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

Tom could always find something going on around the Maypole in Cheapside, and at the fairs; and now and then he and the rest of London had a chance to see a military parade when some famous unfortunate was carried prisoner to the Tower, by land or boat. One summer's day he saw poor Anne Askew and three men burned at the stake in Smithfield, and heard an ex-bishop preach a sermon to them which did not interest him. Yes, Tom's life was varied and pleasant enough, on the whole.

By and by Tom's reading and dreaming about princely life wrought such a strong effect upon him that he began to act the prince, unconsciously. His speech and manners became curiously ceremonious and courtly, to the vast admiration and amusement of his intimates. But Tom's influence among these young people began to grow now, day by day; and in time he came to be looked up to by them with a sort of wondering awe, as a superior being. He seemed to know so much! and he could do such marvellous things! and withal, he was so deep and wise! Tom's remarks and Tom's performances were reported by the boys to their elders; and these, also, presently began to discuss Tom Canty, and to regard him as a most gifted and extraordinary creature. Full-grown people brought their perplexities to Tom for solution, and were often astonished at the wit and wisdom of his decisions. In fact, he was become a hero to all who knew him except his own family — these only saw nothing in him.

Privately, after a while, Tom organized a royal court! He was the prince; his special comrades were guards, chamberlains, equerries, lords and ladies in waiting, and the royal family. Daily the mock prince was received with elaborate ceremonials borrowed by Tom from his romantic readings; daily the great affairs of the mimic kingdom were discussed in the royal council, and daily his mimic highness issued decrees to his imaginary armies, navies, and viceroyalties.

After which he would go forth in his rags (после чего он шел дальше в своих лохмотьях) and beg a few farthings (и выпрашивал несколько фартингов), eat his poor crust (сухари), take his customary cuffs and abuse (принимал обычные затрещины и брань), and then stretch himself upon (и затем растягивался на) his handful of foul straw (своем клочке грязной соломы), and resume his empty grandeurs (возобновлял свои пустые великолепия) in his dreams (в своих мечтах).

And still his desire to look just once upon a real prince (и все же его желание взглянуть лишь один раз на настоящего принца), in the flesh (во плоти), grew upon him (усиливалось в нем; to grow — расти), day by day (день ото дня), and week by week (и с каждой неделей), until at last it absorbed (пока наконец оно (не) вобрало в себя) all other desires (все прочие желания), and became the one passion of his life (и стало одной-единственной страстью его жизни; to become — становиться).