Принц и нищий

           Manytestifiedthatawitch,sincegonefromthevillage,noneknowwhither,didforetell,andspeakitprivatelyintheirears,thatthesickmanwoulddiebypoison—andmore,thatastrangerwouldgiveit—astrangerwithbrownhairandclothedinawornandcommongarb;andsurelythisprisonerdothanswerwoundilytothebill.PleaseyourMajestytogivethecircumstancethatsolemnweightwhichisitsdue,seeingitwasforetold."

           Thiswasanargumentoftremendousforceinthatsuperstitiousday.Tomfeltthatthethingwassettled;ifevidencewasworthanything,thispoorfellow’sguiltwasproved.Stillheofferedtheprisonerachance,saying—

           "Ifthoucanstsayaughtinthybehalf,speak."

           "Noughtthatwillavail,myKing.Iaminnocent,yetcannotImakeitappear.Ihavenofriends,elsemightIshowthatIwasnotinIslingtonthatday;soalsomightIshowthatatthathourtheynameIwasabovealeagueaway,seeingIwasatWappingOldStairs;yeamore,myKing,forIcouldshow,thatwhilsttheysayIwastakinglife,Iwassavingit.Adrowningboy—"

           "Peace!Sheriff,namethedaythedeedwasdone!"

           "Atteninthemorning,orsomeminuteslater,thefirstdayoftheNewYear,mostillustrious—"

           "Lettheprisonergofree—itistheKing’swill!"

           Anotherblushfollowedthisunregaloutburst,andhecoveredhisindecorumaswellashecouldbyadding—

           "Itenragethmethatamanshouldbehangeduponsuchidle,hare-brainedevidence!"

           Alowbuzzofadmirationsweptthroughtheassemblage.