Принц і жебрак
Foo-foo the First
Heinquiredhowmanypersonsthegangnumberednow.The‘ruffler,’orchief,answered—
"Fiveandtwentysturdybudges,bulks,files,clapperdogeonsandmaunders,countingthedellsanddoxiesandothermorts.Mostarehere,therestarewanderingeastward,alongthewinterlay.Wefollowatdawn."
"IdonotseetheWenamongthehonestfolkaboutme.Wheremayhebe?"
"Poorlad,hisdietisbrimstone,now,andoverhotforadelicatetaste.Hewaskilledinabrawl,somewhereaboutmidsummer."
"Isorrowtohearthat;theWenwasacapableman,andbrave."
"Thatwashe,truly.BlackBess,hisdell,isofusyet,butabsentontheeastwardtramp;afinelass,ofnicewaysandorderlyconduct,noneeverseeingherdrunkabovefourdaysintheseven."
"Shewaseverstrict—Irememberitwell—agoodlywenchandworthyallcommendation.Hermotherwasmorefreeandlessparticular;atroublesomeandugly-temperedbeldame,butfurnishedwithawitabovethecommon."
"Welostherthroughit.Hergiftofpalmistryandothersortsoffortune-tellingbegotforheratlastawitch’snameandfame.Thelawroastedhertodeathataslowfire.Itdidtouchmetoasortoftendernesstoseethegallantwayshemetherlot—cursingandrevilingallthecrowdthatgapedandgazedaroundher,whilsttheflameslickedupwardtowardherfaceandcatchedherthinlocksandcrackledaboutheroldgrayhead—cursingthem!whyan’thoushould’stliveathousandyearsthoud’stneverhearsomasterfulacursing."
