Принц і жебрак

           Theywerealldressedalike,andinthefashionwhichinthatdayprevailedamongserving-menand‘prentices—thatistosay,eachhadonthecrownofhisheadaflatblackcapaboutthesizeofasaucer,whichwasnotusefulasacovering,itbeingofsuchscantydimensions,neitherwasitornamental;frombeneathitthehairfell,unparted,tothemiddleoftheforehead,andwascroppedstraightaround;aclericalbandattheneck;abluegownthatfittedcloselyandhungaslowasthekneesorlower;fullsleeves;abroadredbelt;brightyellowstockings,garteredabovetheknees;lowshoeswithlargemetalbuckles.Itwasasufficientlyuglycostume.

           Theboysstoppedtheirplayandflockedabouttheprince,whosaidwithnativedignity—

           "Goodlads,saytoyourmasterthatEdwardPrinceofWalesdesirethspeechwithhim."

           Agreatshoutwentupatthis,andonerudefellowsaid—

           "Marry,artthouhisgrace’smessenger,beggar?"

           Theprince’sfaceflushedwithanger,andhisreadyhandflewtohiship,buttherewasnothingthere.Therewasastormoflaughter,andoneboysaid—

           "Didstmarkthat?Hefanciedhehadasword—belikeheistheprincehimself."

           Thissallybroughtmorelaughter.PoorEdwarddrewhimselfupproudlyandsaid—

           "Iamtheprince;anditillbeseemethyouthatfeeduponthekingmyfather’sbountytousemeso."