Принц и нищий
Tom as King
Lateintheforenoonhewasinalargeaudience-chamber,conversingwiththeEarlofHertfordanddullyawaitingthestrikingofthehourappointedforavisitofceremonyfromaconsiderablenumberofgreatofficialsandcourtiers.
Afteralittlewhile,Tom,whohadwanderedtoawindowandbecomeinterestedinthelifeandmovementofthegreathighwaybeyondthepalacegates—andnotidlyinterested,butlongingwithallhishearttotakepartinpersoninitsstirandfreedom—sawthevanofahootingandshoutingmobofdisorderlymen,women,andchildrenofthelowestandpoorestdegreeapproachingfromuptheroad.
"IwouldIknewwhat‘tisabout!"heexclaimed,withallaboy’scuriosityinsuchhappenings.
"ThouarttheKing!"solemnlyrespondedtheEarl,withareverence."HaveIyourGrace’sleavetoact?"
"Oblithely,yes!Ogladly,yes!"exclaimedTomexcitedly,addingtohimselfwithalivelysenseofsatisfaction,"Intruth,beingakingisnotalldreariness—ithathitscompensationsandconveniences."
TheEarlcalledapage,andsenthimtothecaptainoftheguardwiththeorder—
"Letthemobbehalted,andinquirymadeconcerningtheoccasionofitsmovement.BytheKing’scommand!"
Afewsecondslateralongrankoftheroyalguards,casedinflashingsteel,filedoutatthegatesandformedacrossthehighwayinfrontofthemultitude.Amessengerreturned,toreportthatthecrowdwerefollowingaman,awoman,andayounggirltoexecutionforcrimescommittedagainstthepeaceanddignityoftherealm.
