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
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