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

'God requite thy mercy, oh my king, and save thee long to bless thy land!' Then springing up, he turned a joyful face toward the two lords in waiting, and exclaimed, 'Thou heard'st it! I am not to die: the king hath said it!' There was no movement, save that all bowed with grave respect; but no one spoke. He hesitated, a little confused, then turned timidly toward the king, saying, 'I may go now?'

'Go? Surely, if thou desirest. But why not tarry yet a little? Whither wouldst go?'

Tom dropped his eyes, and answered humbly:

'Peradventure I mistook; but I did think me free, and so was I moved to seek again the kennel where I was born and bred to misery, yet which harboreth my mother and my sisters, and so is home to me; whereas these pomps and splendors whereunto I am not used — oh, please you, sir, to let me go!'

The king was silent and thoughtful awhile, and his face betrayed a growing distress and uneasiness. Presently he said, with something of hope in his voice:

'Perchance he is but mad upon this one strain and hath his wits unmarred as toucheth other matter. God send it may be so! We will make trial.'

Then he asked Tom a question in Latin, and Tom answered him lamely in the same tongue. The King was delighted, and showed it. The lords and doctors manifested their gratification also.

The king said (король сказал):

''Twas not according to his schooling and ability (это не соответствовало его учености и способностям), but sheweth (но показывает; устар. от to show — показывать) that his mind is but diseased (что его разум только болен), not stricken fatally (не поврежден безвозвратно, фатально). How say you, sir (как = что скажете вы, сэр)?'

The physician addressed (врач, к которому был адресован вопрос) bowed low (поклонился низко), and replied (и ответил; to reply — отвечать):

'It jumpeth with mine own conviction (это соответствует моему личному убеждению), sire (сир), that thou hast divined aright (что вы предугадали правильно).'

The king looked pleased (король выглядел удовлетворенным) with this encouragement (этим ободрением), coming as it did from so excellent authority (исходящим от такого прекрасного авторитета), and continued with good heart (и продолжил в хорошем настроении: «с хорошим сердцем»):

'Now mark ye all (сейчас заметьте вы все): we will try him further (мы испытаем его дальше).'

He put a question to Tom in French (он задал вопрос Тому на французском). Tom stood silent a moment (Том стоял молча одно мгновение), embarrassed (смущенный /тем, что/) by having so many eyes centered upon him (столько глаз уставилось на него), then said diffidently (затем сказал неуверенно):

'I have no knowledge (я не имею знания) of this tongue (этого языка), so please your majesty (ваше величество).'

The king fell back (король откинулся) upon his couch (на свое ложе). The attendants flew to his assistance (слуги кинулись ему на помощь; to fly — летать); but he put them aside (но он отстранил их), and said (и сказал):