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

'There be times that she stayeth her hand, being asleep or overcome with drink; but when she hath her judgment clear again, she maketh it up to me with goodly beatings.'

A fierce look came into the little prince's eyes, and he cried out:

'What! Beatings?'

'O, indeed, yes, please you, sir.'

'Beatings! — and thou so frail and little. Hark ye: before the night come, she shall hie her to the Tower. The king my father —'

'In sooth, you forget, sir, her low degree. The Tower is for the great alone.'

'True, indeed. I had not thought of that. I will consider of her punishment. Is thy father kind to thee?'

'Not more than Gammer Canty, sir.'

'Fathers be alike, mayhap. Mine hath not a doll's temper. He smiteth with a heavy hand, yet spareth me; he spareth me not always with his tongue, though, sooth to say. How doth thy mother use thee?'

'She is good, sir, and giveth me neither sorrow nor pain of any sort. And Nan and Bet are like to her in this.'

'How old be these?'

'Fifteen, an it please you, sir.'

'The Lady Elizabeth, my sister, is fourteen and the Lady Jane Grey, my cousin, is of mine own age, and comely and gracious withal; but my sister the Lady Mary, with her gloomy mien and — Look you: do thy sisters forbid their servants to smile, lest the sin destroy their souls?'

'They? Oh, dost think, sir, that they have servants?'

The little prince contemplated the little pauper gravely a moment, then said:

'And prithee, why not? Who helpeth them undress at night? who attireth them when they rise?'

'None, sir. Wouldst have them take off their garment, and sleep without — like the beasts?'

'Their garment! Have they but one?'

'Ah, good your worship, what would they do with more? Truly, they have not two bodies each.'

'It is a quaint and marvelous thought (это странная и удивительная мысль)! Thy pardon (прости: «твое прощение»), I had not meant (я не имел в виду = не хотел) to laugh (смеяться). But thy good Nan and thy Bet shall have raiment (но твои добрые Нэн и твоя Бет будут иметь одеяния) and lackeys (и лакеев) enow (достаточно; вместо enough), and that soon, too (и это будет скоро; soon — скоро; too — тоже): my cofferer shall look to it (мой казначей присмотрит за этим). No, thank me not (нет, не благодари меня); 'tis nothing (это ничего; ‘tis = it is — это есть). Thou speakest well (ты говоришь хорошо); thou hast an easy grace in it (ты обладаешь легким = природным изяществом в этом). Art learned (ты обучен наукам; art — ты есть, устар. вместо are)?'

'I know not if I am or not, sir (я не знаю, так это или нет). The good priest (добрый священник) that is called Father Andrew (которого зовут отец Эндрю) taught me (научил меня), of his kindness (по своей доброте), from his books (по своим книгам: «из своих книг»).'

'Know'st thou the Latin (знаешь ли ты латынь)?'

'But scantily, sir (только немного, сэр), I doubt (я сомневаюсь).'