Принц и нищий
The Prince and his Deliverer
Suchpeoplewouldnaturallyimaginethatthemightyandinterminableprocessionwhichmovedthroughitsstreetnightandday,withitsconfusedroarofshoutsandcries,itsneighingsandbellowingandbleatingsanditsmuffledthunder-tramp,wastheonegreatthinginthisworld,andthemselvessomehowtheproprietorsofit.Andsotheywere,ineffect—atleasttheycouldexhibititfromtheirwindows,anddid—foraconsideration—wheneverareturningkingorherogaveitafleetingsplendour,fortherewasnoplacelikeitforaffordingalong,straight,uninterruptedviewofmarchingcolumns.
MenbornandrearedupontheBridgefoundlifeunendurablydullandinaneelsewhere.HistorytellsofoneofthesewholefttheBridgeattheageofseventy-oneandretiredtothecountry.Buthecouldonlyfretandtossinhisbed;hecouldnotgotosleep,thedeepstillnesswassopainful,soawful,sooppressive.Whenhewaswornoutwithit,atlast,hefledbacktohisoldhome,aleanandhaggardspectre,andfellpeacefullytorestandpleasantdreamsunderthelullingmusicofthelashingwatersandtheboomandcrashandthunderofLondonBridge.
Inthetimesofwhichwearewriting,theBridgefurnished‘objectlessons’inEnglishhistoryforitschildren—namely,thelividanddecayingheadsofrenownedmenimpaleduponironspikesatopofitsgateways.Butwedigress.
Hendon’slodgingswereinthelittleinnontheBridge.
