Принц и нищий
At Guildhall
Hisdoubletandtrunkswereofrichmaterial,butfadedandthreadbare,andtheirgold-laceadornmentsweresadlytarnished;hisruffwasrumpledanddamaged;theplumeinhisslouchedhatwasbrokenandhadabedraggledanddisreputablelook;athissideheworealongrapierinarustyironsheath;hisswaggeringcarriagemarkedhimatonceasarufflerofthecamp.Thespeechofthisfantasticfigurewasreceivedwithanexplosionofjeersandlaughter.Somecried,"‘Tisanotherprinceindisguise!""‘Warethytongue,friend:belikeheisdangerous!""Marry,helookethit—markhiseye!""Plucktheladfromhim—tothehorse-pondwi’thecub!"
InstantlyahandwaslaiduponthePrince,undertheimpulseofthishappythought;asinstantlythestranger’slongswordwasoutandthemeddlerwenttotheearthunderasoundingthumpwiththeflatofit.Thenextmomentascoreofvoicesshouted,"Killthedog!Killhim!Killhim!"andthemobclosedinonthewarrior,whobackedhimselfagainstawallandbegantolayabouthimwithhislongweaponlikeamadman.Hisvictimssprawledthiswayandthat,butthemob-tidepouredovertheirprostrateformsanddasheditselfagainstthechampionwithundiminishedfury.
Hismomentsseemednumbered,hisdestructioncertain,whensuddenlyatrumpet-blastsounded,avoiceshouted,"WayfortheKing’smessenger!"andatroopofhorsemencamechargingdownuponthemob,whofledoutofharm’sreachasfastastheirlegscouldcarrythem.
