Принц і жебрак
Tom as a Patrician
But—but—itgrievethmetothinkofhimthatistodie,and—"
"Ah,‘tislikethee,‘tislikethee!Iknowthyheartisstillthesame,eventhoughthymindhathsufferedhurt,forthouwerteverofagentlespirit.Butthisdukestandethbetweentheeandthinehonours:Iwillhaveanotherinhissteadthatshallbringnotainttohisgreatoffice.Comfortthee,myprince:troublenotthypoorheadwiththismatter."
"ButisitnotIthatspeedhimhence,myliege?Howlongmighthenotlive,butforme?"
"Takenothoughtofhim,myprince:heisnotworthy.Kissmeonceagain,andgotothytriflesandamusements;formymaladydistressethme.Iamaweary,andwouldrest.GowiththineuncleHertfordandthypeople,andcomeagainwhenmybodyisrefreshed."
Tom,heavy-hearted,wasconductedfromthepresence,forthislastsentencewasadeath-blowtothehopehehadcherishedthatnowhewouldbesetfree.Oncemoreheheardthebuzzoflowvoicesexclaiming,"Theprince,theprincecomes!"
Hisspiritssanklowerandlowerashemovedbetweentheglitteringfilesofbowingcourtiers;forherecognisedthathewasindeedacaptivenow,andmightremainforevershutupinthisgildedcage,aforlornandfriendlessprince,exceptGodinhismercytakepityonhimandsethimfree.
