Принц и нищий
Coronation Day
Whenallwerefinallyseated,thespectaclefromthegalleriesandallcoignsofvantagewascomplete;agorgeousonetolookuponandtoremember.
Nowtherobedandmitredgreatheadsofthechurch,andtheirattendants,filedinupontheplatformandtooktheirappointedplaces;thesewerefollowedbytheLordProtectorandothergreatofficials,andtheseagainbyasteel-claddetachmentoftheGuard.
Therewasawaitingpause;then,atasignal,atriumphantpealofmusicburstforth,andTomCanty,clothedinalongrobeofclothofgold,appearedatadoor,andsteppedupontheplatform.Theentiremultituderose,andtheceremonyoftheRecognitionensued.
ThenanobleanthemswepttheAbbeywithitsrichwavesofsound;andthusheraldedandwelcomed,TomCantywasconductedtothethrone.Theancientceremonieswenton,withimpressivesolemnity,whilsttheaudiencegazed;andastheydrewnearerandnearertocompletion,TomCantygrewpale,andstillpaler,andadeepandsteadilydeepeningwoeanddespondencysettleddownuponhisspiritsanduponhisremorsefulheart.
Atlastthefinalactwasathand.TheArchbishopofCanterburyliftedupthecrownofEnglandfromitscushionandhelditoutoverthetremblingmock-King’shead.Inthesameinstantarainbow-radianceflashedalongthespacioustransept;forwithoneimpulseeveryindividualinthegreatconcourseofnoblesliftedacoronetandpoiseditoverhisorherhead—andpausedinthatattitude.
AdeephushpervadedtheAbbey.
