Принц и нищий
The Prince in the toils
Hothere!Guards!SirWilliam!What!istherenogroomofthechamberinwaiting?Alack!itshallgohardwith—"
"Whataileththee?"askedawhispernearhim."Whoartthoucalling?"
"SirWilliamHerbert.Whoartthou?"
"I?WhoshouldIbe,butthysisterNan?Oh,Tom,Ihadforgot!Thou’rtmadyet—poorlad,thou’rtmadyet:wouldIhadneverwoketoknowitagain!Butpritheemasterthytongue,lestwebeallbeatentillwedie!"
ThestartledPrincesprangpartlyup,butasharpreminderfromhisstiffenedbruisesbroughthimtohimself,andhesankbackamonghisfoulstrawwithamoanandtheejaculation—
"Alas!itwasnodream,then!"
Inamomentalltheheavysorrowandmiserywhichsleephadbanishedwereuponhimagain,andherealisedthathewasnolongerapettedprinceinapalace,withtheadoringeyesofanationuponhim,butapauper,anoutcast,clothedinrags,prisonerinadenfitonlyforbeasts,andconsortingwithbeggarsandthieves.
Inthemidstofhisgriefhebegantobeconsciousofhilariousnoisesandshoutings,apparentlybutablockortwoaway.Thenextmomenttherewereseveralsharprapsatthedoor;JohnCantyceasedfromsnoringandsaid—
"Whoknocketh?Whatwiltthou?"
Avoiceanswered—
"Know’stthouwhoitwasthoulaidthycudgelon?"
"No.NeitherknowI,norcare."
"Belikethou’ltchangethynoteeftsoons.Anthouwouldsavethyneck,nothingbutflightmaysteadthee.Themanisthismomentdeliveringuptheghost.