Принц и нищий
The Prince and his Deliverer
Ifoughtoutmylongprobationinthecontinentalwars,tastingsumptuouslyofhardknocks,privation,andadventure;butinmylastbattleIwastakencaptive,andduringthesevenyearsthathavewaxedandwanedsincethen,aforeigndungeonhathharbouredme.ThroughwitandcourageIwontothefreeairatlast,andfledhitherstraight;andambutjustarrived,rightpoorinpurseandraiment,andpoorerstillinknowledgeofwhatthesedullsevenyearshavewroughtatHendonHall,itspeopleandbelongings.Sopleaseyou,sir,mymeagretaleistold."
"Thouhastbeenshamefullyabused!"saidthelittleKing,withaflashingeye."ButIwillrightthee—bythecrosswillI!TheKinghathsaidit."
Then,firedbythestoryofMiles’swrongs,heloosedhistongueandpouredthehistoryofhisownrecentmisfortunesintotheearsofhisastonishedlistener.Whenhehadfinished,Milessaidtohimself—
"Lo,whatanimaginationhehath!Verily,thisisnocommonmind;else,crazedorsane,itcouldnotweavesostraightandgaudyataleasthisoutoftheairynothingswherewithithathwroughtthiscuriousromaunt.Poorruinedlittlehead,itshallnotlackfriendorshelterwhilstIbidewiththeliving.Heshallneverleavemyside;heshallbemypet,mylittlecomrade.
