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

Poor Tom's dazed eyes wandered abroad over this stupefying spectacle, and finally rested dreamily upon the kneeling princesses beside him a moment, then upon the Earl of Hertford. A sudden purpose dawned in his face. He said, in a low tone, at Lord Hertford's ear:

'Answer me truly, on thy faith and honor! Uttered I here a command, the which none but a king might hold privilege and prerogative to utter, would such commandment be obeyed, and none rise up to say me nay?'

'None, my liege, in all these realms. In thy person bides the majesty of England. Thou art the king — thy word is law.'

Tom responded, in a strong, earnest voice, and with great animation:

'Then shall the king's law be law of mercy, from this day, and never more be law of blood! Up from thy knees and away! To the Tower and say the king decrees the Duke of Norfolk shall not die!'

The words were caught up and carried eagerly from lip to lip far and wide over the hall, and as Hertford hurried from the presence, another prodigious shout burst forth:

'The reign of blood is ended! Long live Edward king of England!'

CHAPTER XII (Глава двенадцатая)

The Prince and his Deliverer (Принц и его избавитель)

AS soon as Miles Hendon and the little prince were clear of the mob (как только Майлс Хендон и маленький принц были чисты от толпы = выбрались из толпы), they struck down through (двинулись через; to strike — бить) back lanes and alleys toward the river (задние улочки и переулки к реке). Their way was unobstructed (их путь был (ничем) не прегражден) until they approached (пока они не достигли) London Bridge (Лондонского моста); then they plowed (тогда они влились) into the multitude again (в толпу опять), Hendon keeping a fast grip upon the prince's — no, the king's — wrist (Хендон, держа крепкую хватку на запястье принца, нет, короля). The tremendous news (ужасная новость) was already abroad (была уже повсюду), and the boy learned it (и мальчик узнал ее) from a thousand voices at once (от тысячи голосов сразу) — 'The king is dead (король умер)!' The tidings struck a chill to the heart of the poor little waif (известия ударили холодом в сердце бедного маленького беспризорника; to strike — бить), and sent a shudder through his frame (и послали дрожь по его телу; to send — посылать). He realized the greatness of his loss (он осознавал величие своей потери), and was filled with a bitter grief (и был наполнен горькой скорбью); for the grim tyrant (ибо мрачный тиран) who had been such a terror to others (который бывал таким ужасом для других) had always been gentle with him (всегда был добр с ним). The tears sprung to his eyes and blurred all objects (слезы выступили у него на глазах и затуманили все предметы). For an instant he felt himself the most forlorn (на минуту он почувствовал себя самым одиноким), outcast (изгнанным), and forsaken of God's creatures (и брошенным среди Божьих тварей) — then another cry shook the night (затем другой крик сотряс ночь) with its far-reaching thunders (своим далеко достающим громом): 'Long live King Edward the Sixth (да здравствует король Эдуард Шестой)!' and this made his eyes kindle (и это заставило его глаза зажечься; to make — делать, заставлять), and thrilled him with pride to his fingers' ends (и вызвало трепет от гордости до кончиков пальцев). 'Ah (ах),' he thought (подумал он; to think — думать), 'how grand and strange it seems (как великолепно и странно это кажется) — I AM KING (я король)!'