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

'She is good, sir (она добра, сэр), and giveth me neither sorrow nor pain (и не дает = причиняет мне ни скорби, ни боли) of any sort (какого-либо рода). And Nan and Bet are like to her in this (и Нэн и Бет похожи на нее в этом).'

'How old be these (сколько им лет)?'

'Fifteen, an it please you, sir (пятнадцать, с вашего позволения, сэр).'

'The Lady Elizabeth, my sister, is fourteen (леди Элизабет, моей сестре, 14) and the Lady Jane Grey, my cousin (а леди Джейн Грей, моя кузина), is of mine own age (моего возраста), and comely and gracious withal (и миловидная и грациозная к тому же); but my sister the Lady Mary, with her gloomy mien and — (но моя сестра леди Мэри, со своей мрачной миной и) Look you (слушай: «смотри ты»): do thy sisters forbid (запрещают ли твои сестры) their servants (своим слугам) to smile (улыбаться), lest the sin destroy their souls (чтобы грех не разрушил их души; lest — чтобы не)?'

'They (они)? Oh, dost think, sir (о, думаешь ли ты, сэр), that they have servants (что у них есть слуги)?'

The little prince contemplated (маленький принц разглядывал) the little pauper (маленького нищего) gravely (серьезно) a moment (минутку), then said (затем сказал):

'And prithee (а прошу /сказать/), why not (почему нет)? Who helpeth them undress at night (кто помогает им раздеваться вечером: «ночью»)? who attireth them when they rise (кто наряжает их, когда они встают)?'

'None (никто) о, sir (о, сэр). Wouldst have them (хотели бы вы (чтобы они) = знайте, что они) take off their garment (снимают свою одежду), and sleep without (и спят без /одежды/) — like the beasts (как звери)?'

'Their garment (свою одежду)! Have they but one (неужели у них только одно /платье/)?'

'Ah, good your worship (ах, ваша милость), what would they do with more (что бы они делали с большим (количеством одежды); more — больше)? Truly (истинно), they have not two bodies each (они не имеют по два тела каждая).'

interfere [ıntə`fıə], encounter [ın`kauntə], precious [`preSəs]

The soldiers presented arms with their halberds, opened the gates, and presented again as the little Prince of Poverty passed in, in his fluttering rags, to join hands with the Prince of Limitless Plenty. Edward Tudor said:

'Thou lookest tired and hungry; thou'st been treated ill. Come with me.'

Half a dozen attendants sprang forward to — I don't know what; interfere, no doubt. But they were waved aside with a right royal gesture, and they stopped stock still where they were like so many statues. Edward took Tom to a rich apartment in the palace, which he called his cabinet. By his command a repast was brought such as Tom had never encountered before except in books. The prince, with princely delicacy and breeding, sent away the servants, so that his humble guest might not be embarrassed by their critical presence; then he sat near by, and asked questions while Tom ate.

'What is thy name, lad?'

'Tom Canty, an it please thee, sir.'

''Tis an odd one. Where dost live?'

'In the city, please thee, sir. Offal Court, out of Pudding Lane.'

'Offal Court! Truly, 'tis another odd one. Hast parents?'

'Parents have I, sir, and a grandam likewise that is but indifferently precious to me, God forgive me if it be offense to say it — also twin sisters, Nan and Bet.'

'Then is thy grandam not overkind to thee, I take it.'

'Neither to any other is she, so please your worship. She hath a wicked heart, and worketh evil all her days.'

'Doth she mistreat thee?'