He was soon in the midst (он оказался скоро посреди) of a crowd of boys (толпы мальчишек) who were running, jumping (которые бегали, прыгали), playing at ball and leap-frog (играли в мяч и чехарду; to leap — скакать; frog — лягушка) and otherwise disporting themselves (и /всячески/ иначе резвились), and right noisily (и весьма шумно), too (к тому же: «тоже»). They were all dressed alike (они были все одеты одинаково), and in the fashion (и по моде) which in that day prevailed (которая в то время преобладала) among serving-men (среди слуг) and 'prentices' (и подмастерьев) — that is to say (то есть), each had on the crown of his head (каждый имел на своей макушке) a flat black cap about the size of a saucer (плоскую черную шапочку размером с блюдце), which was not useful as a covering (которая не была полезна в качестве покрытия /головы/), it being of such scanty dimensions (так как она была такого маленького размера), neither was it ornamental (и не служила украшением; ornamental — декоративный); from beneath it (из-под нее) the hair fell (волосы ниспадали), unparted (без пробора: «неразделенные»), to the middle of the forehead (на середину лба), and was cropped (и были собраны в пучок) straight around (вокруг); a clerical band at the neck (священническая лента на шее); a blue gown (синее платье) that fitted closely (которое облегало тело: «подходило близко, тесно») and hung as low as the knees (и свисало до коленей: «так низко как колени») or lower (или ниже); full sleeves (полные, широкие рукава); a broad red belt (широкий красный пояс); bright yellow stockings (яркие желтые чулки), gartered above the knees (подвязанные над коленями); low shoes (низкие башмаки) with large metal buckles (с большими металлическими пряжками). It was a sufficiently ugly costume (это был достаточно уродливый костюм).

pursuit [pə`sju:t], elaborate [ı`læbərət], sufficiently [sə`fıSəntlı]

AFTER hours of persistent pursuit and persecution, the little prince was at last deserted by the rabble and left to himself. As long as he had been able to rage against the mob, and threaten it royally, and royally utter commands that were good stuff to laugh at, he was very entertaining; but when weariness finally forced him to be silent, he was no longer of use to his tormentors, and they sought amusement elsewhere. He looked about him now, but could not recognize the locality. He was within the city of London — that was all he knew. He moved on, aimlessly, and in a little while the houses thinned, and the passers-by were infrequent. He bathed his bleeding feet in the brook which flowed then where Farringdon Street now is; rested a few moments, then passed on, and presently came upon a great space with only a few scattered houses in it, and a prodigious church. He recognized this church. Scaffoldings were about, everywhere, and swarms of workmen; for it was undergoing elaborate repairs. The prince took heart at once — he felt that his troubles were at an end now. He said to himself, 'It is the ancient Grey Friars' church, which the king my father hath taken from the monks and given for a home forever for poor and forsaken children, and new-named it Christ's church. Right gladly will they serve the son of him who hath done so generously by them — and the more that that son is himself as poor and as forlorn as any that be sheltered here this day, or ever shall be.'

He was soon in the midst of a crowd of boys who were running, jumping, playing at ball and leap-frog and otherwise disporting themselves, and right noisily, too. They were all dressed alike, and in the fashion which in that day prevailed among serving-men and 'prentices' — that is to say, each had on the crown of his head a flat black cap about the size of a saucer, which was not useful as a covering, it being of such scanty dimensions, neither was it ornamental; from beneath it the hair fell, unparted, to the middle of the forehead, and was cropped straight around; a clerical band at the neck; a blue gown that fitted closely and hung as low as the knees or lower; full sleeves; a broad red belt; bright yellow stockings, gartered above the knees; low shoes with large metal buckles. It was a sufficiently ugly costume.

The boys stopped their play and flocked about the prince (мальчики прекратили свою игру и столпились вокруг принца), who said with native dignity (который сказал с врожденным чувством собственного достоинства):

'Good lads (добрые ребята), say to your master (скажите своему хозяину) that Edward Prince of Wales (что Эдуард, принц Уэльский) desireth speech with him (желает речь = переговорить с ним; desireth (устар.) = desires; to desire — желать).'

A great shout went up at this (большой крик поднялся при этом), and one rude fellow said (и один грубый парень сказал):

'Marry (ого), art thou his grace's messenger (ты посол Его Милости), beggar (попрошайка)?' The prince's face flushed with anger (лицо принца вспыхнуло гневом), and his ready hand flew to his hip (и его готовая рука взлетела к его бедру), but there was nothing there (но там ничего не было). There was a storm of laughter (была = раздалась буря смеха), and one boy said (и один мальчик сказал):

'Didst mark that (ты заметил это; didst — ты сделал, устар. вместо did)? He fancied (он притворился) he had a sword (/будто/ у него меч) — belike (как будто) he is the prince himself (он есть сам принц).'

This sally (эта фраза) brought more laughter (вызвала (еще) больше смеха). Poor Edward drew himself up proudly (бедный Эдвард выпрямился горделиво; to draw up — выпрямиться) and said (и сказал):

'I am the prince (я принц); and it ill beseemeth you (и это плохо подобает = не подобает вам) that feed upon the king my father's bounty (которые питаются от щедрот короля, моего отца; bounty — щедрость) to use me so (обращаться со мною так).'

This was vastly enjoyed (это всем: «широко» понравилось; to enjoy — наслаждаться), as the laughter testified (как смех свидетельствовал). The youth who had first spoken (юноша, который в начале говорил) shouted to his comrades (крикнул своим товарищам):

'Ho (эй), swine (свиньи), slaves (рабы), pensioners of his grace's princely father (нахлебники высокородного отца его милости), where be your manners (где же ваши манеры; be вместо are)? Down on your marrow bones (на колени: «вниз на ваши кости»), all of ye (все вы: «все из вас»), and do reverence to his kingly port and royal rags (и воздайте почести его королевскому званию и королевским лохмотьям)!'

With boisterous mirth (с буйным весельем) they dropped upon their knees (они рухнули на колени) in a body (в одном теле = все как один) and did mock homage (и воздали шутовские почести) to their prey (своей жертве). The prince spurned (принц отпихнул) the nearest boy with his foot (ближайшего мальчугана ногой), and said fiercely (и сказал яростно):

'Take thou that (вот тебе), till the morrow come (пока утро (не) придет) and I build thee a gibbet (и я (не) построю тебе виселицу)!'

Ah, but this was not a joke (ах, но это не была шутка) — this was going beyond fun (это переходило границы веселья). The laughter ceased on the instant (смех умолк сразу) and fury took its place (и ярость заняла его место). A dozen shouted (дюжина (человек) прокричала):

'Hale him forth (тащи его)! To the horse-pond, to the horse-pond (к лошадиному пруду)! Where be the dogs (где собаки)? Ho, there, Lion (взять, Лев)! ho, Fangs (взять, Клыкастый; fang — клык)!'

Then followed such a thing (затем последовала такая вещь) as England had never seen before (какую Англия никогда не видела прежде) — the sacred person of the heir to the throne (священная особа наследника престола) rudely buffeted (жестоко схваченная) by plebeian hands (плебейскими руками), and set upon (и атакованная) and torn by dogs (и искусанная собаками; to tear — рвать).