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

He was soon in the midst (он оказался скоро посреди) of a crowd of boys (толпы мальчишек) who were running, jumping (которые бегали, прыгали), playing at ball and leap-frog (играли в мяч и чехарду; to leap — скакать; frog — лягушка) and otherwise disporting themselves (и /всячески/ иначе резвились), and right noisily (и весьма шумно), too (к тому же: «тоже»). They were all dressed alike (они были все одеты одинаково), and in the fashion (и по моде) which in that day prevailed (которая в то время преобладала) among serving-men (среди слуг) and 'prentices' (и подмастерьев) — that is to say (то есть), each had on the crown of his head (каждый имел на своей макушке) a flat black cap about the size of a saucer (плоскую черную шапочку размером с блюдце), which was not useful as a covering (которая не была полезна в качестве покрытия /головы/), it being of such scanty dimensions (так как она была такого маленького размера), neither was it ornamental (и не служила украшением; ornamental — декоративный); from beneath it (из-под нее) the hair fell (волосы ниспадали), unparted (без пробора: «неразделенные»), to the middle of the forehead (на середину лба), and was cropped (и были собраны в пучок) straight around (вокруг); a clerical band at the neck (священническая лента на шее); a blue gown (синее платье) that fitted closely (которое облегало тело: «подходило близко, тесно») and hung as low as the knees (и свисало до коленей: «так низко как колени») or lower (или ниже); full sleeves (полные, широкие рукава); a broad red belt (широкий красный пояс); bright yellow stockings (яркие желтые чулки), gartered above the knees (подвязанные над коленями); low shoes (низкие башмаки) with large metal buckles (с большими металлическими пряжками). It was a sufficiently ugly costume (это был достаточно уродливый костюм).

pursuit [pə`sju:t], elaborate [ı`læbərət], sufficiently [sə`fıSəntlı]

AFTER hours of persistent pursuit and persecution, the little prince was at last deserted by the rabble and left to himself. As long as he had been able to rage against the mob, and threaten it royally, and royally utter commands that were good stuff to laugh at, he was very entertaining; but when weariness finally forced him to be silent, he was no longer of use to his tormentors, and they sought amusement elsewhere. He looked about him now, but could not recognize the locality. He was within the city of London — that was all he knew. He moved on, aimlessly, and in a little while the houses thinned, and the passers-by were infrequent. He bathed his bleeding feet in the brook which flowed then where Farringdon Street now is; rested a few moments, then passed on, and presently came upon a great space with only a few scattered houses in it, and a prodigious church. He recognized this church. Scaffoldings were about, everywhere, and swarms of workmen; for it was undergoing elaborate repairs. The prince took heart at once — he felt that his troubles were at an end now. He said to himself, 'It is the ancient Grey Friars' church, which the king my father hath taken from the monks and given for a home forever for poor and forsaken children, and new-named it Christ's church. Right gladly will they serve the son of him who hath done so generously by them — and the more that that son is himself as poor and as forlorn as any that be sheltered here this day, or ever shall be.'