Принц и нищий
The Prince and the hermit
Buthehathnotescapedthefires!No,hehathnotescapedthefires,theconsuming,unpitying,remorselessfires—andtheyareeverlasting!"
Andsohewrought,andstillwrought—mumbling,chucklingalowraspingchuckleattimes—andattimesbreakingagainintowords—
"Itwashisfatherthatdiditall.Iambutanarchangel;butforhimIshouldbepope!"
TheKingstirred.Thehermitsprangnoiselesslytothebedside,andwentdownuponhisknees,bendingovertheprostrateformwithhisknifeuplifted.Theboystirredagain;hiseyescameopenforaninstant,buttherewasnospeculationinthem,theysawnothing;thenextmomenthistranquilbreathingshowedthathissleepwassoundoncemore.
Thehermitwatchedandlistened,foratime,keepinghispositionandscarcelybreathing;thenheslowlyloweredhisarms,andpresentlycreptaway,saying,—
"Itislongpastmidnight;itisnotbestthatheshouldcryout,lestbyaccidentsomeonebepassing."
Heglidedabouthishovel,gatheringaraghere,athongthere,andanotheroneyonder;thenhereturned,andbycarefulandgentlehandlinghemanagedtotietheKing’sanklestogetherwithoutwakinghim.Nextheessayedtotiethewrists;hemadeseveralattemptstocrossthem,buttheboyalwaysdrewonehandortheotheraway,justasthecordwasreadytobeapplied;butatlast,whenthearchangelwasalmostreadytodespair,theboycrossedhishandshimself,andthenextmomenttheywerebound
