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

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.