Самые лучшие английские сказки, Матвеев Сергей Александрович

Самые лучшие английские сказки

на обложку

Матвеев Сергей Александрович

Шрифт:

Then said the heads one to another, “What shall we do for this girl who has used us so kindly? [173] ”

The first head said, “I will make her to be so beautiful that she could charm the most powerful prince in the world.”

The second head said, “I will give her a sweet voice. Even the nightingale would envy her.”

The third head said, “I will make her so fortunate that she could become queen to the greatest prince that reigns.”

She then let them down into the well again, and so went on her journey. She had not travelled long before she saw a king hunting in the park with his nobles. The king caught a sight of her, approached, and he liked her beauty and sweet voice very much. So he fell desperately in love with her, and soon induced her to marry him.

173

who has used us so kindly –

которая к нам отнеслась так по-доброму

This king found that she was the king’s daughter, ordered some chariots to be got ready. He wanted to pay the king, his father-in-law, a visit. The chariot in which the king and queen rode was adorned with rich gems of gold. The king, her father, was at first astonished that his daughter had been so fortunate, till the young king let him know of all that had happened. Great was the joy at Court among all, with the exception of the queen and her ugly daughter, who were ready to burst with envy. The rejoicings, with feasting and dancing, continued many days. Then they returned home with the dowry that her father gave her.

The hump-backed princess, perceiving that her sister had been so lucky in seeking her fortune, wanted to do the same. So she told her mother, and all preparations were made, and she was furnished with rich dresses, and with sugar, almonds, and sweets, in great quantities, and a large bottle of wine. With these she went the same road as her sister; and coming near the cave, the old man said, “Young woman, where are you going so fast?”

“What’s that to you? [174] ” said she.

174

What’s that to you? – А тебе какое дело?

“Then,” said he, “what have you in your bag and bottle?”

She answered, “Good things, which you shall not be troubled with. [175] ”

“Won’t you give me some?” said he.

“No, not a bit, nor a drop.”

The old man frowned, saying, “Evil fortune attend you!”

Going on, she came to the hedge, through which she espied a gap, and thought to pass through it; but the hedge closed, and the thorns ran into her flesh, so that it was with great difficulty that she got through. Being now all over blood, [176] she searched for water to wash herself, and, looking round, she saw the well. She sat down on the brink of it, and one of the heads came up, saying, “Wash me, comb me, and lay me down softly,” as before, but she banged it with her bottle, saying, “Take that for your washing.” So the second and third heads came up, and met with no better treatment than the first. The heads consulted among themselves what evils to plague her with for such usage.

175

which you shall not be troubled with – которые тебя не касаются

176

being now all over blood – вся в крови

The first said: “Let her be struck with leprosy in her face.”

The second: “Let her voice be as harsh as a corncrake’s.”

The third said: “Let her have for husband but a poor country cobbler.”

Well, she goes on till she came to a town. It was a market-day, the people looked at her, and, seeing such an ugly face, and hearing such an unpleasant voice, all ran away but [177] a poor country cobbler. Now he not long before had mended the shoes of an old hermit, who, having no money gave him a box of ointment for the cure of the leprosy, and a bottle of spirits for a harsh voice. So the cobbler having a mind to do an act of charity, was induced to go up to her and ask her who she was.

177

all ran away but –

все убежали, кроме

“I am,” said she, “the King’s daughter.”

“Well,” said the cobbler, “if I restore you to your natural complexion, and make a cure both in face and voice, will you in reward take me for a husband?”

“Yes, friend,” replied she, “with all my heart!”

With this the cobbler applied the remedies, and they made her well in a few weeks; after which they were married, and so set forward for the Court. When the queen found that her daughter had married nothing but a poor cobbler, she hanged herself in wrath. The death of the queen so pleased the king, who was glad to get rid of her so soon, [178] that he gave the cobbler a hundred pounds to quit the Court with his lady, and take to a remote part of the kingdom, where he lived many years mending shoes, his wife spinning the thread for him.

178

to get rid of her so soon – так скоро от неё избавиться