The Prince and the Pauper Mark Twain (readict books .TXT) đ
- Author: Mark Twain
Book online «The Prince and the Pauper Mark Twain (readict books .TXT) đ». Author Mark Twain
Miles reflected during some moments, then said to himself, âYes, that is the thing to doâ âby any other means it were impossible to get at itâ âand certes, this hourâs experience has taught me âtwould be most wearing and inconvenient to continue it as it is. Yes, I will propose it; âtwas a happy accident that I did not throw the chance away.â Then he dropped upon one knee and saidâ â
âMy poor service went not beyond the limit of a subjectâs simple duty, and therefore hath no merit; but since your Majesty is pleased to hold it worthy some reward, I take heart of grace to make petition to this effect. Near four hundred years ago, as your grace knoweth, there being ill blood betwixt John, King of England, and the King of France, it was decreed that two champions should fight together in the lists, and so settle the dispute by what is called the arbitrament of God. These two kings, and the Spanish king, being assembled to witness and judge the conflict, the French champion appeared; but so redoubtable was he, that our English knights refused to measure weapons with him. So the matter, which was a weighty one, was like to go against the English monarch by default. Now in the Tower lay the Lord de Courcy, the mightiest arm in England, stripped of his honors and possessions, and wasting with long captivity. Appeal was made to him; he gave assent, and came forth arrayed for battle; but no sooner did the Frenchman glimpse his huge frame and hear his famous name but he fled away, and the French kingâs cause was lost. King John restored de Courcyâs titles and possessions, and said, âName thy wish and thou shalt have it, though it cost me half my kingdom;â whereat de Courcy, kneeling, as I do now, made answer, âThis, then, I ask, my liege; that I and my successors may have and hold the privilege of remaining covered in the presence of the kings of England, henceforth while the throne shall last.â The boon was granted, as your Majesty knoweth; and there hath been no time, these four hundred years, that that line has failed of an heir; and so, even unto this day, the head of that ancient house still weareth his hat or helm before the kingâs Majesty, without let or hindrance, and this none other may do.9 Invoking this precedent in aid of my prayer, I beseech the king to grant to me but this one grace and privilegeâ âto my more than sufficient rewardâ âand none other, to wit: that I and my heirs, for ever, may sit in the presence of the Majesty of England!â
âRise, Sir Miles Hendon, Knight,â said the king, gravelyâ âgiving the accolade with Hendonâs swordâ âârise, and seat thyself. Thy petition is granted. Whilst England remains, and the crown continues, the privilege shall not lapse.â
His Majesty walked apart, musing, and Hendon dropped into a chair at table, observing to himself, âââTwas a brave thought, and hath wrought me a mighty deliverance; my legs are grievously wearied. An I had not thought of that, I must have had to stand for weeks, till my poor ladâs wits are cured.â After a little, he went on, âAnd so I am become a knight of the Kingdom of Dreams and Shadows! A most odd and strange position, truly, for one so matter-of-fact as I. I will not laughâ âno, God forbid, for this thing which is so substanceless to me is real to him. And to me, also, in one way, it is not a falsity, for it reflects with truth the sweet and generous spirit that is in him.â After a pause: âAh, what if he should call me by my fine title before folk!â âthereâd be a merry contrast betwixt my glory and my raiment! But no matter, let him call me what he will, so it please him; I shall be content.â
XIII The Disappearance of the PrinceA heavy drowsiness presently fell upon the two comrades. The king saidâ â
âRemove these ragsââ âmeaning his clothing.
Hendon disapparelled the boy without dissent or remark, tucked him up in bed, then glanced about the room, saying to himself, ruefully, âHe hath taken my bed again, as beforeâ âmarry, what shall I do?â The little king observed his perplexity, and dissipated it with a word. He said, sleepilyâ â
âThou wilt sleep athwart the door, and guard it.â In a moment more he was out of his troubles, in a deep slumber.
âDear heart, he should have been born a king!â muttered Hendon, admiringly; âhe playeth the part to a marvel.â
Then he stretched himself across the door, on the floor, saying contentedlyâ â
âI have lodged worse for seven years; âtwould be but ill gratitude to Him above to find fault with this.â
He dropped asleep as the dawn appeared. Toward noon he rose, uncovered his unconscious wardâ âa section at a timeâ âand took his measure with a string. The king awoke, just as he had completed his work, complained of the cold, and asked what he was doing.
âââTis done, now, my liege,â said Hendon; âI have a bit of business outside, but will presently return; sleep thou againâ âthou needest it. Thereâ âlet me cover thy head alsoâ âthouâlt be warm the sooner.â
The king was back in dreamland before this speech was ended. Miles slipped softly out, and slipped as softly in again, in the course of thirty or forty minutes, with a complete secondhand suit of boyâs clothing, of cheap material, and showing signs of wear; but tidy, and suited to the season of the year. He seated himself, and began to overhaul his purchase, mumbling to himselfâ â
âA longer purse would have got a better sort, but when one has not the long purse one must be content with what a short one may doâ â
âââThere
Comments (0)