“H’m. Not bad for an hour’s work,” said the King, looking very pleased with himself. “That’s enough for today.” He stood up and arranged his ermine cloak very tastefully.
“Order my coach. I must go to the Barber’s,” he said magnificently.
It was then that he noticed the Red Cow approaching. He sat down again and took up his scepter.
“What have we here, ho (что имеем мы здесь, эй)?” he demanded (он спросил), as the Red Cow danced to the foot of the steps (как только Рыжая Корова протанцевала к подножию лестницы).
“A Cow (корова), your Majesty (ваше Величество)!” she answered simply (она ответила просто).
“I can see that
“Quite giddy (совершенно страдающим головокружением)!” echoed all the Courtiers (отозвались, как эхо, все придворные), staring (вперив взгляд/уставившись).
“That’s just my trouble, your Majesty (это есть как раз моя беда, ваше Величество). I can’t stop (я
“Can’t stop (не можешь перестать)?” Nonsense (чепуха: «бессмыслица»;
“Stop at once (остановись немедленно)! The King commands you (король приказывает тебе)!” cried all the Courtiers (кричали все придворные).
The Red Cow made a great effort (Рыжая Корова сделала огромную попытку = попыталась изо всех сил). She tried so hard to stop dancing (она старалась так усердно: «жестко» перестать танцевать) that every muscle and every rib (что каждый мускул и каждое ребро) stood out like mountain ranges all over her (выступали, как горные цепи, по всему ее телу;
furiously ['fjuqrIqslI] muscle [mAsl] jigging ['GIgIŋ]
“What have we here, ho?” he demanded, as the Red Cow danced to the foot of the steps.
“A Cow, your Majesty!” she answered simply.
“I can see that,” said the King.“I still have my eyesight. But what do you want? Be quick, because I have an appointment with the Barber at ten. He won’t wait for me longer than that and I must have my hair cut. And for goodness’ sake stop jigging and jagging about like that!” he added irritably. “It makes me quite giddy.”
“Quite giddy!” echoed all the Courtiers, staring.
“That’s just my trouble, your Majesty. I can’t stop!” said the Red Cow piteously.
“Can’t stop?” Nonsense!” said the King furiously. ”Stop at once! I, the King, command you!”
“Stop at once! The King commands you!” cried all the Courtiers.
The Red Cow made a great effort. She tried so hard to stop dancing that every muscle and every rib stood out like mountain ranges all over her. But it was no good. She just went on dancing at the foot of the King’s steps.
“I have tried, your Majesty (я
“H’m (х-м) — very curious (очень любопытно),” said the King, pushing the crown on one side (сдвинув: «столкнув» корону на один бок) and scratching his head (и почесывая голову).
“Very curious (очень любопытно),” said the Courtiers (сказали придворные), scratching their heads, too (почесывая свои головы тоже).