Принц і жебрак
Tom as King
Manytestifiedthatawitch,sincegonefromthevillage,noneknowwhither,didforetell,andspeakitprivatelyintheirears,thatthesickmanwoulddiebypoison—andmore,thatastrangerwouldgiveit—astrangerwithbrownhairandclothedinawornandcommongarb;andsurelythisprisonerdothanswerwoundilytothebill.PleaseyourMajestytogivethecircumstancethatsolemnweightwhichisitsdue,seeingitwasforetold."
Thiswasanargumentoftremendousforceinthatsuperstitiousday.Tomfeltthatthethingwassettled;ifevidencewasworthanything,thispoorfellow’sguiltwasproved.Stillheofferedtheprisonerachance,saying—
"Ifthoucanstsayaughtinthybehalf,speak."
"Noughtthatwillavail,myKing.Iaminnocent,yetcannotImakeitappear.Ihavenofriends,elsemightIshowthatIwasnotinIslingtonthatday;soalsomightIshowthatatthathourtheynameIwasabovealeagueaway,seeingIwasatWappingOldStairs;yeamore,myKing,forIcouldshow,thatwhilsttheysayIwastakinglife,Iwassavingit.Adrowningboy—"
"Peace!Sheriff,namethedaythedeedwasdone!"
"Atteninthemorning,orsomeminuteslater,thefirstdayoftheNewYear,mostillustrious—"
"Lettheprisonergofree—itistheKing’swill!"
Anotherblushfollowedthisunregaloutburst,andhecoveredhisindecorumaswellashecouldbyadding—
"Itenragethmethatamanshouldbehangeduponsuchidle,hare-brainedevidence!"
Alowbuzzofadmirationsweptthroughtheassemblage.