Принц і жебрак

           Hendonobservedtohimselfthatitwashardenoughtobesentencedtodeathinthefullvigouroflife,withouthavingthispeculiarlypublichumiliationadded.HewishedtheKingwouldhurryaboutit—someofthegaudypeoplenearbywerebecomingprettyoffensive.AtthismomenttheKingraisedhisheadslightly,andHendoncaughtagoodviewofhisface.Thesightnearlytookhisbreathaway!—Hestoodgazingatthefairyoungfacelikeonetransfixed;thenpresentlyejaculated—

           "Lo,theLordoftheKingdomofDreamsandShadowsonhisthrone!"

           Hemutteredsomebrokensentences,stillgazingandmarvelling;thenturnedhiseyesaroundandabout,scanningthegorgeousthrongandthesplendidsaloon,murmuring,"Butthesearereal—verilythesearereal—surelyitisnotadream."

           HestaredattheKingagain—andthought,"Isitadream...orishetheveritableSovereignofEngland,andnotthefriendlesspoorTomo’BedlamItookhimfor—whoshallsolvemethisriddle?"

           Asuddenideaflashedinhiseye,andhestrodetothewall,gatheredupachair,broughtitback,planteditonthefloor,andsatdowninit!

           Abuzzofindignationbrokeout,aroughhandwaslaiduponhimandavoiceexclaimed—

           "Up,thoumannerlessclown!would’stsitinthepresenceoftheKing?"

           ThedisturbanceattractedhisMajesty’sattention,whostretchedforthhishandandcriedout—

           "Touchhimnot,itishisright!"

           Thethrongfellback,stupefied.