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

Tom stared at the tranquil boy (Том уставился на спокойного мальчика), observing to himself (говоря себе), 'Lo, it is a wonderful thing (гляди-ка, это удивительная вещь) — a most strange and curious trade (весьма странное и любопытное ремесло); I marvel they have not hired a boy (я удивляюсь, что они не наняли мальчика; to hire — нанимать) to take my combings and my dressings for me (чтобы принимать мои расчесывания и одевания за меня = чтобы их расчесывали и одевали за меня) — would heaven they would (если бы небо велело им сделать это)! — an they will do this thing (если они сделают эту вещь), I will take my lashings in mine own person (я приму свою порку своей собственной персоной), giving thanks to God for the change (вознося благодарения Богу за такую перемену).'

escape [ıs`keıp], private [`praıvıt], combing [`kqumıŋ]

''Tis strange how my memory doth wanton with me these

days,' said Tom. 'But mind it not — I mend apace — a little clue doth often serve to bring me back again the things and names which had escaped me. (And not they, only, forsooth, but e'en such as I ne'er heard before — as this lad shall see.) Give thy business speech.'

''Tis matter of small weight, my liege, yet will I touch upon it, an it please your grace. Two days gone by, when your majesty faulted thrice in your Greek — in the morning lessons — dost remember it?'

'Ye-e-s- methinks I do. (It is not much of a lie — an I had meddled with the Greek at all, I had not faulted simply thrice, but forty times). Yes, I do recall it now — go on.'

'The master, being wroth with what he termed such slovenly and doltish work, did promise that he would soundly whip me for it — and —'

'Whip thee!' said Tom, astonished out of his presence of mind. 'Why should he whip thee for faults of mine?'

'Ah, your grace forgetteth again. He always scourgeth me, when thou dost fail in thy lessons.'

'True, true — I had forgot. Thou teachest me in private- then if I fail, he argueth that thy office was lamely done, and —'

'Oh, my liege, what words are these? I, the humblest of thy servants, presume to teach thee!'

'Then where is thy blame? What riddle is this? Am I in truth gone mad, or is it thou? Explain- speak out.'

'But, good your majesty, there's naught that needeth simplifying. None may visit the sacred person of the Prince of Wales with blows; wherefore when he faulteth, 'tis I that take them; and meet it is and right, for that it is mine office and my livelihood.'

Tom stared at the tranquil boy, observing to himself, 'Lo, it is a wonderful thing — a most strange and curious trade; I marvel they have not hired a boy to take my combings and my dressings for me — would heaven they would! — an they will do this thing, I will take my lashings in mine own person, giving thanks to God for the change.'

Then he said aloud (затем он сказал вслух):

'And hast thou been beaten (и был ли ты побит; to beat — бить), poor friend (бедный друг), according to the promise (в соответствии с обещанием)?'