Принц и нищий
Foo-foo the First
Therewerehugestalwartmen,brownwithexposure,long-haired,andclothedinfantasticrags;thereweremiddle-sizedyouths,oftruculentcountenance,andsimilarlyclad;therewereblindmendicants,withpatchedorbandagedeyes;crippledones,withwoodenlegsandcrutches;diseasedones,withrunningsorespeepingfromineffectualwrappings;therewasavillain-lookingpedlarwithhispack;aknife-grinder,atinker,andabarber-surgeon,withtheimplementsoftheirtrades;someofthefemaleswerehardly-growngirls,somewereatprime,somewereoldandwrinkledhags,andallwereloud,brazen,foul-mouthed;andallsoiledandslatternly;therewerethreesore-facedbabies;therewereacoupleofstarvelingcurs,withstringsabouttheirnecks,whoseofficewastoleadtheblind.
Thenightwascome,theganghadjustfinishedfeasting,anorgywasbeginning;thecanofliquorwaspassingfrommouthtomouth.Ageneralcrybrokeforth—
"Asong!asongfromtheBatandDickandDot-and-go-One!"
Oneoftheblindmengotup,andmadereadybycastingasidethepatchesthatshelteredhisexcellenteyes,andthepatheticplacardwhichrecitedthecauseofhiscalamity.Dot-and-go-Onedisencumberedhimselfofhistimberlegandtookhisplace,uponsoundandhealthylimbs,besidehisfellow-rascal;thentheyroaredoutarollickingditty,andwerereinforcedbythewholecrew,attheendofeachstanza,inarousingchorus.
