Принц и нищий
The Prince in the toils
JohnCantydeliveredhimselfofafuriouscurseandcommandedaretreat;butitwastoolate.Heandhistribewereswallowedupinthatswarminghiveofhumanity,andhopelesslyseparatedfromeachotherinaninstant.WearenotconsideringthatthePrincewasoneofhistribe;Cantystillkepthisgripuponhim.ThePrince’sheartwasbeatinghighwithhopesofescape,now.Aburlywaterman,considerablyexaltedwithliquor,foundhimselfrudelyshovedbyCantyinhiseffortstoploughthroughthecrowd;helaidhisgreathandonCanty’sshoulderandsaid—
"Nay,whithersofast,friend?Dostcankerthysoulwithsordidbusinesswhenallthatbelealmenandtruemakeholiday?"
"Mineaffairsaremineown,theyconcerntheenot,"answeredCanty,roughly;"takeawaythyhandandletmepass."
"Siththatisthyhumour,thou’ltnotpass,tillthou’stdrunktothePrinceofWales,Itelltheethat,"saidthewaterman,barringthewayresolutely.
"Givemethecup,then,andmakespeed,makespeed!"
Otherrevellerswereinterestedbythistime.Theycriedout—
"Theloving-cup,theloving-cup!makethesourknavedrinktheloving-cup,elsewillwefeedhimtothefishes."
Soahugeloving-cupwasbrought;thewaterman,graspingitbyoneofitshandles,andwiththeotherhandbearinguptheendofanimaginarynapkin,presenteditindueandancientformtoCanty,whohadtograsptheoppositehandlewithoneofhishandsandtakeoffthelidwiththeother,accordingtoancientcustom
