Принц и нищий
At Guildhall
AndwhileTom,inhishighseat,wasgazinguponthis‘wild’dancing,lostinadmirationofthedazzlingcomminglingofkaleidoscopiccolourswhichthewhirlingturmoilofgaudyfiguresbelowhimpresented,theraggedbutreallittlePrinceofWaleswasproclaiminghisrightsandhiswrongs,denouncingtheimpostor,andclamouringforadmissionatthegatesofGuildhall!Thecrowdenjoyedthisepisodeprodigiously,andpressedforwardandcranedtheirneckstoseethesmallrioter.Presentlytheybegantotaunthimandmockathim,purposelytogoadhimintoahigherandstillmoreentertainingfury.Tearsofmortificationsprangtohiseyes,buthestoodhisgroundanddefiedthemobrightroyally.Othertauntsfollowed,addedmockingsstunghim,andheexclaimed—
"Itellyeagain,youpackofunmannerlycurs,IamthePrinceofWales!AndallforlornandfriendlessasIbe,withnonetogivemewordofgraceorhelpmeinmyneed,yetwillnotIbedrivenfrommyground,butwillmaintainit!"
"Thoughthoubeprinceornoprince,‘tisallone,thoube’stagallantlad,andnotfriendlessneither!HerestandIbythysidetoproveit;andmindItelltheethoumight’sthaveaworserfriendthanMilesHendonandyetnottirethylegswithseeking.Restthysmalljaw,mychild;Italkthelanguageofthesebasekennel-ratsliketoaverynative."
ThespeakerwasasortofDonCaesardeBazanindress,aspect,andbearing.Hewastall,trim-built,muscular.
