Тема 1 Наближені обчислення 4 страница

While he was thinking what he should do (пока он думал, что он должен делать = что ему делать), the Bells of Bow Church (колокола церкви Боу), which at that time were only six (которых в то время было только шесть), began to ring (начали звонить), and at their sound seemed to say to him (и при их звуке, казалось, говорили ему):

‘Turn again, Whittington (повернись/вернись снова, Уиттингтон),
Thrice Lord Mayor of London (трижды Лорд-Мэр Лондона).’

‘Lord Mayor of London (лорд-мэр Лондона)!’ said he to himself (сказал он себе). ‘Why (как же: «почему»), to be sure (конечно), I would put up with almost anything now (я бы смирился с почти чем угодно теперь), to be Lord Mayor of London (чтобы быть лорд-мэром Лондона), and ride in a fine coach (и ездить в прекрасной карете), when I grow to be a man (когда я вырасту, чтобы быть мужчиной = и стану мужчиной)! Well, I will go back (ну, я пойду назад), and think nothing of the cuffing and scolding of the old cook (и не буду думать ничего о трепке и брани старой поварихи), if I am to be Lord Mayor of London at last (если мне предстоит стать лорд-мэром Лондона в конечном счете).’

Dick went back (Дик пошел назад), and was lucky enough (и был удачлив достаточно) to get into the house (чтобы попасть в дом), and set about his work (и приняться за свою работу) before the old cook came downstairs (прежде, чем старая повариха спустилась вниз по лестнице).

We must now follow Miss Puss to the coast of Africa (мы теперь должны последовать за мисс Кошкой к берегу Африки). The ship with the cat on board (корабль с кошкой на борту) was a long time at sea (был долгое время на море); and was at last driven by the winds (и был, наконец, пригнан ветрами) on a part of the coast of Barbary (к /той/ части берега Берберии), where the only people were the Moors (где единственные люди были мавры), unknown to the English (неизвестные англичанам). The people came in great numbers to see the sailors (люди пришли в больших количествах: «числах», чтобы увидеть моряков), because they were of different colour to themselves (потому что те были другого цвета по сравнению с ними самими), and treated them civilly (и обращались с ними учтиво); and, when they became better acquainted (и когда они стали лучше знакомы), were very eager (были очень жаждущими = страстно хотели; eager — страстно желающий, жаждущий) to buy the fine things (купить прекрасные вещи) that the ship was loaded with (которыми был нагружен корабль).

jealous [`Geləs], Moor [muə], acquainted [ə`kweıntıd]

This, and many other marks of kindness shown him by Miss Alice, made the ill-tempered cook jealous of poor Dick, and she began to use him more cruelly than ever, and always made game of him for sending his cat to sea. She asked him: ‘Do you think your cat will sell for as much money as would buy a stick to beat you?’

At last poor Dick could not bear this usage any longer, and he thought he would run away from his place; so he packed up his few things, and started very early in the morning, on All-Hallows Day, the first of November. He walked as far as Holloway; and there sat down on a stone, which to this day is called ‘Whittington’s Stone’, and began to think to himself which road he should take.

While he was thinking what he should do, the Bells of Bow Church, which at that time were only six, began to ring, and at their sound seemed to say to him:

‘Turn again, Whittington,
Thrice Lord Mayor of London.’

‘Lord Mayor of London!’ said he to himself. ‘Why, to be sure, I would put up with almost anything now, to be Lord Mayor of London, and ride in a fine coach, when I grow to be a man! Well, I will go back, and think nothing of the cuffing and scolding of the old cook, if I am to be Lord Mayor of London at last.’

Dick went back, and was lucky enough to get into the house, and set about his work before the old cook came downstairs.

We must now follow Miss Puss to the coast of Africa. The ship with the cat on board was a long time at sea; and was at last driven by the winds on a part of the coast of Barbary, where the only people were the Moors, unknown to the English. The people came in great numbers to see the sailors, because they were of different colour to themselves, and treated them civilly; and, when they became better acquainted, were very eager to buy the fine things that the ship was loaded with.

When the captain saw this (когда капитан увидел это), he sent patterns of the best things he had (он послал образцы лучших вещей, которые у него были) to the king of the country (королю той страны); who was so much pleased with them (который был так сильно: «много» порадован ими) that he sent for the captain to the palace (что он послал за капитаном во дворец). Here they were placed (здесь они были помещены), as it is the custom of the country (как это в обычае той страны), on rich carpets flowered with gold and silver (на богатые ковры, украшенные золотом и серебром). The king and queen were seated at the upper end of the room (король и королева были усажены на верхнем конце комнаты = в парадной части комнаты); and a number of dishes (и множество: «некое число» блюд) were brought in for dinner (было внесено внутрь для обеда). They had not sat long (они не сидели долго = им не пришлось долго ждать), when a vast number of rats and mice rushed in (как огромное число крыс и мышей вбежало внутрь), and devoured all the meat in an instant (и сожрало все мясо в одно мгновение). The captain wondered at this (капитан подивился на это), and asked if these vermin were not unpleasant (и спросил, не были ли эти вредители неприятными).

‘Oh, yes (о да),’ said they (сказали они), ‘very offensive (весьма отвратительные); and the king would give half his treasure (и король дал бы половину его сокровищ) to be freed of them (чтобы быть освобожденным от них), for they not only destroy his dinner (ибо они не только уничтожают его обед), as you see (как вы видите), but they assault him in his chamber (но и нападают на него в его покоях), and even in bed (и даже в кровати), so that he is obliged (так что он вынужден) to be watched while he is sleeping (быть наблюдаемым, пока он есть спящий), for fear of them (из-за ужаса перед ними).’

The captain jumped for joy (капитан подпрыгнул от радости); he remembered poor Whittington and his cat (он вспомнил бедного Уиттингтона и его кошку), and told the king he had a creature on board the ship (и рассказал королю, что у него было существо на борту корабля) that would dispatch all these vermin immediately (которое бы расправилось со всеми этими вредителями немедленно). The king jumped so high at the joy (король подпрыгнул так высоко при радости) which the news gave him (которую новость дала ему) that his turban dropped off his head (что его тюрбан свалился с его головы). ‘Bring this creature to me (принесите это создание ко мне),’ says he (говорит он); ‘vermin are dreadful in a court (вредители ужасны при дворе), and if she will perform what you say (и если она пожелает исполнить то, что ты говоришь), I will load your ship with gold and jewels (я нагружу твой корабль золотом и драгоценными камнями) in exchange for her (в обмен на нее).’

The captain, who knew his business (капитан, который знал свое дело), took his opportunity (воспользовался своей возможностью) to set forth (подчеркнуть: «поставить вперед») the merits of Miss Puss (достоинства мисс Кошки). He told his majesty (он сказал его величеству): ‘It is not very convenient to part with her (это не очень подходяще — расстаться с ней), as (так как), when she is gone (когда она уйдет = исчезнет), the rats and mice may destroy the goods in the ship (крысы и мыши могут уничтожить товары на корабле) — but to oblige your majesty (но, чтобы услужить вашему величеству), I will fetch her (я принесу ее).’

‘Run, run (бегите, бегите)!’ said the queen (сказала королева); ‘I am impatient to see the dear creature (я нетерпелива = сгораю от нетерпения увидеть славное создание).’

pattern [`pætən], dispatch [dıs`pætS], impatient [ım`peıSənt]

When the captain saw this, he sent patterns of the best things he had to the king of the country; who was so much pleased with them that he sent for the captain to the palace. Here they were placed, as it is the custom of the country, on rich carpets flowered with gold and silver. The king and queen were seated at the upper end of the room; and a number of dishes were brought in for dinner. They had not sat long, when a vast number of rats and mice rushed in, and devoured all the meat in an instant. The captain wondered at this, and asked if these vermin were not unpleasant.

‘Oh, yes,’ said they, ‘very offensive; and the king would give half his treasure to be freed of them, for they not only destroy his dinner, as you see, but they assault him in his chamber, and even in bed, so that he is obliged to be watched while he is sleeping, for fear of them.’

The captain jumped for joy; he remembered poor Whittington and his cat, and told the king he had a creature on board the ship that would dispatch all these vermin immediately. The king jumped so high at the joy which the news gave him that his turban dropped off his head. ‘Bring this creature to me,’ says he; ‘vermin are dreadful in a court, and if she will perform what you say, I will load your ship with gold and jewels in exchange for her.’

The captain, who knew his business, took his opportunity to set forth the merits of Miss Puss. He told his majesty: ‘It is not very convenient to part with her, as, when she is gone, the rats and mice may destroy the goods in the ship — but to oblige your majesty, I will fetch her.’

‘Run, run!’ said the queen; ‘I am impatient to see the dear creature.’

Away went the captain to the ship (и капитан пошел к кораблю), while another dinner was got ready (в то время как был приготовлен другой обед). He put Puss under his arm (он взял кошку под свою руку), and arrived at the palace (и прибыл ко дворцу) just in time (как раз вовремя) to see the table full of rats (чтобы увидеть стол, полный крыс). When the cat saw them (когда кошка увидела их), she did not wait for bidding (она не дожидалась просьбы), but jumped out of the captain’s arms (но выпрыгнула из рук капитана), and in a few minutes (и в несколько минут) laid almost all the rats and mice dead at her feet (уложила почти всех крыс и мышей мертвыми к ее ногам; to lay — класть). The rest of them (остальные из них) in their fright (в ужасе) scampered away to their holes (удрали прочь к своим норам).

The king was quite charmed (король был совершенно очарован) to get rid so easily (избавиться так легко) of such plagues (от таких бед), and the queen desired that the creature (и королева пожелала, чтобы создание) who had done them so great a kindness (которое оказало им такое великое благодеяние) might be brought to her (могло быть принесено к ней), that she might look at her (чтобы она могла посмотреть на него: «на нее»). Upon which the captain called (на что капитан позвал): ‘Pussy, pussy, pussy (кис-кис-кис)!’ and she came to him (и она подошла к нему). He then presented her to the queen (он затем представил ее королеве), who started back (которая отпрянула назад), and was afraid to touch a creature (и боялась тронуть существо) who had made such a havoc (которое устроило такое разорение) among the rats and mice (среди крыс и мышей). However, when the captain stroked the cat and called (однако, когда капитан погладил кошку и позвал): ‘Pussy, pussy (кис-кис)’, the queen also touched her and cried (королева тоже тронула ее и воскликнула): ‘Putty, putty (искаж.)’, for she had not learned English (ибо она не выучила английского). He then put her down on the queen’s lap (он затем положил ее /кошку/ на колени королевы), where she purred and played with her majesty’s hand (где она мурлыкала и играла рукой ее величества), and then purred herself to sleep (и затем замурлыкала себя ко сну).

The king, having seen the exploits of Miss Puss (король, увидев подвиги мисс Кошки), and being informed (и быв информирован = и когда ему сообщили) that her kittens would stock the whole country (что ее котята наполнят целую страну), and keep it free from rats (и будут хранить ее свободной от крыс), bargained with the captain for the whole ship’s cargo (договорился с капитаном о целом грузе корабля), and then gave him ten times as much for the cat (и затем дал ему в десять раз больше: «десять раз так много» за кошку) as all the rest amounted to (чему равнялось все остальное).

The captain then took leave of the royal party (капитан тогда покинул королевский пир), and set sail with a fair wind for England (и пустился в плавание с попутным ветром к Англии), and after a happy voyage (и после счастливого путешествия) arrived safe in London (прибыл сохранный = живым и невредимым в Лондон).

One morning (одним утром), early (рано), Mr Fitzwarren had just come to his counting-house (господин Фицуоррен только что пришел в свою контору) and seated himself at the desk (и уселся у письменного стола), to count over the cash (чтобы пересчитать наличные), and settle the business for the day (и определить дела на день), when somebody came (когда кто-то пришел) tap, tap (тук-тук), at the door (по двери). ‘Who’s there (кто там)?’ said Mr Fitzwarren. ‘A friend (друг),’ answered the other (ответил другой); ‘I come to bring you good news of your ship Unicorn (я прихожу, чтобы принести вам хорошую новость о вашем корабле Единорог).’ The merchant (торговец), bustling up in such a hurry that he forgot his gout (поторопившись в такой спешке, что он забыл свою подагру), opened the door (открыл дверь), and who should he see waiting but the captain and factor (и кого должен был он увидеть ждущими, как не капитана и доверенное лицо; factor — доверенное лицо, представитель), with a cabinet of jewels (с ящичком драгоценных камней) and a bill of lading (и накладной); when he looked at this (когда он посмотрел на это) the merchant lifted up his eyes (торговец поднял вверх свои глаза) and thanked Heaven (и поблагодарил Небеса) for sending him such a prosperous voyage (за посылание ему такого выгодного плавания).

creature [`kri:tSə], unicorn [`ju:nıko:n], prosperous [`prospərəs]

Away went the captain to the ship, while another dinner was got ready. He put Puss under his arm, and arrived at the palace just in time to see the table full of rats. When the cat saw them, she did not wait for bidding, but jumped out of the captain’s arms, and in a few minutes laid almost all the rats and mice dead at her feet. The rest of them in their fright scampered away to their holes.

The king was quite charmed to get rid so easily of such plagues, and the queen desired that the creature who had done them so great a kindness might be brought to her, that she might look at her. Upon which the captain called: ‘Pussy, pussy, pussy!’ and she came to him. He then presented her to the queen, who started back, and was afraid to touch a creature who had made such a havoc among the rats and mice. However, when the captain stroked the cat and called: ‘Pussy, pussy’, the queen also touched her and cried: ‘Putty, putty’, for she had not learned English. He then put her down on the queen’s lap, where she purred and played with her majesty’s hand, and then purred herself to sleep.

The king, having seen the exploits of Miss Puss, and being informed that her kittens would stock the whole country, and keep it free from rats, bargained with the captain for the whole ship’s cargo, and then gave him ten times as much for the cat as all the rest amounted to.

The captain then took leave of the royal party, and set sail with a fair wind for England, and after a happy voyage arrived safe in London.

One morning, early, Mr Fitzwarren had just come to his counting-house and seated himself at the desk, to count over the cash, and settle the business for the day, when somebody came tap, tap, at the door. ‘Who’s there?’ said Mr Fitzwarren. ‘A friend,’ answered the other; ‘I come to bring you good news of your ship Unicorn.’ The merchant, bustling up in such a hurry that he forgot his gout, opened the door, and who should he see waiting but the captain and factor, with a cabinet of jewels and a bill of lading; when he looked at this the merchant lifted up his eyes and thanked Heaven for sending him such a prosperous voyage.

They then told the story of the cat (затем они рассказали историю о кошке), and showed the rich present (и показали богатый подарок) that the king and queen had sent for her to poor Dick (который король и королева послали за нее бедному Дику). As soon as the merchant heard this (как только торговец услышал это), he called out to his servants (он позвал своих слуг):

‘Go send him in (идите и пришлите его ко мне: «внутрь»), and tell him of his fame (и скажите ему о его славе);
Pray call him Mr Whittington by name (прошу, зовите его господином Уиттингтоном по имени).’

Mr Fitzwarren now showed himself to be a good man (господин Фицуоррен теперь показал себя хорошим человеком); for when some of his servants (ибо когда некоторые из его слуг) said so great a treasure was too much for him (сказали, что такое великое сокровище было слишком много для того), he answered (он ответил): ‘God forbid I should deprive him (Господь не допусти = Боже упаси, чтобы я лишил его) of the value of a single penny (ценности /хотя бы/ единственного пенни); it is his own (это его собственное), and he shall have it to a farthing (и он получит его до последнего фартинга).’

He then sent for Dick (он затем послал за Диком), who at that time was scouring pots for the cook (который в то время чистил горшки для поварихи), and was quite dirty (и был совершенно грязный). He would have excused himself from coming (он хотел отказаться: «извинить себя» от того, чтобы прийти) into the counting-house, saying (в контору, говоря), ‘The room is swept (комната прибрана; to sweep — подметать), and my shoes are dirty and full of hob-nails (а мои башмаки грязны и полны гвоздей).’ But the merchant ordered him to come in (но торговец приказал ему войти).

Mr Fitzwarren ordered a chair to be set for him (господин Фицуоррен приказал, чтобы для него поставили стул), and so he began to think they were making game of him (так что тот начал думать, что они делают из него посмешище), and at the same time said to them (и в то же время сказал к ним): ‘Do not play tricks with a poor simple boy (не играйте шуток с бедным простым парнем), but let me go down again (но позвольте мне спуститься вниз снова), if you please (если вам угодно), to my work (к моей работе).’

‘Indeed, Mr Whittington (поистине, господин Уиттингтон),’ said the merchant (сказал торговец), ‘we are all quite in earnest with you (мы все совершенно всерьез = серьезны с вами), and I most heartily rejoice in the news (и я весьма сердечно радуюсь новости) that these gentlemen have brought you (которую эти джентльмены принесли вам); for the captain has sold your cat to the King of Barbary (ибо капитан продал вашу кошку королю Берберии), and brought you in return for her (и привез вам вместо нее; in return — взамен) more riches than I possess in the whole world (больше богатств, чем я обладаю в целом мире); and I wish you may long enjoy them (и я желаю, чтобы вы могли долго наслаждаться ими)!’

Mr Fitzwarren then told the men to open the great treasure they had brought with them (господин Фицуоррен затем сказал людям открыть великое сокровище, которое они привезли с собой), and said (и сказал): ‘Mr Whittington has nothing to do (господин Уиттингтон не должен ничего делать) but to put it in some place of safety (кроме как положить его в какое-нибудь место сохранности).’

Poor Dick hardly knew how to behave himself for joy (бедный Дик едва знал, как соблюдать приличия от радости; to behave oneself — вести себя прилично). He begged his master to take what part of it he pleased (он попросил своего хозяина взять какую часть от этого он хотел = любую часть этого), since he owed it all to his kindness (так как он был обязан всем этим его доброте). ‘No, no,’ answered Mr Fitzwarren, ‘this is all your own (это все ваше собственное); and I have no doubt you will use it well (и у меня нет никакого сомнения, что вы используете это хорошо).’

Dick next asked his mistress (Дик затем попросил свою хозяйку), and then Miss Alice (и затем мисс Алису), to accept a part of his good fortune (принять часть его доброй фортуны; fortune — удача; имущество); but they would not (но они не захотели), and at the same time told him (и в то же время сказали ему) they felt great joy at his good success (что они чувствовали великую радость из-за его хорошего успеха). But this poor fellow was too kind-hearted (но этот бедный парень был слишком добросердечен) to keep it all to himself (чтобы сохранить это все себе); so he made a present to the captain (так что он сделал подарок капитану), the mate (помощнику капитана), and the rest of Mr Fitzwarren’s servants (и остальным из слуг господина Фицуоррена); and even to the ill-natured old cook (и даже сварливой старой поварихе).

deprive [dı`praıv], kindness [`kaındnıs], success [sək`ses]

They then told the story of the cat, and showed the rich present that the king and queen had sent for her to poor Dick. As soon as the merchant heard this, he called out to his servants:

‘Go send him in, and tell him of his fame;
Pray call him Mr Whittington by name.’

Mr Fitzwarren now showed himself to be a good man; for when some of his servants said so great a treasure was too much for him, he answered: ‘God forbid I should deprive him of the value of a single penny; it is his own, and he shall have it to a farthing.’

He then sent for Dick, who at that time was scouring pots for the cook, and was quite dirty. He would have excused himself from coming into the counting-house, saying, ‘The room is swept, and my shoes are dirty and full of hob-nails.’ But the merchant ordered him to come in.

Mr Fitzwarren ordered a chair to be set for him, and so he began to think they were making game of him, and at the same time said to them: ‘Do not play tricks with a poor simple boy, but let me go down again, if you please, to my work.’

‘Indeed, Mr Whittington,’ said the merchant, ‘we are all quite in earnest with you, and I most heartily rejoice in the news that these gentlemen have brought you; for the captain has sold your cat to the King of Barbary, and brought you in return for her more riches than I possess in the whole world; and I wish you may long enjoy them!’

Mr Fitzwarren then told the men to open the great treasure they had brought with them, and said: ‘Mr Whittington has nothing to do but to put it in some place of safety.’

Poor Dick hardly knew how to behave himself for joy. He begged his master to take what part of it he pleased, since he owed it all to his kindness. ‘No, no,’ answered Mr Fitzwarren, ‘this is all your own; and I have no doubt you will use it well.’

Dick next asked his mistress, and then Miss Alice, to accept a part of his good fortune; but they would not, and at the same time told him they felt great joy at his good success. But this poor fellow was too kind-hearted to keep it all to himself; so he made a present to the captain, the mate, and the rest of Mr Fitzwarren’s servants; and even to the ill-natured old cook.

After this Mr Fitzwarren advised him to send for a proper tailor (после этого господин Фицуоррен посоветовал ему послать за приличным портным), and get himself dressed like a gentleman (и одеться как джентльмен); and told him he was welcome to live in his house (и сказал ему, что тот мог: «был желанным» жить в его доме) till he could provide himself with a better one (пока он не сможет: снабдить себя лучшим = обзавестись лучшим домом).

When Whittington’s face was washed (когда лицо Уиттингтона было вымыто), his hair curled (его волосы завиты), his hat cocked (его шляпа заломлена), and he was dressed in a nice suit of clothes (и он был одет в приятный/отличный костюм одежды), he was as handsome and genteel as any young man (он был такой красивый и элегантный, как любой молодой человек) who visited at Mr Fitzwarren’s (который гостил у господина Фицуоррена); so that Miss Alice, who had once been so kind to him (так что мисс Алиса, которая была однажды так добра к нему), and thought of him with pity (и думала о нем с жалостью), now looked upon him as fit to be her sweetheart (теперь смотрела на него как подходящего, чтобы быть ее возлюбленным); and the more so (и тем более так), no doubt (никакого сомнения), because Whittington was now always thinking (потому что Уиттингтон теперь постоянно думал) what he could do to oblige her (что бы он мог сделать, чтобы услужить ей), and making her the prettiest presents that could be (и преподносил ей самые прелестные подарки, которые только могут быть).

Mr Fitzwarren soon saw their love for each other (господин Фицуоррен скоро увидел их любовь друг к другу: «для каждого другого»), and proposed to join them in marriage (и предложил соединить их в браке); and to this they both readily agreed (и на это они оба с готовностью согласились). A day for the wedding was soon fixed (день для венчания был скоро назначен); and they were attended to church by the Lord Mayor (и они были сопровождены к церкви лорд-мэром), the court of aldermen (двором старейшин), the sheriffs (шерифами), and a great number of the richest merchants in London (и большим числом богатейших торговцев в Лондоне), whom they afterwards treated with a very rich feast (которых они потом порадовали очень богатым пиром).

History tells us (история говорит нам) that Mr Whittington and his lady lived in great splendour (что господин Уиттингтон и его дама жили в великой пышности), and were very happy (и были очень счастливы). They had several children (у них было несколько детей). He was Sheriff of London (он был шерифом Лондона), thrice Lord Mayor (трижды лорд-мэром), and received the honour of knighthood by Henry V (и получил честь рыцарства от Генриха V).

He entertained this king and his queen at dinner (он принял этого короля и его королеву), after his conquest of France (после его завоевания Франции), so grandly (так великолепно), that the king said (что король сказал): ‘Never had prince such a subject (никогда не было у властелина такого подданного)’; when Sir Richard heard this, he said (когда сэр Ричард услышал это, он сказал): ‘Never had subject such a prince (никогда не было у подданного такого властелина).’

The figure of Sir Richard Whittington with his cat in his arms (фигура сэра Ричарда Уиттингтона с его кошкой в его руках), carved in stone (высеченная в камне), was to be seen (могла быть увидена) till the year 1780 (до 1780 года) over the archway of the old prison at Newgate (над аркой старой тюрьмы в Ньюгейте), which he built for criminals (которую он построил для преступников).

genteel [Gən`ti:l], splendour [`splendə], 1780 = 17 80 = seventeen eighty [`sevnti:n `eıtı]

After this Mr Fitzwarren advised him to send for a proper tailor, and get himself dressed like a gentleman; and told him he was welcome to live in his house till he could provide himself with a better one.

When Whittington’s face was washed, his hair curled, his hat cocked, and he was dressed in a nice suit of clothes, he was as handsome and genteel as any young man who visited at Mr Fitzwarren’s; so that Miss Alice, who had once been so kind to him, and thought of him with pity, now looked upon him as fit to be her sweetheart; and the more so, no doubt, because Whittington was now always thinking what he could do to oblige her, and making her the prettiest presents that could be.

Mr Fitzwarren soon saw their love for each other, and proposed to join them in marriage; and to this they both readily agreed. A day for the wedding was soon fixed; and they were attended to church by the Lord Mayor, the court of aldermen, the sheriffs, and a great number of the richest merchants in London, whom they afterwards treated with a very rich feast.

History tells us that Mr Whittington and his lady lived in great splendour, and were very happy. They had several children. He was Sheriff of London, thrice Lord Mayor, and received the honour of knighthood by Henry V.

He entertained this king and his queen at dinner, after his conquest of France, so grandly, that the king said: ‘Never had prince such a subject’; when Sir Richard heard this, he said: ‘Never had subject such a prince.’

The figure of Sir Richard Whittington with his cat in his arms, carved in stone, was to be seen till the year 1780 over the archway of the old prison at Newgate, which he built for criminals.

The Strange Visitor (Странный посетитель)

A WOMAN was sitting at her reel one night (одна женщина сидела у своего мотовила одной ночью);
And still she sat (и тихо она сидела), and still she reeled (и тихо она мотала), and still she wished for company (и тихо она мечтала о товарище; to wish — желать).

In came a pair of broad broad soles (внутрь пришла пара широких-широких подметок), and sat down at the fireside (и уселась у огня);
And still she sat (и тихо она сидела), and still she reeled (и тихо она мотала), and still she wished for company (и тихо она мечтала о товарище).