Английская поэзия XIV–XX веков в современных русских переводах [билингва]

Then unto London I did me hie,
Of all the land it beareth the prize;
“Hot peascodes!” one began to cry;
“Strawberries ripe!” and “Cherries in the rise!”
One bade me come near and buy some spice;
Pepper and saffrone they ’gan me bede;
But, for lack of money, I might not speed.

Then to the Cheap I ‘gan me drawn,
Where much people I saw for to stand;
One offered me velvet, silk, and lawn;
Another he taketh me by the hand,
“Here is Paris thread, the finest in the land”;
I never was used to such things indeed;
And, wanting money, I might not speed.

Then I hied me into East Cheap:
One cries “Ribs of beef and many a pie!”
Pewter pots they clattered on a heap;
There was harpe, pipe, and minstrelsy:
“Yea, by cock!” “Nay, by cock!” some began cry;
Some sung of “Jenkin and Julian” for their meed;
But, for lack of money, I might not speed.

Then into Cornhill anon I yode
Where there was much stolen gear among;
I saw where hung my owne hood,
That I had lost among the throng:
To buy my own hood I thought it wrong;
I knew it as well as I did my creed;
But, for lack of money, I could not speed.

The Taverner took me by the sleeve;
“Sir”, saith he, “will you our wine assay?”
I answered, “That cannot much me grieve;
A penny can do no more than it may”.
I drank a pint, and for it did pay;
Yet, sore a-hungered from thence I yede;
And, wanting money, I could not speed.

Then hied I me to Billings-gate,
And one cried, “Ho! go we hence!”
I prayed a bargeman, for God’s sake,
That he would spare me my expense.
“Thou ’scap’st not here”, quoth he, “under twopence;
I list not yet bestow any almsdeed”.
Thus, lacking money, I could not speed.

Then I conveyed me into Kent;
For of the law would I meddle no more.
Because no man to me took intent,
I dight me to do as I did before.
Now Jesus that in Bethlehem was bore,
Save London and send true lawyers their meed!
For whoso wants money with them shall not speed.