Английские волшебные сказки 19 страница

Merlin was so much amused with the idea of a boy no bigger than a man’s thumb (Мерлин был так позабавлен мыслью о мальчике не больше чем человеческий большой палец) that he determined to grant the poor woman’s wish (что он решил исполнить желание бедной женщины). Accordingly (соответственно), in a short time after (скоро: «в короткое время после»), the ploughman’s wife had a son (жена пахаря родила сына), who, wonderful to relate (который, чудесно рассказать = удивительно такое рассказывать)! was not a bit bigger (был ни чуточку не больше) than his father’s thumb (чем большой палец его отца).

The queen of the fairies (королева фей), wishing to see the little fellow (желая увидеть маленького паренька), came in at the window (прилетела в окно) while the mother was sitting up in the bed admiring him (пока мать сидела в кровати, любуясь им). The queen kissed the child (королева поцеловала ребенка), and, giving it the name of Tom Thumb (и, дав ему имя Том-палец), sent for some of the fairies (послала за несколькими феями), who dressed her little godson (которые одели ее маленького крестника) according to her orders (согласно ее приказам):

An oak-leaf hat he had for his crown (шляпа из дубового листа у него была как головной убор);
His shirt of web by spiders spun (его рубашка из паутины пауками сплетена);
With jacket wove of thistle’s down (с курткой, сплетенной из пуха чертополоха);
His trousers were of feathers done (его штаны были из перьев сделаны).
His stockings, of apple-rind, they tie (его чулки из яблочной кожуры они связали)
With eyelash from his mother’s eye (ресницей из глаза его матери),
His shoes were made of mouse’s skin (его башмаки были сделаны из мышиной шкурки),
Tann’d with the downy hair within (отделанные пухом внутри; downy — похожий на птичий пух; пушистый, покрытый пухом; down — пух).

ploughman [`plaumən], miserable [`mızərəbl], amuse [ə`mju:z]

IN the days of the great King Arthur there lived a mighty magician, called Merlin, the most learned and skilful enchanter the world has ever seen.

This famous magician, who could take any form he pleased, was travelling about as a poor beggar, and being very tired he stopped at the cottage of a ploughman to rest himself, and asked for some food.

The countryman bade him welcome, and his wife, who was a very good-hearted woman, soon brought him some milk in a wooden bowl, and some coarse brown bread on a platter.

Merlin was much pleased with the kindness of the ploughman and his wife; but he could not help noticing that though everything was neat and comfortable in the cottage they both seemed to be very unhappy. He therefore asked them why they were so melancholy, and learned that they were miserable because they had no children.

The poor woman said, with tears in her eyes: ‘I should be the happiest creature in the world if I had a son; although he was no bigger than my husband’s thumb, I would be satisfied.’

Merlin was so much amused with the idea of a boy no bigger than a man’s thumb that he determined to grant the poor woman’s wish. Accordingly, in a short time after, the ploughman’s wife had a son, who, wonderful to relate! was not a bit bigger than his father’s thumb.

The queen of the fairies, wishing to see the little fellow, came in at the window while the mother was sitting up in the bed admiring him. The queen kissed the child, and, giving it the name of Tom Thumb, sent for some of the fairies, who dressed her little godson according to her orders:

An oak-leaf hat he had for his crown;
His shirt of web by spiders spun;
With jacket wove of thistle’s down;
His trousers were of feathers done.
His stockings, of apple-rind, they tie
With eyelash from his mother’s eye,
His shoes were made of mouse’s skin,
Tann’d with the downy hair within.

Tom never grew any larger (Том так и не: «никогда» вырос хоть немного больше) than his father’s thumb (чем большой палец его отца), which was only of ordinary size (который был всего лишь обычного размера); but as he got older (но /по мере того/ как он становился старше) he became very cunning and full of tricks (он стал очень хитрым и мастером на проделки: «полным трюков»). When he was old enough to play with the boys (когда он был взрослый достаточно, чтобы играть с мальчишками), and had lost all his own cherry-stones (и проиграл все свои собственные вишневые косточки: «камешки»), he used to creep into the bags of his playfellows (он залезал в сумки своих товарищей), fill his pockets (наполнял карманы), and, getting out without their noticing him (и, выбравшись без того, чтобы они его заметили), would again join in the game (снова присоединялся к игре).

One day, however (однажды, однако), as he was coming out of a bag of cherry-stones (когда он выходил из сумки с вишневыми косточками), where he had been stealing as usual (где он воровал, как обычно), the boy to whom it belonged (мальчик, которому она /сумка/ принадлежала) chanced to see him (случился увидеть его). ‘Ah, ah! my little Tommy (мой маленький Томми),’ said the boy, ‘so I have caught you stealing my cherry-stones at last (так я поймал тебя, крадущим мои вишневые косточки наконец), and you shall be rewarded for your thievish trick (и ты будешь вознагражден за твои воровские фокусы).’ On saying this (сказав это), he drew the hiring tight round his neck (он затянул цепочку туго вокруг его шеи), and gave the bag such a hearty shake (и дал сумке такую сильную: «сердечную» встряску) that poor little Tom’s (что бедного маленького Тома) legs, thighs, and body (ноги, бедра и тело) were sadly bruised (были ужасно: «прискорбно» ушиблены). He roared out with pain (он взвыл от боли), and begged to be let out (и попросил быть выпущенным = чтобы его выпустили), promising never to steal again (обещая никогда не красть снова).

A short time afterwards (короткое время спустя) his mother was making a batterpudding (его мать делала дрожжевой пудинг), and Tom, being very anxious to see how it was made (и Том, будучи очень любопытным: «беспокойным» увидеть, как он делался), climbed up to the edge of the bowl (взобрался на край миски); but his foot slipped (но его нога соскользнула), and he plumped over head and ears into the batter (и он шлепнулся вверх ногами: «через голову и уши» в сбитое тесто; batter — взбитое жидкое тесто), without his mother noticing him (без того чтобы мать заметила его = а мать его не заметила), who stirred him into the pudding-bag (которая помешала его в мешке для пудинга), and put him in the pot to boil (и поставила его в горшок вскипеть).

The batter filled Tom’s mouth (тесто наполнило рот Тома), and prevented him from crying (и помешало ему крикнуть; to prevent — предотвращать, предупреждать); but, on feeling the hot water (но, чувствуя горячую воду), he kicked and struggled so much in the pot (он лягался и боролся = дергался так много в горшке) that his mother thought that the pudding was bewitched (что его мать подумала, что пудинг был заколдован), and, pulling it out of the pot (и, вытащив его из горшка), she threw it outside the door (она выбросила его за дверь; to throw — бросать). A poor tinker (бедный лудильщик), who was passing by (который походил мимо), lifted up the pudding (поднял пудинг), and, putting it into his budget (и, положив его в свою сумку), he then walked off (он затем ушел прочь). As Tom had now got his mouth cleared of the batter (так как Том теперь прочистил свой рот от теста: «у него рот был прочищенным»), he then began to cry aloud (он тогда начал кричать вслух), which so frightened the tinker (что так напугало лудильщика) that he flung down the pudding (что он швырнул вниз пудинг; to fling — метать, швырять) and ran away (и убежал прочь; to run — бежать). The pudding being broke to pieces by the fall (пудинг, будучи разбитым на кусочки падением = так как пудинг раскололся от падения на кусочки; broke — архаич., = broken), Tom crept out (Том выполз наружу; to creep — ползти) covered all over with the batter (покрытый с ног до головы: «весь по поверхности» тестом), and walked home (и побрел домой). His mother, who was very sorry to see her darling in such a woeful state (его мать, которая была очень огорчена увидеть своего любимца в таком горестном состоянии), put him into a teacup (положила его в чайную чашку), and soon washed off the batter (и скоро смыла прочь тесто); after which she kissed him (после чего она поцеловала его), and laid him in bed (и уложила его в кровать; to lay — класть).

ordinary [`o:dınərı], thigh [Taı], prevent [prı`vent]

Tom never grew any larger than his father’s thumb, which was only of ordinary size; but as he got older he became very cunning and full of tricks. When he was old enough to play with the boys, and had lost all his own cherry-stones, he used to creep into the bags of his playfellows, fill his pockets, and, getting out without their noticing him, would again join in the game.

One day, however, as he was coming out of a bag of cherry-stones, where he had been stealing as usual, the boy to whom it belonged chanced to see him. ‘Ah, ah! my little Tommy,’ said the boy, ‘so I have caught you stealing my cherry-stones at last, and you shall be rewarded for your thievish trick.’ On saying this, he drew the hiring tight round his neck, and gave the bag such a hearty shake that poor little Tom’s legs, thighs, and body were sadly bruised. He roared out with pain, and begged to be let out, promising never to steal again.

A short time afterwards his mother was making a batterpudding, and Tom, being very anxious to see how it was made, climbed up to the edge of the bowl; but his foot slipped, and he plumped over head and ears into the batter, without his mother noticing him, who stirred him into the pudding-bag, and put him in the pot to boil.

The batter filled Tom’s mouth, and prevented him from crying; but, on feeling the hot water, he kicked and struggled so much in the pot that his mother thought that the pudding was bewitched, and, pulling it out of the pot, she threw it outside the door. A poor tinker, who was passing by, lifted up the pudding, and, putting it into his budget, he then walked off. As Tom had now got his mouth cleared of the batter, he then began to cry aloud, which so frightened the tinker that he flung down the pudding and ran away. The pudding being broke to pieces by the fall, Tom crept out covered all over with the batter, and walked home. His mother, who was very sorry to see her darling in such a woeful state, put him into a teacup, and soon washed off the batter; after which she kissed him, and laid him in bed.

Soon after the adventure of the pudding (вскоре после приключения с пудингом), Tom’s mother went to milk her cow (мать Тома пошла подоить свою корову) in the meadow (на лугу), and she took him along with her (и она взяла его с собой). As the wind was very high (так как ветер был очень сильный: «высокий»), for fear of being blown away (из страха быть сдутым прочь; to blow — дуть), she tied him to a thistle (она привязала его к чертополоху) with a piece of fine thread (куском тонкой нити). The cow soon observed Tom’s oak-leaf hat (корова скоро приметила шляпу Тома из листа дуба: «дуб-лист шляпа»), and liking the appearance of it (и, полюбив вид ее = так как ей понравился ее вид), took poor Tom (взяла = проглотила бедного Тома) and the thistle (и чертополох) at one mouthful (за один глоток, присест). While the cow was chewing the thistle (пока корова жевала чертополох), Tom was afraid of her great teeth (Том испугался ее больших зубов), which threatened to crush him in pieces (которые угрожали раздробить его в куски), and he roared out (и он взревел) as loud as he could (так громко как он мог): ‘Mother, mother (мама)!’

‘Where are you, Tommy, my dear Tommy (где ты, Томми, мой дорогой Томми)?’ said his mother (сказала его мать).

‘Here, mother (здесь, мама),’ replied he (ответил он), ‘in the red cow’s mouth (во рту рыжей коровы).’

His mother began to cry (его мать начала плакать) and wring her hands (и ломать: «выкручивать» свои руки); but the cow, surprised at the odd noise in her throat (но корова, удивленная странным шумом в ее глотке), opened her mouth (открыла свой рот) and let Tom drop out (и позволила Тому выпасть наружу = выронила Тома). Fortunately (к счастью), his mother caught him in her apron (его мать поймала его в свой передник; to catch — ловить) as he was falling to the ground (когда он падал на землю), or he would have been dreadfully hurt (или он был бы ужасно расшиблен: «поврежден»). She then put Tom in her bosom (она затем положила Тома за пазуху) and ran home with him (и побежала домой с ним).

Tom’s father made him a whip of a barley straw (отец Тома сделал ему хлыст из ячменной соломинки) to drive the cattle with (чтобы погонять скот им; to drive — гнать), and having one day gone into the fields (и однажды, уйдя в поля), Tom slipped a foot (Том поскользнулся) and rolled into the furrow (и скатился в колею). A raven, which was flying over (ворон, который летел сверху), picked him up (подобрал его), and flew with him over the sea (и улетел с ним над морем; t o fly — летать), and there dropped him (и там уронил его).

adventure [əd`ventSə], appearance [ə`pıərəns], apron [`eıprən]

Soon after the adventure of the pudding, Tom’s mother went to milk her cow in the meadow, and she took him along with her. As the wind was very high, for fear of being blown away, she tied him to a thistle with a piece of fine thread. The cow soon observed Tom’s oak-leaf hat, and liking the appearance of it, took poor Tom and the thistle at one mouthful. While the cow was chewing the thistle, Tom was afraid of her great teeth, which threatened to crush him in pieces, and he roared out as loud as he could: ‘Mother, mother!’

‘Where are you, Tommy, my dear Tommy?’ said his mother.

‘Here, mother,’ replied he, ‘in the red cow’s mouth.’

His mother began to cry and wring her hands; but the cow, surprised at the odd noise in her throat, opened her mouth and let Tom drop out. Fortunately, his mother caught him in her apron as he was falling to the ground, or he would have been dreadfully hurt. She then put Tom in her bosom and ran home with him.

Tom’s father made him a whip of a barley straw to drive the cattle with, and having one day gone into the fields, Tom slipped a foot and rolled into the furrow. A raven, which was flying over, picked him up, and flew with him over the sea, and there dropped him.

A large fish swallowed Tom (большая рыба проглотила Тома) the moment he fell into the sea (в момент, когда он упал в море; to fall — падать), which was soon after caught (которая была вскоре после поймана), and bought for the table of King Arthur (и куплена для стола короля Артура; to buy — покупать). When they opened the fish (когда они вскрыли рыбу) in order to cook it (чтобы сварить ее), everyone was astonished (все были поражены: «каждый был поражен») at finding such a little boy (обнаружив такого маленького мальчика), and Tom was delighted (и Том был обрадован) at being free again (быть свободным снова). They carried him to the king (они понесли его к королю), who made Tom his dwarf (который сделал Тома своим карликом), and he soon grew a great favourite at court (и он скоро стал большим любимцем при дворе; to grow — расти; становиться); for by his tricks and gambols (ибо своими фокусами и прыжками) he not only amused the king and queen (он не только забавлял короля и королеву), but also all the Knights of the Round Table (но также всех рыцарей Круглого Стола).

It is said (говорят: «это есть сказано») that when the king rode out on horseback (что когда король выезжал верхом: «на лошадиной спине»; to ride — ездить верхом, скакать), he often took Tom along with him (он часто брал Тома с собой), and if a shower came on (и если случался ливень), he used to creep into his majesty’s waistcoat pocket (он заползал в жилетный карман его величества), where he slept till the rain was over (где он спал, пока дождь не переставал).

King Arthur one day asked Tom about his parents (король Артур однажды спросил Тома о его родителях), wishing to know if they were as small as he was (желая знать, были ли они такие маленькие, как он был), and whether they were well off (и были ли они богаты). Tom told the king (Том рассказал королю) that his father and mother were as tall as anybody about the court (что его отец и мать были такие высокие, как кто угодно при дворе), but in rather poor circumstances (но в весьма бедных обстоятельствах = но весьма небогатые). On hearing this (услышав это), the king carried Tom to the treasury (король отнес Тома к сокровищнице), the place where he kept all his money (к месту, где он хранил все свои деньги), and told him to take as much money (и сказал ему взять так много денег) as he could carry home to his parents (как он мог отнести домой к своим родителям), which made the poor little fellow caper with joy (что заставило бедного маленького паренька прыгать от радости). Tom went immediately to procure a purse (Том пошел немедленно раздобыть кошелек), which was made of a water-bubble (который был сделан из пузыря воды), and then returned to the treasury (и затем вернулся к сокровищнице), where he received (где он получил) a silver three-penny-piece (серебряную трехпенсовую монету) to put into it (чтобы положить в него /кошелек/).

dwarf [dwo:f], majesty [`mæGəstı], procure [prə`kjuə]

A large fish swallowed Tom the moment he fell into the sea, which was soon after caught, and bought for the table of King Arthur. When they opened the fish in order to cook it, everyone was astonished at finding such a little boy, and Tom was delighted at being free again. They carried him to the king, who made Tom his dwarf, and he soon grew a great favourite at court; for by his tricks and gambols he not only amused the king and queen, but also all the Knights of the Round Table.

It is said that when the king rode out on horseback, he often took Tom along with him, and if a shower came on, he used to creep into his majesty’s waistcoat pocket, where he slept till the rain was over.

King Arthur one day asked Tom about his parents, wishing to know if they were as small as he was, and whether they were well off. Tom told the king that his father and mother were as tall as anybody about the court, but in rather poor circumstances. On hearing this, the king carried Tom to the treasury, the place where he kept all his money, and told him to take as much money as he could carry home to his parents, which made the poor little fellow caper with joy. Tom went immediately to procure a purse, which was made of a water-bubble, and then returned to the treasury, where he received a silver three-penny-piece to put into it.

Our little hero (наш маленький герой) had some difficulty (испытал некоторую сложность) in lifting the burden upon his back (в поднимании ноши на свою спину); but he at last succeeded (но он наконец преуспел) in getting it placed to his mind (в помещении ее по своему намерению = поместить ее так, как он хотел), and set forward on his journey (и отправился в свое путешествие). However (однако), without meeting with any accident (не встретившись с каким-либо происшествием), and after resting himself (и после того, как он отдохнул) more than a hundred times by the way (больше чем сто раз по пути), in two days and two nights (через два дня и две ночи) he reached his father’s house in safety (он достиг дома своего отца в сохранности = живым и невредимым).

Tom had travelled forty-eight hours (Том путешествовал сорок восемь часов) with a huge silver-piece on his back (с огромной серебряной монетой на спине), and was almost tired to death (и был почти усталый до смерти), when his mother ran out to meet him (когда его мать выбежала наружу, чтобы встретить его), and carried him into the house (и отнесла его в дом). But he soon returned to court (но он скоро вернулся ко двору).

As Tom’s clothes had suffered much in the batter-pudding (так как одежда Тома пострадала сильно: «много» в дрожжевом пудинге), and the inside of the fish (и внутренностях рыбы), his majesty ordered him a new suit of clothes (его величество заказал ему новый комплект одежды), and to be mounted as a knight on a mouse (и чтобы быть посаженным, как рыцарь, на мышь).

Of Butterfly’s wings his shirt was made (из крыльев бабочки его рубаха была сделана),
His boots of chicken’s hide (его башмаки из куриной кожи);
And by a nimble fairy blade (и проворным волшебным лезвием),
Well learned in the tailoring trade (хорошо ученым в портновском деле),
His clothing was supplied (его одежда была поставлена/дана; to supply — снабжать).
A needle dangled by his side (иголка болталась у его бока);
A dapper mouse he used to ride (на юркой мыши он ездил),
Thus strutted Tom in stately pride (так выступал Том в величественной гордости)!

It was certainly very diverting (это было точно очень развлекательно = забавно) to see Tom in this dress (видеть Тома в этой одежде) and mounted on the mouse (и взгромоздившегося на мышь), as he rode out a-hunting (когда он выезжал на охоту: «охотясь») with the king and nobility (с королем и знатью), who were all ready to expire with laughter (которые были все готовы умереть от смеха; to expire — выдыхать; угасать, испустить последний вздох, скончаться) at Tom and his fine prancing charger (вызванного Томом и его превосходным гарцующим скакуном).

difficulty [`dıfıkəltı], succeed [sək`si:d], nobility [nə`bılıtı]

Our little hero had some difficulty in lifting the burden upon his back; but he at last succeeded in getting it placed to his mind, and set forward on his journey. However, without meeting with any accident, and after resting himself more than a hundred times by the way, in two days and two nights he reached his father’s house in safety.

Tom had travelled forty-eight hours with a huge silver-piece on his back, and was almost tired to death, when his mother ran out to meet him, and carried him into the house. But he soon returned to court.

As Tom’s clothes had suffered much in the batter-pudding, and the inside of the fish, his majesty ordered him a new suit of clothes, and to be mounted as a knight on a mouse.

Of Butterfly’s wings his shirt was made,
His boots of chicken’s hide;
And by a nimble fairy blade,
Well learned in the tailoring trade,
His clothing was supplied.
A needle dangled by his side;
A dapper mouse he used to ride,
Thus strutted Tom in stately pride!

It was certainly very diverting to see Tom in this dress and mounted on the mouse, as he rode out a-hunting with the king and nobility, who were all ready to expire with laughter at Tom and his fine prancing charger.

The king was so charmed with his address (король был так очарован его обхождением) that he ordered a little chair to be made (что он приказал, чтобы сделали маленький стул), in order that Tom might sit upon his table (чтобы Том мог сидеть на его столе), and also a palace of gold (а также дворец из золота), a span high (в одну пядь высотой), with a door an inch wide (с дверью в один дюйм шириной), to live in (чтобы жить там). He also gave him a coach (он также дал ему карету), drawn by six small mice (движимую = запряженную шестью маленькими мышами).

The queen was so enraged at the honours conferred on Sir Thomas (королева была так разъярена почестями, оказанными сэру Томасу; rage — гнев, ярость; сравните: раж) that she resolved to ruin him (что она решила погубить его), and told the king that the little knight had been saucy to her (и сказала королю, что маленький рыцарь был дерзок к ней; sauce — соус; дерзость, наглость; нахальство).

The king sent for Tom in great haste (король послал за Томом в великой спешке), but being fully aware of the danger of royal anger (но, будучи полностью осведомлен об опасности королевского гнева), he crept into an empty snail-shell (тот заполз в пустую улиточную раковину), where he lay for a long time (где он лежал в течение долгого времени) until he was almost starved with hunger (пока он не был почти заморен голодом); but at last he ventured to peep out (но наконец он отважился выглянуть украдкой наружу), and seeing a fine large butterfly on the ground (и, видя прекрасную большую бабочку на земле), near the place of his concealment (близ места его укрытия; to conceal — укрывать, прятать), he got close to it (он подобрался близко к ней) and jumping astride on it (и, прыгнув верхом на нее), was carried up into the air (был унесен вверх в воздух). The butterfly flew with him from tree to tree (бабочка перелетала с ним от дерева к дереву; to fly — летать) and from field to field (и от поля к полю), and at last returned to the court (и, наконец, вернулась ко двору), where the king and nobility all strove to catch him (где король и знать все старались поймать его; to strive — стараться); but at last poor Tom fell from his seat (но, наконец, бедный Том упал со своего сиденья) into a watering-pot (в лейку; to water — поливать; pot — горшок), in which he was almost drowned (в которой он почти утонул = чуть не утонул).

address [ə`dres], saucy [`so:sı], concealment [kən`si:lmənt]

The king was so charmed with his address that he ordered a little chair to be made, in order that Tom might sit upon his table, and also a palace of gold, a span high, with a door an inch wide, to live in. He also gave him a coach, drawn by six small mice.

The queen was so enraged at the honours conferred on Sir Thomas that she resolved to ruin him, and told the king that the little knight had been saucy to her.

The king sent for Tom in great haste, but being fully aware of the danger of royal anger, he crept into an empty snail-shell, where he lay for a long time until he was almost starved with hunger; but at last he ventured to peep out, and seeing a fine large butterfly on the ground, near the place of his concealment, he got close to it and jumping astride on it, was carried up into the air. The butterfly flew with him from tree to tree and from field to field, and at last returned to the court, where the king and nobility all strove to catch him; but at last poor Tom fell from his seat into a watering-pot, in which he was almost drowned.

When the queen saw him (когда королева увидела его), she was in a rage (она была в ярости), and said he should be beheaded (и сказала, что он должен быть обезглавлен); and he was put into a mouse trap (и он был посажен в мышеловку) until the time of his execution (до времени его казни).

However, a cat, observing something alive in the trap (однако кот, увидев что-то живое в ловушке), patted it about (трогал/бил ее лапой; to pat — похлопывать; поглаживать; шлепать) till the wires broke (пока проволока не сломалась; to break — ломать/ся/), and set Thomas at liberty (и выпустил Томаса на свободу).

The king received Tom again into favour (король принял Тома снова в милость), which he did not live to enjoy (чем ему так и не довелось насладиться), for a large spider one day attacked him (ибо большой паук однажды напал на него); and although he drew his sword and fought well (и, хотя он вытащил свой меч и сражался хорошо), yet the spider’s poisonous breath at last overcame him (все же паучье ядовитое дыхание наконец сломило его; poison — яд).

He fell dead on the ground where he stood (он упал мертвый на землю, где он стоял),
And the spider suck’d every drop of his blood (и паук высосал каждую каплю его крови).

King Arthur and his whole court (король Артур и его весь двор) were so sorry (были так огорчены) at the loss of their little favourite (потерей их маленького любимца) that they went into mourning (что они впали в скорбь/плач, траур) and raised a fine white marble monument (и воздвигли прекрасный белый мраморный памятник) over his grave with the following epitaph (над его могилой со следующей эпитафией):

Here lies Tom Thumb, King Arthur’s knight (здесь лежит Том-палец, рыцарь короля Артура),
Who died by a spider’s cruel bite (который умер от паучьего жестокого укуса).
He was well known in Arthur’s court (он был хорошо известен при Артурове дворе),
Where he afforded gallant sport (где он предлагал = показывал доблестные развлечения = свое мастерство);
He rode a tilt and tournament (он ездил в бою на копьях и турнире; to ride — ездить верхом; tilt — наклон, наклонное положение; нападение всадника с копьем наперевес),
And on a mouse a-hunting went (и верхом на мыши на охоту ходил).
Alive he filled the court with mirth (живой = при жизни он наполнял двор весельем);
His death to sorrow soon gave birth (его смерть грусти скоро дала рождение).
Wipe, wipe your eyes, and shake your head (вытрите, вытрите ваши глаза и покачайте вашей головой)
And cry, — Alas! Tom Thumb is dead (и плачьте — увы, Том-палец мертв)!

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