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

The third day of Tom Canty's kingship came and went much as the others had done, but there was a lifting of his cloud in one way — he felt less uncomfortable than at first; he was getting a little used to his circumstances and surroundings; his chains still galled, but not all the time; he found that the presence and homage of the great afflicted and embarrassed him less and less sharply with every hour that drifted over his head.

But for one single dread, he could have seen the fourth day approach without serious distress — the dining in public; it was to begin that day. There were greater matters in the program — for on that day he would have to preside at a council which would take his views and commands concerning the policy to be pursued toward various foreign nations scattered far and near over the great globe; on that day, too, Hertford would be formally chosen to the grand office of Lord Protector; other things of note were appointed for that fourth day also, but to Tom they were all insignificant compared with the ordeal of dining all by himself with a multitude of curious eyes fastened upon him and a multitude of mouths whispering comments upon his performance- and upon his mistakes, if he should be so unlucky as to make any.

Still (все же), nothing could stop that fourth day (ничто не могло остановить этот четвертый день), and so it came (и вот он пришел). It found poor Tom low-spirited (он нашел Тома подавленным; low spirit — подавленность: «низкий дух») and absent-minded (рассеянным; absent — отсутствующий; mind — разум), and this mood continued (и это настроение продолжалось); he could not shake it off (он не мог стряхнуть его; off — прочь). The ordinary duties of the morning (обычные обязанности утра) dragged upon his hands (тяготили его руки), and wearied him (и утомили его). Once more (снова: «один раз больше») he felt the sense of captivity (он ощутил чувство плена) heavy upon him (тяжело на себе).

Late in the forenoon (поздно утром) he was in a large audience chamber (он был в большой комнате для аудиенций), conversing with the Earl of Hertford (разговаривая с графом Хартфордом) and duly awaiting (и должным образом ожидая) the striking of the hour (часа; to strike — ударять; hour — час) appointed (назначенного) for a visit of ceremony (для церемониального визита) from a considerable number of great officials and courtiers (от значительного числа высокопоставленных чиновников и придворных).

After a little while (спустя некоторое время) Tom, who had wandered to a window (Том, который подошел к окну; to wander — бродить) and become interested (и заинтересовался: «стал заинтересованным») in the life and movement (жизнью и движением) of the great highway (большой дороги) beyond the palace gates (за дворцовыми воротами) — and not idly interested (и не праздно заинтересовался), but longing with all his heart (но стремясь всем своим сердцем) to take part in person (принять участие самому; person — личность) in its stir and freedom (в ее шевелении и свободе) — saw the van of a hooting and shouting mob (увидел улюлюкающую и кричащую толпу; van — фургон) of disorderly (беспорядочных = беспорядочно двигавшихся) men, women, and children of the lowest and poorest degree (мужчин, женщин и детей самого низкого и бедного звания) approaching from up the road (приближающихся по дороге).

'I would I knew (я бы хотел знать: «я хотел бы, чтобы я знал») what 'tis about (о чем это = что это такое; ‘tis = it is)!' he exclaimed (он воскликнул), with all a boy's curiosity in such happenings (со всем мальчишеским любопытством к таким происшествиям).