Irish Tales / Ирландские сказки. Книга для чтения на английском языке

�And who won’t you have, may I be so bold as to ask?’ said a farmer, who had just come up with a drove of cattle and was turning in for a glass.

�It’s the king’s daughter. They are bothering the life out of me to marry her.’

�You’re the lucky fellow. I’d give something to be in your shoes.’

�Do you see that now! Wouldn’t it be a fine thing for a farmer to be marrying a princess, all dressed in gold and jewels?’

�Jewels, do you say? Ah, now, couldn’t you take me with you?’

�Well, you’re an honest fellow, and as I don’t care for the king’s daughter, though she’s as beautiful as the day, and is covered with jewels from top to toe, you shall have her.

Just undo the cord, and let me out; they tied me up tight, as they knew I’d run away from her.’

Out crawled Donald, in crept the farmer.

�Now lie still, and don’t mind the shaking; it’s only rumbling over the palace steps you’ll be.

And maybe they’ll abuse you for a vagabond, who won’t have the king’s daughter; but you needn’t mind that. Ah! It’s a deal I’m giving up for you, sure as it is that I don’t care for the princess.’

�Take my cattle in exchange,’ said the farmer; and you may guess it wasn’t long before Donald was at their tails driving them homewards.

Out came Hudden and Dudden, and the one took one end of the pole, and the other the other.

�I’m thinking he’s heavier,’ said Hudden.

�Ah, never mind,’ said Dudden; �it’s only a step now to the Brown Lake.’

�I’ll have her now! I’ll have her now!’ bawled the farmer, from inside the sack.

�By my faith[8 - By my faith – от лат. bona fide, по чести говоря; клянусь честью], and you shall though,’ said Hudden, and he laid his stick across the sack.

�I’ll have her! I’ll have her!’ bawled the farmer, louder than ever.

�Well, here you are,’ said Dudden, for they were now come to the Brown Lake, and, unslinging the sack, they pitched it plump into the lake.

�You’ll not be playing your tricks on us any longer,’ said Hudden.

�True for you,’ said Dudden. �Ah, Donald, my boy, it was an ill day when you borrowed my scales.