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?'