Принц и нищий
The Prince’s troubles begin
Theywerealldressedalike,andinthefashionwhichinthatdayprevailedamongserving-menand‘prentices—thatistosay,eachhadonthecrownofhisheadaflatblackcapaboutthesizeofasaucer,whichwasnotusefulasacovering,itbeingofsuchscantydimensions,neitherwasitornamental;frombeneathitthehairfell,unparted,tothemiddleoftheforehead,andwascroppedstraightaround;aclericalbandattheneck;abluegownthatfittedcloselyandhungaslowasthekneesorlower;fullsleeves;abroadredbelt;brightyellowstockings,garteredabovetheknees;lowshoeswithlargemetalbuckles.Itwasasufficientlyuglycostume.
Theboysstoppedtheirplayandflockedabouttheprince,whosaidwithnativedignity—
"Goodlads,saytoyourmasterthatEdwardPrinceofWalesdesirethspeechwithhim."
Agreatshoutwentupatthis,andonerudefellowsaid—
"Marry,artthouhisgrace’smessenger,beggar?"
Theprince’sfaceflushedwithanger,andhisreadyhandflewtohiship,buttherewasnothingthere.Therewasastormoflaughter,andoneboysaid—
"Didstmarkthat?Hefanciedhehadasword—belikeheistheprincehimself."
Thissallybroughtmorelaughter.PoorEdwarddrewhimselfupproudlyandsaid—
"Iamtheprince;anditillbeseemethyouthatfeeduponthekingmyfather’sbountytousemeso."
