertford; John Viscount Lisle; Cuthbert Bishop of Durham —

Tom was not listening — an earlier clause of the document was puzzling him. At this point he turned and whispered to Lord Hertford:

'What day did he say the burial hath been appointed for?'

'The 16th of the coming month, my liege.'

''Tis a strange folly. Will he keep?'

Poor chap, he was still new to the customs of royalty; he was used to seeing the forlorn dead of Offal Court hustled out of the way with a very different sort of expedition. However, the Lord Hertford set his mind at rest with a word or two.

A secretary of state presented an order of the council appointing the morrow at eleven for the reception of the foreign ambassadors, and desired the king's assent.

Tom turned an inquiring look toward Hertford, who whispered:

'Your majesty will signify consent. They come to testify their royal masters' sense of the heavy calamity which hath visited your grace and the realm of England.'

Tom did as he was bidden. Another secretary began to read a preamble concerning the expenses of the late king's household, which had amounted to 28000 pounds during the preceding six months — a sum so vast that it made Tom Canty gasp; he gasped again when the fact appeared that 20000 of this money were still owing and unpaid; and once more when it appeared that the king's coffers were about empty, and his twelve hundred servants much embarrassed for lack of the wages due them. Tom spoke out, with lively apprehension.

'We be going to the dogs, 'tis plain. 'Tis meet and necessary that we take a smaller house and set the servants at large, sith they be of no value but to make delay, and trouble one with offices that harass the spirit and shame the soul, they misbecoming any but a doll, that hath nor brains nor hands to help itself withal. I remember me of a small house that standeth over against the fish-market, by Billingsgate —'

A sharp pressure upon Tom's arm (резкое нажатие на руку Тома) stopped his foolish tongue (остановило его глупый язык) and sent a blush to his face (и послало краску в его лицо); but no countenance there betrayed any sign (но ни одно лицо там не подало ни одного знака) that this strange speech had been remarked or given concern (что эта странная речь была замечена или вызвала беспокойство).

A secretary made report (секретарь сделал доклад) that forasmuch as the late king (что ввиду того, что почивший король) had provided in his will (заявил в своем завещании) for conferring the ducal degree upon the Earl of Hertford (о жаловании герцогского титула графу Хартфорду) and raising his brother, Sir Thomas Seymour (и о поднятии = переводе его брата, сэра Томаса Сеймура), to the peerage (в сословие пэров), and likewise Hertford's son to an earldom (а равно и сына Хартфорда — в графское звание), together similar aggrandizements to other great servants of the crown (вместе с подобными возвышениями другим великим слугам короны), the council had resolved to hold a sitting (совет решил провести заседание) on the 16th February (16 февраля) for the delivering and confirming of these honors (для отдания и подтверждения этих почестей); and that meantime the late king (и что в то же время почивший король) not having granted (не пожаловав), in writing (в письменной форме), estates suitable to the support of these dignities (поместий, пригодных для поддержания этих титулов), the council (совет), knowing his private wishes in that regard (зная его личные желания в этом отношении), had thought proper (счел подобающим) to grant to Seymour '500 pound lands' (пожаловать Сеймуру земли на 500 фунтов) and to Hertford's son '800 pound lands (а сыну Хартфорда — земли на 800 фунтов), and 300 pound of the next bishop's lands (и на 300 фунтов от соседних земель епископа) which should fall vacant (которые могут освободиться),' — his present majesty being willing (при согласии его настоящего величества).