Принц і жебрак
Tom’s meeting with the Prince
"‘Twouldbeworthmyfather’skingdombuttoenjoyitonce!Pritheegoon."
"WedanceandsingabouttheMaypoleinCheapside;weplayinthesand,eachcoveringhisneighbourup;andtimeswemakemudpastry—ohthelovelymud,ithathnotitslikefordelightfulnessinalltheworld!—wedofairlywallowinthemud,sir,savingyourworship’spresence."
"Oh,prithee,saynomore,‘tisglorious!IfthatIcouldbutclothemeinraimentliketothine,andstripmyfeet,andrevelinthemudonce,justonce,withnonetorebukemeorforbid,meseemethIcouldforegothecrown!"
"AndifthatIcouldclothemeonce,sweetsir,asthouartclad—justonce—"
"Oho,would’stlikeit?Thensoshallitbe.Doffthyrags,anddonthesesplendours,lad!Itisabriefhappiness,butwillbenotlesskeenforthat.Wewillhaveitwhilewemay,andchangeagainbeforeanycometomolest."
AfewminuteslaterthelittlePrinceofWaleswasgarlandedwithTom’sflutteringoddsandends,andthelittlePrinceofPauperdomwastrickedoutinthegaudyplumageofroyalty.Thetwowentandstoodsidebysidebeforeagreatmirror,andlo,amiracle:theredidnotseemtohavebeenanychangemade!Theystaredateachother,thenattheglass,thenateachotheragain.Atlastthepuzzledprincelingsaid—
"Whatdostthoumakeofthis?"
"Ah,goodyourworship,requiremenottoanswer.Itisnotmeetthatoneofmydegreeshouldutterthething."
"ThenwillIutterit.Thouhastthesamehair,thesameeyes,thesamevoiceandmanner,thesameformandstature,thesamefaceandcountenancethatIbear.
