Принц і жебрак

           Johnappearedupontheplatform,andheldtheGreatSealaloftinhishand.Thensuchashoutwentup—

           "LonglivethetrueKing!"

           Forfiveminutestheairquakedwithshoutsandthecrashofmusicalinstruments,andwaswhitewithastormofwavinghandkerchiefs;andthroughitallaraggedlad,themostconspicuousfigureinEngland,stood,flushedandhappyandproud,inthecentreofthespaciousplatform,withthegreatvassalsofthekingdomkneelingaroundhim.

           Thenallrose,andTomCantycriedout—

           "Now,OmyKing,taketheseregalgarmentsback,andgivepoorTom,thyservant,hisshredsandremnantsagain."

           TheLordProtectorspokeup—

           "LetthesmallvarletbestrippedandflungintotheTower."

           ButthenewKing,thetrueKing,said—

           "Iwillnothaveitso.ButforhimIhadnotgotmycrownagain—noneshalllayahanduponhimtoharmhim.Andasforthee,mygooduncle,myLordProtector,thisconductofthineisnotgratefultowardthispoorlad,forIhearhehathmadetheeaduke"—theProtectorblushed—"yethewasnotaking;whereforewhatisthyfinetitleworthnow?To-morrowyoushallsuetome,throughhim,foritsconfirmation,elsenoduke,butasimpleearl,shaltthouremain."

           Underthisrebuke,hisGracetheDukeofSomersetretiredalittlefromthefrontforthemoment.TheKingturnedtoTom,andsaidkindly—"Mypoorboy,howwasitthatyoucouldrememberwhereIhidtheSealwhenIcouldnotrememberitmyself?"

           "Ah,myKing,thatwaseasy,sinceIuseditdiversdays."