Принц и нищий
Coronation Day
Johnappearedupontheplatform,andheldtheGreatSealaloftinhishand.Thensuchashoutwentup—
"LonglivethetrueKing!"
Forfiveminutestheairquakedwithshoutsandthecrashofmusicalinstruments,andwaswhitewithastormofwavinghandkerchiefs;andthroughitallaraggedlad,themostconspicuousfigureinEngland,stood,flushedandhappyandproud,inthecentreofthespaciousplatform,withthegreatvassalsofthekingdomkneelingaroundhim.
Thenallrose,andTomCantycriedout—
"Now,OmyKing,taketheseregalgarmentsback,andgivepoorTom,thyservant,hisshredsandremnantsagain."
TheLordProtectorspokeup—
"LetthesmallvarletbestrippedandflungintotheTower."
ButthenewKing,thetrueKing,said—
"Iwillnothaveitso.ButforhimIhadnotgotmycrownagain—noneshalllayahanduponhimtoharmhim.Andasforthee,mygooduncle,myLordProtector,thisconductofthineisnotgratefultowardthispoorlad,forIhearhehathmadetheeaduke"—theProtectorblushed—"yethewasnotaking;whereforewhatisthyfinetitleworthnow?To-morrowyoushallsuetome,throughhim,foritsconfirmation,elsenoduke,butasimpleearl,shaltthouremain."
Underthisrebuke,hisGracetheDukeofSomersetretiredalittlefromthefrontforthemoment.TheKingturnedtoTom,andsaidkindly—"Mypoorboy,howwasitthatyoucouldrememberwhereIhidtheSealwhenIcouldnotrememberitmyself?"
"Ah,myKing,thatwaseasy,sinceIuseditdiversdays."