SOMEWHAT after one in the afternoon (вскоре после часа дня), Tom resignedly underwent the ordeal of being dressed for dinner (Том покорно прошел испытание одеванием к ужину). He found himself as finely clothed as before (он нашел себя столь же прекрасно одетым, как прежде), but everything different (но все другое), everything changed (все измененное), from his ruff to his stockings (от рюша до чулок). He was presently conducted with much state to a spacious and ornate apartment (его вскоре отвели с большой торжественностью в просторную и изысканно украшенную комнату), where a table was already set for one (где уже был накрыт стол на одного; to set — устанавливать). Its furniture (ее мебель = мебель в этой комнате) was all of massy gold (была вся из массивного золота), and beautified with designs (и украшена узорами) which well-nigh made it priceless (которые почти делали ее бесценной; nigh — близко, устар.), since they were the work of Benvenuto (так как они были работой Бенвенуто). The room was half filled (комната была наполовину заполнена) with noble servitors (благородными = вельможными слугами). A chaplain said grace (капеллан прочитал молитву), and Tom was about to fall to (и Том был готов приняться за дело), for hunger had long been constitutional with him (ибо голод долго был неотъемлемой частью его), but was interrupted by my lord the Earl of Berkeley (но был остановлен милордом графом Беркли; to interrupt — прерывать, мешать, вмешиваться), who fastened a napkin about his neck (который повязал салфетку вокруг его шеи); for the great post of Diaperers to the Prince of Wales (ибо высокий пост Подвязывателей салфеток Принцу Уэльскому; diaper — салфетка) was hereditary in this nobleman's family (был наследственным в семье этого дворянина). Tom's cupbearer was present (виночерпий Тома был рядом; present — присутствующий), and forestalled all his attempts to help himself to wine (и предупреждал все его попытки налить себе самому вина). The Taster (отведыватель; to taste — пробовать еду, напитки) to his Highness the Prince of Wales (Его Высочеству Принцу Уэльскому) was there also (был там тоже), prepared to taste any suspicious dish (готовый попробовать любое подозрительное блюдо) upon requirement (по требованию; to require — требовать), and run the risk of being poisoned (и рискнуть быть отравленным; to run — бежать, управлять; to poison — отравить). He was only an ornamental appendage at this time (он был только декоративным придатком в то время), and was seldom called to exercise his function (и редко призывался исполнять свои обязанности); but there had been times (но бывали времена), not many generations past (не много поколений назад), when the office of taster (когда должность отведывателя) had its perils (имела свои опасности), and was not a grandeur to be desired (и не была желательным высоким положением; to desire — желать). Why they did not use a dog or a plumber seems strange (почему они не использовали собаку или паяльщика/водопроводчика кажется странным); but all the ways of royalty (но все пути королевской власти) are strange (странны). My Lord d'Arcy, First Groom of the Chamber (милорд д’Арси, первый камердинер), was there (был там), to do goodness knows what (чтобы делать Бог знает что); but there he was (но там он был) — let that suffice (и этого достаточно). The Lord Chief Butler (главный дворецкий) was there (был там), and stood behind Tom's chair overseeing the solemnities (и стоял за стулом Тома, наблюдая за церемониалом), under command of the Lord Great Steward and the Lord Head Cook (под началом лорда главного распорядителя и лорда главного повара), who stood near (которые стояли поблизости). Tom had three hundred and eighty-four servants besides these (у Тома было 384 слуги кроме этих); but they were not all in that room, of course (но они были не все в той комнате, конечно), nor the quarter of them (и даже не четверть их); neither was Tom aware yet that they existed (и Том даже не знал еще, что они существовали).
All those that were present (все те, которые присутствовали) had been well drilled within the hour (были натренированы в течение часа) to remember that the prince was temporarily out of his head (помнить, что принц был временно не в ладах с головой: «из своей головы»), and to be careful to show no surprise at his vagaries (и постараться не выказывать никакого удивления его выходками; careful — осторожный). These 'vagaries' were soon on exhibition before them (эти выходки скоро стали им видны: «напоказ перед ними»; exhibition — выставка; проявление); but they only moved their compassion and their sorrow (но они вызвали только их сострадание и печаль; to move — двигать, побуждать, растрогать), not their mirth (не веселье). It was a heavy affliction to them (это было тяжелым горем для них) to see the beloved prince so stricken (видеть возлюбленного принца таким больным; to strike — ударять, поражать).
present [`prezənt], exhibition [egzı`bıS(ə)n], beloved [bı`lAvd]
SOMEWHAT after one in the afternoon, Tom resignedly underwent the ordeal of being dressed for dinner. He found himself as finely clothed as before, but everything different, everything changed, from his ruff to his stockings. He was presently conducted with much state to a spacious and ornate apartment, where a table was already set for one. Its furniture was all of massy gold, and beautified with designs which well-nigh made it priceless, since they were the work of Benvenuto. The room was half filled with noble servitors. A chaplain said grace, and Tom was about to fall to, for hunger had long been constitutional with him, but was interrupted by my lord the Earl of Berkeley, who fastened a napkin about his neck; for the great post of Diaperers to the Prince of Wales was hereditary in this nobleman's family. Tom's cupbearer was present, and forestalled all his attempts to help himself to wine. The Taster to his Highness the Prince of Wales was there also, prepared to taste any suspicious dish upon requirement, and run the risk of being poisoned. He was only an ornamental appendage at this time, and was seldom called to exercise his function; but there had been times, not many generations past, when the office of taster had its perils, and was not a grandeur to be desired. Why they did not use a dog or a plumber seems strange; but all the ways of royalty are strange. My Lord d'Arcy, First Groom of the Chamber, was there, to do goodness knows what; but there he was — let that suffice. The Lord Chief Butler was there, and stood behind Tom's chair overseeing the solemnities, under command of the Lord Great Steward and the Lord Head Cook, who stood near. Tom had three hundred and eighty-four servants besides these; but they were not all in that room, of course, nor the quarter of them; neither was Tom aware yet that they existed.
All those that were present had been well drilled within the hour to remember that the prince was temporarily out of his head, and to be careful to show no surprise at his vagaries. These 'vagaries' were soon on exhibition before them; but they only moved their compassion and their sorrow, not their mirth. It was a heavy affliction to them to see the beloved prince so stricken.
Poor Tom ate with his fingers mainly (бедный Том ел пальцами в основном); but no one smiled at it (но никто не улыбался этому), or even seemed to observe it (и даже не подавал вида, что замечает это). He inspected his napkin curiously and with deep interest (он рассмотрел свою салфетку любопытно и с глубоким интересом), for it was of a very dainty and beautiful fabric (потому что она была из очень тонкой и красивой ткани), then said with simplicity (затем сказал простодушно):
'Prithee, take it away, lest in mine unheedfulness it be soiled (пожалуйста, унесите ее прочь, чтобы по моей неловкости она не была испачкана).'
The Hereditary Diaperer (наследный Подвязыватель салфеток) took it away with reverent manner (унес ее в почтительной манере), and without word or protest of any sort (и без единого возражения: «слова протеста»; of any sort — любого рода).
Tom examined the turnips and the lettuce with interest (Том осмотрел репу и латук с интересом), and asked what they were (и спросил, что это такое), and if they were to be eaten (и должны ли они были быть съедены = можно ли их есть); for it was only recently that men had begun to raise these things in England (ибо только недавно люди начали выращивать эти вещи в Англии) in place of importing them (вместо того, чтобы импортировать их) as luxuries from Holland (как товары роскоши из Голландии). His question was answered with grave respect (на его вопрос ответили с глубоким уважением; grave — серьезный, важный), and no surprise manifested (и без проявления какого-либо удивления). When he had finished his dessert (когда он закончил десерт), he filled his pockets with nuts (он наполнил карманы орехами); but nobody appeared to be aware of it (но никто не подал вида, что заметил это; to be aware of — быть осведомленным о), or disturbed by it (или был покороблен этим). But the next moment he was himself disturbed by it (но в следующее мгновение он сам пришел в замешательство из-за этого), and showed discomposure (и выказал волнение); for this was the only service he had been permitted to do with his own hands (ибо это была единственная вещь, которую ему позволили сделать своими собственными руками; service — служба, услуга) during the meal (во время еды), and he did not doubt that he had done (и он не сомневался, что сделал) a most improper and unprincely thing (совершенно неприличную и неподобающую принцу вещь). At that moment the muscles of his nose began to twitch (в этот момент мускулы его носа начали подергиваться), and the end of that organ to lift and wrinkle (а кончик этого органа — подниматься и морщиться). This continued (это продолжалось), and Tom began to evince a growing distress (и Том начал выказывать растущее страдание). He looked appealingly, first at one and then another of the lords about him (он взглянул умоляюще сперва на одного, а затем на другого из лордов вокруг него), and tears came into his eyes (и слезы навернулись у него на глазах; to come — приходить). They sprang forward with dismay in their faces (они бросились вперед со смятением на лицах; to spring — брызгать, вскакивать), and begged to know his trouble (и умоляли (о том чтобы) узнать его беду). Tom said with genuine anguish (Том сказал с неподдельной мукой):
'I crave your indulgence (я умоляю о прощении); my nose itcheth cruelly (мой нос жестоко чешется; to itch — чесаться). What is the custom and usage (какова традиция и обычай) in this emergence (в таком крайнем случае)? Prithee speed (пожалуйста, поспешите), for 'tis but a little time that I can bear it (ибо лишь недолгое время я могу выносить это).'
None smiled (никто не улыбнулся); but all were sore perplexed (но все были сильно озадачены), and looked one to the other in deep tribulation (и смотрели один на другого в глубоком несчастье) for counsel (за советом = ища совета). But, behold (но смотри), here was a dead wall (здесь была глухая: «мертвая» стена), and nothing in English history to tell how to get over it (и (не было) ничего в английской истории, что могло бы рассказать, как справиться с этим). The Master of Ceremonies was not present (церемониймейстер не присутствовал); there was no one (не было никого) who felt safe to venture upon this uncharted sea (кто бы решился отправиться по этому не отмеченному на карте морю; to feel — чувствовать; safe — находящийся в безопасности; to venture — отважиться), or risk the attempt (или рискнуть попробовать; attempt — попытка) to solve this solemn problem (решить эту важную проблему). Alas (увы)! there was no Hereditary Scratcher (не было наследственного чесальщика; to scratch — чесать, царапать). Meantime (тем временем) the tears had overflowed their banks (слезы вышли из берегов; to overflow — течь через края), and begun to trickle down Tom's cheeks (и начали стекать вниз по щекам Тома). His twitching nose (его дергающийся нос) was pleading more urgently than ever for relief (требовал более срочно, чем когда-либо, облегчения). At last nature broke down the barriers of etiquette (наконец природа сломала барьеры этикета; to break down — ломать(ся)); Tom lifted up an inward prayer for pardon if he was doing wrong (Том вознес внутреннюю молитву о прощении, если он поступал неправильно), and brought relief to the burdened hearts of his court (и принес облегчение отягощенным сердцам своего двора) by scratching his nose himself (почесав свой нос сам).
hereditary [hı`redıtərı], luxury [`lAkSərı], venture [`ventSə]
Poor Tom ate with his fingers mainly; but no one smiled at it, or even seemed to observe it. He inspected his napkin curiously and with deep interest, for it was of a very dainty and beautiful fabric, then said with simplicity:
'Prithee, take it away, lest in mine unheedfulness it be soiled.'
The Hereditary Diaperer took it away with reverent manner, and without word or protest of any sort.
Tom examined the turnips and the lettuce with interest, and asked what they were, and if they were to be eaten; for it was only recently that men had begun to raise these things in England in place of importing them as luxuries from Holland. His question was answered with grave respect, and no surprise manifested. When he had finished his dessert, he filled his pockets with nuts; but nobody appeared to be aware of it, or disturbed by it. But the next moment he was himself disturbed by it, and showed discomposure; for this was the only service he had been permitted to do with his own hands during the meal, and he did not doubt that he had done a most improper and unprincely thing. At that moment the muscles of his nose began to twitch, and the end of that organ to lift and wrinkle. This continued, and Tom began to evince a growing distress. He looked appealingly, first at one and then another of the lords about him, and tears came into his eyes. They sprang forward with dismay in their faces, and begged to know his trouble. Tom said with genuine anguish:
'I crave your indulgence; my nose itcheth cruelly. What is the custom and usage in this emergence? Prithee speed, for 'tis but a little time that I can bear it.'
None smiled; but all were sore perplexed, and looked one to the other in deep tribulation for counsel. But, behold, here was a dead wall, and nothing in English history to tell how to get over it. The Master of Ceremonies was not present; there was no one who felt safe to venture upon this uncharted sea, or risk the attempt to solve this solemn problem. Alas! there was no Hereditary Scratcher. Meantime the tears had overflowed their banks, and begun to trickle down Tom's cheeks. His twitching nose was pleading more urgently than ever for relief. At last nature broke down the barriers of etiquette; Tom lifted up an inward prayer for pardon if he was doing wrong, and brought relief to the burdened hearts of his court by scratching his nose himself.
His meal being ended (когда его трапеза окончилась: «его трапеза будучи оконченной»), a lord came and held before him a broad, shallow, golden dish with fragrant rose-water in it (один лорд подошел и держал перед ним = поднес ему широкое, плоское золотое блюдо с благоухающей розовой водой в нем), to cleanse his mouth and fingers with (чтобы очистить его рот и пальцы (ею); with — с); and my lord the Hereditary Diaperer stood by with a napkin for his use (а милорд Наследственный Подвязыватель салфеток стоял рядом с салфеткой для его использования = чтобы он мог ей воспользоваться). Tom gazed at the dish a puzzled moment or two (Том смотрел на блюдо в замешательстве минуту-другую: «один или два смущенных момента»), then raised it to his lips (затем поднял его к своим губам), and gravely took a draught (и серьезно сделал глоток; to take — брать). Then he returned it to the waiting lord, and said (затем он вернул его прислуживающему лорду и сказал):
'Nay, it likes me not, my lord (нет, это мне не нравится, милорд); it hath a pretty flavor (она имеет приятный аромат), but it wanteth strength (но ей недостает силы = насыщенности).'
This new eccentricity (эта новая эксцентричная выходка) of the prince's ruined mind (поврежденного разума принца) made all the hearts about him ache (заставило все сердца вокруг него заболеть); but the sad sight moved none to merriment (но это грустное зрелище ни в ком не вызвало веселья).
Tom's next unconscious blunder (следующим невольным: «бессознательным» промахом Тома) was to get up and leave the table (было встать и покинуть стол) just when the chaplain had taken his stand behind his chair (как раз когда капеллан занял свое место за его стулом) and with uplifted hands (и с поднятыми руками) and closed uplifted eyes (и закрытыми поднятыми глазами), was in the act of beginning the blessing (был в начале благодарственной молитвы). Still nobody seemed to perceive (все же никто, казалось, не заметил) that the prince had done a thing unusual (что принц сделал что-то необычное).
By his own request (по его собственной просьбе), our small friend was now conducted to his private cabinet (нашего маленького друга затем отвели в его личный кабинет), and left there alone to his own devices (и оставили там одного забавляться; device — прибор; затея). Hanging upon hooks (висевшие на крюках) in the oaken wainscoting (на дубовых деревянных панелях) were the several pieces (были несколько элементов) of a suit of shining steel armor (сияющей стальной брони; suit — костюм), covered all over with beautiful designs exquisitely inlaid in gold (покрытые целиком прекрасными узорами, искусно выложенные золотом). This martial panoply (эти военные доспехи) belonged to the true prince (принадлежали настоящему принцу) — a recent present from Madam Parr, the queen (недавний подарок от мадам Парр, королевы). Tom put on the greaves (Том надел наголенники; to put on — надевать), the gauntlets (латные рукавицы), the plumed helmet (шлем с плюмажем; plume — перо, плюмаж), and such other pieces as he could don without assistance (и подобные прочие детали, которые он мог надеть без /посторонней/ помощи; to don — надевать /устар./), and for a while was minded (и некоторое время был настроен) to call for help (попросить о помощи; to call — звать) and complete the matter (и довести дело до конца), but bethought him of the nuts he had brought away from dinner (но напомнил себе = вспомнил об орехах, которые он унес с ужина; to bethink — напоминать, вспоминать; to bring — приносить), and the joy it would be to eat them (и о радости, которая была бы съесть их) with no crowd to eye him (без толпы, (которая бы) глазела на него), and no Grand Hereditaries to pester him with undesired services (и без великих наследников, (которые бы) докучали ему непрошенными услугами); so he restored the pretty things to their several places (так что он поставил эти красивые вещи обратно на их места; to restore — восстанавливать; several — несколько), and soon was cracking nuts (и скоро щелкал орехи), and feeling almost naturally happy for the first time (и чувствовал себя почти естественно = по-настоящему счастливым в первый раз) since God for his sins had made him a prince (с тех пор как Бог за его грехи сделал его принцем). When the nuts were all gone (когда все орехи кончились; to go — идти, уходить, исчезать), he stumbled upon some inviting books (он наткнулся на некоторые книги с привлекательными названиями: «приглашающие книги»; to invite — приглашать) in a closet (в шкафу), among them one about the etiquette of the English court (среди них одна об этикете английского двора). This was a prize (это была удачная находка). He lay down upon a sumptuous divan (он лег на роскошный диван; to lie down — ложиться), and proceeded to instruct himself with honest zeal (и принялся обучать себя с честным рвением). Let us leave him there for the present (оставим его там пока).
wainscoting [`weınskətıŋ], unusual [An`ju:Zuəl], proceed [prə`si:d]
His meal being ended, a lord came and held before him a broad, shallow, golden dish with fragrant rose-water in it, to cleanse his mouth and fingers with; and my lord the Hereditary Diaperer stood by with a napkin for his use. Tom gazed at the dish a puzzled moment or two, then raised it to his lips, and gravely took a draught. Then he returned it to the waiting lord, and said:
'Nay, it likes me not, my lord; it hath a pretty flavor, but it wanteth strength.'
This new eccentricity of the prince's ruined mind made all the hearts about him ache; but the sad sight moved none to merriment.
Tom's next unconscious blunder was to get up and leave the table just when the chaplain had taken his stand behind his chair and with uplifted hands and closed uplifted eyes, was in the act of beginning the blessing. Still nobody seemed to perceive that the prince had done a thing unusual.
By his own request, our small friend was now conducted to his private cabinet, and left there alone to his own devices. Hanging upon hooks in the oaken wainscoting were the several pieces of a suit of shining steel armor, covered all over with beautiful designs exquisitely inlaid in gold. This martial panoply belonged to the true prince — a recent present from Madam Parr, the queen. Tom put on the greaves, the gauntlets, the plumed helmet, and such other pieces as he could don without assistance, and for a while was minded to call for help and complete the matter, but bethought him of the nuts he had brought away from dinner, and the joy it would be to eat them with no crowd to eye him, and no Grand Hereditaries to pester him with undesired services; so he restored the pretty things to their several places, and soon was cracking nuts, and feeling almost naturally happy for the first time since God for his sins had made him a prince. When the nuts were all gone, he stumbled upon some inviting books in a closet, among them one about the etiquette of the English court. This was a prize. He lay down upon a sumptuous divan, and proceeded to instruct himself with honest zeal. Let us leave him there for the present.