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).