Английские легенды / English Legends

The porter, obeying his master’s commands, refused Gamelyn entrance; and the youth, angry at this insult, broke down the door with one blow, caught the porter, and flung him down the well in the courtyard. His brother’s servants fled from his anger, and the crowd that had accompanied him spread into courtyard and hall, while the knight took refuge in a little tower.

“Welcome to you all,” said Gamelyn. “We will be masters here and ask no man’s leave[36].

Yesterday I left five barrels of wine in the cellar; we will drain them dry before you go. If my brother objects (as he may, for he is greedy), I will be a butler and caterer myself and manage the whole feast. Any person who dares to protest may join the porter in the well.”

Naturally no objections followed, and Gamelyn and his friends held the carouse for a week, while Sir John was hiding in his tower, terrified at the noise and revelry, and fearing what his brother might do to him now he had so many followers.

However, the guests departed quietly on the eighth day, leaving Gamelyn alone, and very sorrowful, in the hall where he had held the feast. As he stood there sadly, he heard a timid footstep, and saw his brother coming towards him. When he had attracted Gamelyn’s attention he spoke out loudly: “Who made you so bold as to destroy all my household stores?”

“No, brother, be not angry,” said the youth quietly. “If I have used anything I have paid for it fully beforehand. For these sixteen years you have had full use and profit of fifteen good ploughlands which my father left me; you have also the use and increase of all my cattle and horses; and now all this past profit I abandon to you, in return for the expense of this feast of mine.”

Then said the treacherous Sir John: “Wait, my dear brother: I have no son, and you shall be my heir—I swear by the holy St. John.”

“Honestly, brother,” said Gamelyn, “if that is the case, and if this offer is made in all sincerity, may God reward you!” for it was impossible for him to suspect his brother of treachery.

Sir John hesitated a moment, and then said doubtfully: “There is one thing I must tell you, Gamelyn. When you threw my porter into the well I swore in my wrath that I would have you bound hand and foot. That is impossible now without your agreement, but I swore to god and cannot forget my promise. I will go to hell unless you let yourself be bound for a moment, as a mere form[37], just to save me from the sin.”

So sincere Sir John seemed, and so simple did the whole thing appear, that Gamelyn agreed at once. “Why, certainly, brother, you shall not go to hell for my sake.”

So he sat down, and the servants bound him hand and foot; and then Sir John looked mockingly at him as he said: “So now, my fine brother, I have you caught at last.” Then he ordered to chain him fast to a post in the centre of the hall. Gamelyn was placed on his feet with his back to the post and his hands tight behind him, and as he stood there the false brother told every person who entered that Gamelyn had suddenly gone mad, and was chained for safety’s sake, so that he would not do himself or others some deadly hurt. For two long days and nights he stood there bound, with no food or drink, and grew faint with hunger and weariness, for his ropes were so tight that he could not sit or lie down; bitterly he regretted the carelessness which made him fall such an easy prey

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Примечания

1

soaking wet – насквозь мокрый

2

Cappoquin – Каппоквин

3

elements – стихия

4

catch a glimpse – уловить движение

5

cracked from side to side – треснувшее от края до края

6

set the sail – поставить парус

7

seek refuge – искать приют

8

Maxem Wledig – Магн Максим, император-узурпатор Запада Римской империи в 383—388 годах.

9

City on the Seven Hills – Рим, «город на семи холмах»

10

tributary king – король подконтрольного империи королевства, обязанный платить метрополии дань

11

with a start – вздрогнув

12

groom of the chamber – смотритель покоев

13

Anglesey – Англси (остров на западном побережье Уэльса)

14

Arvon – Арвон (кантрев в Уэльсе)

15

Helena – Елена

16

of gentle breeding – знатного происхождения

17

Kynon – Кинон

18

Adeon – Адеон

19

Eudav – Юдав

20

Caradoc – Карадок

21

Caernarvon – Карнарвон

22

Caerlleon – Карлеон

23

Caermarthen – Кармартен

24

Gamelyn – Гэмлин

25

King Edward I – Эдуард I, правил Англией в 1272—1307 гг.

26

take to one’s bed – слечь в постель

27

for my sake – ради меня

28

summon one’s strength – собраться с силами

29

fall into decay – прийти в плачевное состояние, разрушаться

30

redress the wrongs – (зд.) возместить ущерб

31

beyond all measure – вне всякой меры

32

wring one’s hands – в отчаянии заламывать руки

33

woe to sth. – горе тому…

34

try one’s luck – попытать удачу

35

broke out with blessings – рассыпался в благословениях

36

ask leave – просить позволения

37

as a mere form – для проформы