Английский язык с Энтони Хоупом. Узник Зенды

If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe. I intend to do neither of these things. I should be between the Scylla of dullness and the Charybdis of indiscretion, and I feel that I had far better confine myself strictly to the underground drama which was being played beneath the surface of Ruritanian politics. I need only say that the secret of my imposture defied detection. I made mistakes. I had bad minutes: it needed all the tact and graciousness whereof I was master to smooth over some apparent lapses of memory and unmindfulness of old acquaintances of which I was guilty. But I escaped, and I attribute my escape, as I have said before, most of all, to the very audacity of the enterprise. It is my belief that, given the necessary physical likeness, it was far easier to pretend to be King of Ruritania than it would have been to personate my next-door neighbour.

One day Sapt came into my room (однажды Сэпт вошел ко мне в комнату). He threw me a letter, saying (он швырнул мне письмо, сказав):

“That’s for you – a woman’s hand, I think (это вам – женский почерк, я полагаю; hand – рука; почерк). But I’ve some news for you first (но сначала у меня для вас новости).”

“What’s that (что такое)?”

“The King’s at the Castle of Zenda (король в замке Зенды),” said he.

“How do you know (откуда вы знаете)?”

“Because the other half of Michael’s Six are there (потому что там другая половина Шестерых Михаэля). I had enquiries made, and they’re all there – Lauengram, Krafstein, and young Rupert Hentzau (я навел справки, все они там – Лауэнграм, Крафштайн и юный Руперт Хенцо): three rogues, too, on my honour, as fine as live in Ruritania (тоже три негодяя, клянусь честью, самые отпетые в Руритании; fine – прекрасный, превосходный /часто ирон./; большой, крайний /эмоц. – усил./).”

“Well (ну и)?”

“Well, Fritz wants you to march to the Castle with horse, foot, and artillery (ну и Фриц хочет, чтобы вы двинулись туда с кавалерией, пехотой и артиллерией; horse – лошадь, конь; кавалерия, конница /собир./; foot – ступня, нога; пехота).”

“And drag the moat?” I asked (и обшарили дно рва? – спросил я; to drag – тащить, волочить; искать на дне /с помощью трала, багра и т. п./).

“That would be about it,” grinned Sapt (что-то вроде этого, – осклабился Сэпт), “and we shouldn’t find the King’s body then (и нам не следует находить = и лучше бы нам не находить /там/ тело короля тогда).”

“You think it’s certain he’s there (вы думаете, он точно там)?”

“Very probable (очень возможно). Besides the fact of those three being there, the drawbridge is kept up (не считая того факта, что эти трое находятся там, /еще и/ мост держат поднятым), and no one goes in without an order from young Hentzau or Black Michael himself (и никто не /может/ войти внутрь без приказа молодого Хенцо или самого Черного Михаэля). We must tie Fritz up (мы должны утихомирить Фрица; to tie up – привязать; ограничить свободу действий, препятствовать).”

One day Sapt came into my room. He threw me a letter, saying:

“That’s for you – a woman’s hand, I think. But I’ve some news for you first.”

“What’s that?”

“The King’s at the Castle of Zenda,” said he.

“How do you know?”

“Because the other half of Michael’s Six are there. I had enquiries made, and they’re all there – Lauengram, Krafstein, and young Rupert Hentzau: three rogues, too, on my honour, as fine as live in Ruritania.”

“Well?”

“Well, Fritz wants you to march to the Castle with horse, foot, and artillery.”

“And drag the moat?’I asked.

“That would be about it,” grinned Sapt, “and we shouldn’t find the King’s body then.”

“You think it’s certain he’s there?”

“Very probable. Besides the fact of those three being there, the drawbridge is kept up, and no one goes in without an order from young Hentzau or Black Michael himself. We must tie Fritz up.”

“I’ll go to Zenda (я поеду в Зенду),” said I.

“You’re mad (вы сошли с ума).”

“Some day (когда-нибудь /сойду/).”

“Oh, perhaps (о, возможно). You’ll very likely stay there though, if you do (хотя, очень вероятно, что вы останетесь там, если поедете).”

“That may be, my friend,” said I carelessly (все может быть, мой друг, – беспечно ответил я).

“His Majesty looks sulky,” observed Sapt (его величество выглядят угрюмо, – заметил Сэпт). “How’s the love affair (как на любовном фронте; affair – дело; любовная история, роман)?”

“Damn you, hold your tongue (черт возьми, придержите свой язык)!” I said.