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

'Thou art the king (ты король)!' solemnly responded the earl (торжественно ответствовал граф), with a reverence (с поклоном). 'Have I your grace's leave to act (имею ли я позволение вашего величества действовать = узнать, в чем дело; leave — позволение)?'

'Oh, blithely, yes (о, с радостью, да)! Oh, gladly, yes (о, с удовольствием, да)!' exclaimed Tom, excitedly (воскликнул Том возбужденно), adding to himself with a lively sense of satisfaction (добавляя про себя с живым чувством удовлетворения), 'In truth (по правде говоря), being a king is not all dreariness (быть королем — это не только скука = не так уж плохо; dreariness — тусклость; скука) — it hath its compensations and conveniences (это имеет свои вознаграждения и удобства; compensation — компенсация).'

The earl called a page (граф позвал пажа), and sent him to the captain of the guard (и послал его к капитану гвардии; to send — посылать, отправлять) with the order (с приказом):

'Let the mob be halted (пусть толпа будет задержана), and inquiry made (и (пусть будет) расследование проведено), concerning the occasion of its movement (касательно причины этого движения). By the king's command (по приказу короля)!'

A few seconds later (несколькими секундами позже) a long rank of the royal guards (длинный строй королевских гвардейцев), cased in flashing steel (закованных в сверкающую сталь; to case — упаковывать, обшивать, оправлять в оправу), filed out at the gates (вышли шеренгой у ворот) and formed across the highway (и построились поперек дороги) in front of the multitude (перед толпой). A messenger returned (посланник вернулся), to report that the crowd were following a man, a woman, and a young girl (чтобы сообщить, что толпа следовала за мужчиной, женщиной и молодой девушкой) to execution for crimes (до (места) казни за преступления) committed against the peace and dignity of the realm (совершенные против мира и достоинства королевства).

duly [`dju:lı], curiosity [kjuərı`Osıtı], realm [relm]

Still, nothing could stop that fourth day, and so it came. It found poor Tom low-spirited and absent-minded, and this mood continued; he could not shake it off. The ordinary duties of the morning dragged upon his hands, and wearied him. Once more he felt the sense of captivity heavy upon him.

Late in the forenoon he was in a large audience chamber, conversing with the Earl of Hertford and duly awaiting the striking of the hour appointed for a visit of ceremony from a considerable number of great officials and courtiers.

After a little while Tom, who had wandered to a window and become interested in the life and movement of the great highway beyond the palace gates — and not idly interested, but longing with all his heart to take part in person in its stir and freedom — saw the van of a hooting and shouting mob of disorderly men, women, and children of the lowest and poorest degree approaching from up the road.

'I would I knew what 'tis about!' he exclaimed, with all a boy's curiosity in such happenings.

'Thou art the king!' solemnly responded the earl, with a reverence. 'Have I your grace's leave to act?'

'Oh, blithely, yes! Oh, gladly, yes!' exclaimed Tom, excitedly, adding to himself with a lively sense of satisfaction, 'In truth, being a king is not all dreariness — it hath its compensations and conveniences.'

The earl called a page, and sent him to the captain of the guard with the order: