Принц і жебрак

           Thewomanprostratedherself,andprotested,withtears,thatshehadnopowertodothemiracle,elseshewouldgladlywinherchild’slifealone,andbecontenttoloseherown,ifbyobediencetotheKing’scommandsopreciousagracemightbeacquired.

           Tomurged—thewomanstilladheredtoherdeclarations.Finallyhesaid—

           "Ithinkthewomanhathsaidtrue.An’mymotherwereinherplaceandgiftedwiththedevil’sfunctions,shehadnotstayedamomenttocallherstormsandlaythewholelandinruins,ifthesavingofmyforfeitlifewerethepriceshegot!Itisargumentthatothermothersaremadeinlikemould.Thouartfree,goodwife—thouandthychild—forIdothinktheeinnocent.Nowthou’stnoughttofear,beingpardoned—pulloffthystockings!—an’thoucanstmakemeastorm,thoushaltberich!"

           Theredeemedcreaturewasloudinhergratitude,andproceededtoobey,whilstTomlookedonwitheagerexpectancy,alittlemarredbyapprehension;thecourtiersatthesametimemanifestingdecideddiscomfortanduneasiness.Thewomanstrippedherownfeetandherlittlegirl’salso,andplainlydidherbesttorewardtheKing’sgenerositywithanearthquake,butitwasallafailureandadisappointment.Tomsighed,andsaid—

           "There,goodsoul,troublethyselfnofurther,thypowerisdepartedoutofthee.Gothywayinpeace;andifitreturntotheeatanytime,forgetmenot,butfetchmeastorm."