Принц і жебрак

           Thouartagoodlad,andadeserving;thydistressesshallend,forthedayofthyrewardiscome.Dighereeveryseventhday,andthoushaltfindalwaysthesametreasure,twelvebrightnewpennies.Tellnone—keepthesecret."

           Thenthedwarfvanished,andTomflewtoOffalCourtwithhisprize,sayingtohimself,"EverynightwillIgivemyfatherapenny;hewillthinkIbeggedit,itwillgladhisheart,andIshallnomorebebeaten.Onepennyeveryweekthegoodpriestthatteachethmeshallhave;mother,Nan,andBettheotherfour.Webedonewithhungerandrags,now,donewithfearsandfretsandsavageusage."

           Inhisdreamhereachedhissordidhomealloutofbreath,butwitheyesdancingwithgratefulenthusiasm;castfourofhispenniesintohismother’slapandcriedout—

           "Theyareforthee!—allofthem,everyone!—fortheeandNanandBet—andhonestlycomeby,notbeggednorstolen!"

           Thehappyandastonishedmotherstrainedhimtoherbreastandexclaimed—

           "Itwaxethlate—mayitpleaseyourMajestytorise?"

           Ah!thatwasnottheanswerhewasexpecting.Thedreamhadsnappedasunder—hewasawake.

           Heopenedhiseyes—therichlycladFirstLordoftheBedchamberwaskneelingbyhiscouch.Thegladnessofthelyingdreamfadedaway—thepoorboyrecognisedthathewasstillacaptiveandaking.Theroomwasfilledwithcourtiersclothedinpurplemantles—themourningcolour—andwithnobleservantsofthemonarch.Tomsatupinbedandgazedoutfromtheheavysilkencurtainsuponthisfinecompany.