Принц і жебрак
In Prison
Heresumedthethreadofhisgossip—
"SirHughgoethtothecoronation—andwithgrandhopes.Heconfidentlylookethtocomebackapeer,forheishighinfavourwiththeLordProtector."
"WhatLordProtector?"askedhisMajesty.
"HisGracetheDukeofSomerset."
"WhatDukeofSomerset?"
"Marry,thereisbutone—Seymour,EarlofHertford."
TheKingaskedsharply—
"Sincewhenisheaduke,andLordProtector?"
"SincethelastdayofJanuary."
"Andpritheewhomadehimso?"
"HimselfandtheGreatCouncil—withhelpoftheKing."
HisMajestystartedviolently."TheKing!"hecried."Whatking,goodsir?"
"Whatking,indeed!(God-a-mercy,whataileththeboy?)Sithwehavebutone,‘tisnotdifficulttoanswer—hismostsacredMajestyKingEdwardtheSixth—whomGodpreserve!Yea,andadearandgraciouslittleurchinishe,too;andwhetherhebemadorno—andtheysayhemendethdaily—hispraisesareonallmen’slips;andallblesshim,likewise,andofferprayersthathemaybesparedtoreignlonginEngland;forhebeganhumanelywithsavingtheoldDukeofNorfolk’slife,andnowishebentondestroyingthecruellestofthelawsthatharryandoppressthepeople."
ThisnewsstruckhisMajestydumbwithamazement,andplungedhimintosodeepanddismalareveriethatheheardnomoreoftheoldman’sgossip.Hewonderedifthe‘littleurchin’wasthebeggar-boywhomheleftdressedinhisowngarmentsinthepalace.
