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

Hendon's arts all failed with the king — he could not be comforted, but a couple of women who were chained near him, succeeded better. Under their gentle ministrations he found peace and learned a degree of patience. He was very grateful, and came to love them dearly and to delight in the sweet and soothing influence of their presence. He asked them why they were in prison, and when they said they were Baptists, he smiled, and inquired:

'Is that a crime to be shut up for in a prison? Now I grieve, for I shall lose ye — they will not keep ye long for such a little thing.'

They did not answer; and something in their faces made him uneasy. He said, eagerly:

'You do not speak — be good to me, and tell me — there will be no other punishment? Prithee, tell me there is no fear of that.'

They tried to change the topic, but his fears were aroused, and he pursued it:

'Will they scourge thee? No, no, they would not be so cruel! Say they would not. Come, they will not, will they?'

The women betrayed confusion and distress, but there was no avoiding an answer, so one of them said, in a voice choked with emotion:

'Oh, thou'lt break our hearts, thou gentle spirit! God will help us to bear our —'

'It is a confession!' the king broke in. 'Then they will scourge thee, the stony-hearted wretches! But oh, thou must not weep, I cannot bear it. Keep up thy courage — I shall come to my own in time to save thee from this bitter thing, and I will do it!'

When the king awoke in the morning, the women were gone.

'They are saved!' he said, joyfully; then added, despondently, 'but woe is me! — for they were my comforters.'

Each of them had left a shred of ribbon (каждая из них оставила лоскут ленты) pinned to his clothing (приколотый к его одежде), in token of remembrance (в знак памяти). He said he would keep these things always (он сказал, что будет хранить эти вещи всегда); and that soon he would seek out (и что скоро он разыщет) these dear good friends of his (этих милых добрых подруг его) and take them under his protection (и возьмет их под свою защиту).

Just then the jailer came in (как раз тогда тюремщик вошел внутрь; to come in — войти внутрь) with some subordinates (с несколькими подчиненными) and commanded that the prisoners be conducted (и приказал, чтобы заключенные были препровождены) to the jail-yard (в тюремный двор). The king was overjoyed (король был очень обрадован) — it would be a blessed thing (это была бы благословенная вещь) to see the blue sky (увидеть голубое небо) and breathe the fresh air (и подышать свежим воздухом) once more (снова). He fretted and chafed at the slowness (он беспокоился и раздражался на медлительность) of the officers (офицеров), but his turn came at last (но его очередь подошла наконец) and he was released from his staple and ordered (и он был освобожден из своей скобы = своих оков и получил приказ; to order — приказывать) to follow the other prisoners (последовать за другими заключенными), with Hendon (с Хендоном).