The birth of the Prince and the Pauper

           IntheancientcityofLondon,onacertainautumndayinthesecondquarterofthesixteenthcentury, aboywasborntoapoorfamilyofthenameofCanty,whodidnotwanthim. OnthesamedayanotherEnglishchildwasborntoarichfamilyofthenameofTudor,whodidwanthim. AllEnglandwantedhimtoo. Englandhadsolongedforhim,andhopedforhim,andprayedGodforhim,that,nowthathewasreallycome,thepeoplewentnearlymadforjoy. Mereacquaintanceshuggedandkissedeachotherandcried. Everybodytookaholiday,andhighandlow,richandpoor,feastedanddancedandsang,andgotverymellow;andtheykeptthisupfordaysandnightstogether. Byday,Londonwasasighttosee,withgaybannerswavingfromeverybalconyandhousetop,andsplendidpageantsmarchingalong. Bynight,itwasagainasighttosee,withitsgreatbonfiresateverycorner,anditstroopsofrevellersmakingmerryaroundthem. TherewasnotalkinallEnglandbutofthenewbaby,EdwardTudor,PrinceofWales,wholaylappedinsilksandsatins,unconsciousofallthisfuss,andnotknowingthatgreatlordsandladiesweretendinghimandwatchingoverhim—andnotcaring,either. Buttherewasnotalkabouttheotherbaby,TomCanty,lappedinhispoorrags,exceptamongthefamilyofpauperswhomhehadjustcometotroublewithhispresence.