Принц і жебрак
The Question of the Seal.
AgroanfromtheKinginterruptedthelordatthispoint.Afteralittlewhilehismajestysaid,withadeepsadnessinhistone—
"Troublehimnomore,poorchild.ThehandofGodliethheavyuponhim,andmyheartgoethoutinlovingcompassionforhim,andsorrowthatImaynotbearhisburdenonmineoldtrouble-weightedshoulders,andsobringhimpeace."
Heclosedhiseyes,felltomumbling,andpresentlywassilent.Afteratimeheopenedhiseyesagain,andgazedvacantlyarounduntilhisglanceresteduponthekneelingLordChancellor.Instantlyhisfaceflushedwithwrath—
"What,thouhereyet!BythegloryofGod,an’thougettestnotaboutthattraitor’sbusiness,thymitreshallhaveholidaythemorrowforlackofaheadtogracewithal!"
ThetremblingChancelloranswered—
"GoodyourMajesty,Icryyoumercy!IbutwaitedfortheSeal."
"Man,hastlostthywits?ThesmallSealwhichaforetimeIwaswonttotakewithmeabroadliethinmytreasury.And,sincetheGreatSealhathflownaway,shallnotitsuffice?Hastlostthywits?Begone!Andharkye—comenomoretillthoudobringhishead."
ThepoorChancellorwasnotlonginremovinghimselffromthisdangerousvicinity;nordidthecommissionwastetimeingivingtheroyalassenttotheworkoftheslavishParliament,andappointingthemorrowforthebeheadingofthepremierpeerofEngland,thelucklessDukeofNorfolk.
