Принц і жебрак
The Prince and the hermit
Adeepvoiceresponded—
"Enter!—butleavesinbehind,forthegroundwhereonthoushaltstandisholy!"
TheKingentered,andpaused.Thehermitturnedapairofgleaming,unrestfuleyesuponhim,andsaid—
"Whoartthou?"
"IamtheKing,"cametheanswer,withplacidsimplicity.
"Welcome,King!"criedthehermit,withenthusiasm.Then,bustlingaboutwithfeverishactivity,andconstantlysaying,"Welcome,welcome,"hearrangedhisbench,seatedtheKingonit,bythehearth,threwsomefaggotsonthefire,andfinallyfelltopacingthefloorwithanervousstride.
"Welcome!Manyhavesoughtsanctuaryhere,buttheywerenotworthy,andwereturnedaway.ButaKingwhocastshiscrownaway,anddespisesthevainsplendoursofhisoffice,andclotheshisbodyinrags,todevotehislifetoholinessandthemortificationoftheflesh—heisworthy,heiswelcome!—hereshallheabideallhisdaystilldeathcome."TheKinghastenedtointerruptandexplain,butthehermitpaidnoattentiontohim—didnotevenhearhim,apparently,butwentrightonwithhistalk,witharaisedvoiceandagrowingenergy."Andthoushaltbeatpeacehere.NoneshallfindoutthyrefugetodisquiettheewithsupplicationstoreturntothatemptyandfoolishlifewhichGodhathmovedtheetoabandon.
