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

The third day of Tom Canty's kingship (третий день царствования Тома Кэнти) came and went (пришел и ушел; to come — приходить; to go — идти, уходить, исчезать) much as the others had done (точно как другие: «как другие сделали»), but there was a lifting of his cloud (но тучи рассеялись: «но было поднятие его облака») in one way (в одном отношении) — he felt less uncomfortable (он чувствовал себя менее неудобно) than at first (чем поначалу); he was getting a little used (он понемногу привыкал: «становился немного привыкшим») to his circumstances and surroundings (к своим обстоятельствам и окружению); his chains still galled (его цепи все еще раздражали его), but not all the time (но не все время); he found that the presence and homage of the great (он обнаружил, что присутствие и почет от великих) afflicted and embarrassed him less and less sharply (огорчали и смущали его все менее и менее остро) with every hour that drifted over his head (с каждым часом, который протекал над его головой).

But for one single dread (если бы не один единственный ужас), he could have seen the fourth day approach (он мог бы видеть, как приближается четвертый день; to approach — приближаться) without serious distress (без серьезных страданий) — the dining in public (обед на публике); it was to begin that day (это должно было начаться в тот день). There were greater matters in the program (были и бóльшие дела в программе) — for on that day (ибо в тот день) he would have to preside (ему предстояло председательствовать) at a council (на совете) which would take his views and commands (который бы принял его мнения и приказы) concerning the policy to be pursued (относительно политики, которой нужно следовать) toward various foreign nations scattered far and near over the great globe (в отношении разных чужих народов, разбросанных далеко и близко по огромному глобусу); on that day, too (в тот день также), Hertford would be formally chosen to the grand office of Lord Protector (Хартфорд был бы формально избран на великую службу Лорда Протектора; to choose — выбирать); other things of note (иные дела, достойные замечания) were appointed for that fourth day also (были назначены на этот четвертый день также), but to Tom they were all insignificant (но для Тома они были все несущественны) compared with the ordeal of dining (по сравнению с испытанием в виде обеда; to compare — сравнивать) all by himself (совершенно самостоятельно) with a multitude of curious eyes fastened upon him (со множеством глаз, устремленных на него; to fasten — прикреплять) and a multitude of mouths whispering comments upon his performance (и множеством ртов, шепчущих комментарии о его поведении; performance — исполнение, выполнение) — and upon his mistakes (и о его ошибках), if he should be so unlucky as to make any (если бы он был столь неудачлив, чтобы сделать какие-либо).

weariness [`wıərınəs], waste [weıst], appoint [ə`pOınt]

THE next day the foreign ambassadors came, with their gorgeous trains; and Tom, throned in awful state, received them. The splendors of the scene delighted his eye and fired his imagination at first, but the audience was long and dreary, and so were most of the addresses — wherefore, what began as a pleasure, grew into weariness and homesickness by and by. Tom said the words which Hertford put into his mouth from time to time, and tried hard to acquit himself satisfactorily, but he was too new to such things, and too ill at ease to accomplish more than a tolerable success. He looked sufficiently like a king, but he was ill able to feel like one. He was cordially glad when the ceremony was ended.

The larger part of his day was 'wasted' — as he termed it, in his own mind — in labors pertaining to his royal office. Even the two hours devoted to certain princely pastimes and recreations were rather a burden to him than otherwise, they were so fettered by restrictions and ceremonious observances. However, he had a private hour with his whipping-boy which he counted clear gain, since he got both entertainment and needful information out of it.

The third day of Tom Canty's kingship came and went much as the others had done, but there was a lifting of his cloud in one way — he felt less uncomfortable than at first; he was getting a little used to his circumstances and surroundings; his chains still galled, but not all the time; he found that the presence and homage of the great afflicted and embarrassed him less and less sharply with every hour that drifted over his head.

But for one single dread, he could have seen the fourth day approach without serious distress — the dining in public; it was to begin that day. There were greater matters in the program — for on that day he would have to preside at a council which would take his views and commands concerning the policy to be pursued toward various foreign nations scattered far and near over the great globe; on that day, too, Hertford would be formally chosen to the grand office of Lord Protector; other things of note were appointed for that fourth day also, but to Tom they were all insignificant compared with the ordeal of dining all by himself with a multitude of curious eyes fastened upon him and a multitude of mouths whispering comments upon his performance- and upon his mistakes, if he should be so unlucky as to make any.

Still (все же), nothing could stop that fourth day (ничто не могло остановить этот четвертый день), and so it came (и вот он пришел). It found poor Tom low-spirited (он нашел Тома подавленным; low spirit — подавленность: «низкий дух») and absent-minded (рассеянным; absent — отсутствующий; mind — разум), and this mood continued (и это настроение продолжалось); he could not shake it off (он не мог стряхнуть его; off — прочь). The ordinary duties of the morning (обычные обязанности утра) dragged upon his hands (тяготили его руки), and wearied him (и утомили его). Once more (снова: «один раз больше») he felt the sense of captivity (он ощутил чувство плена) heavy upon him (тяжело на себе).

Late in the forenoon (поздно утром) he was in a large audience chamber (он был в большой комнате для аудиенций), conversing with the Earl of Hertford (разговаривая с графом Хартфордом) and duly awaiting (и должным образом ожидая) the striking of the hour (часа; to strike — ударять; hour — час) appointed (назначенного) for a visit of ceremony (для церемониального визита) from a considerable number of great officials and courtiers (от значительного числа высокопоставленных чиновников и придворных).