Принц і жебрак
The Prince and his Deliverer
Theboonwasgranted,asyourMajestyknoweth;andtherehathbeennotime,thesefourhundredyears,thatthatlinehasfailedofanheir;andso,evenuntothisday,theheadofthatancienthousestillwearethhishatorhelmbeforetheKing’sMajesty,withoutletorhindrance,andthisnoneothermaydo.Invokingthisprecedentinaidofmyprayer,IbeseechtheKingtogranttomebutthisonegraceandprivilege—tomymorethansufficientreward—andnoneother,towit:thatIandmyheirs,forever,maysitinthepresenceoftheMajestyofEngland!"
"Rise,SirMilesHendon,Knight,"saidtheKing,gravely—givingtheaccoladewithHendon’ssword—"rise,andseatthyself.Thypetitionisgranted.WhilstEnglandremains,andthecrowncontinues,theprivilegeshallnotlapse."
HisMajestywalkedapart,musing,andHendondroppedintoachairattable,observingtohimself,"‘Twasabravethought,andhathwroughtmeamightydeliverance;mylegsaregrievouslywearied.AnIhadnotthoughtofthat,Imusthavehadtostandforweeks,tillmypoorlad’switsarecured."Afteralittle,hewenton,"AndsoIambecomeaknightoftheKingdomofDreamsandShadows!Amostoddandstrangeposition,truly,foronesomatter-of-factasI.Iwillnotlaugh—no,Godforbid,forthisthingwhichissosubstancelesstomeisrealtohim.Andtome,also,inoneway,itisnotafalsity,foritreflectswithtruththesweetandgenerousspiritthatisinhim."
