Принц и нищий / The Prince and the Pauper
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The King looked pleased and continued—“Now we will try him further.”
He put a question to Tom in French. Tom stood silent a moment, then said—
“I do not know this language, your Majesty.” The King looked unhappy and said—
“Come here, child; rest your poor head on your father’s breast. You’ll soon be well. Don’t fear. You’ll soon be well.” Then he turned to the lords: his gentle manner changed. He said furiously—
“Listen you all! My son is mad; but it is not for long. Over-study has done this. Away with his books and teachers! Let him play sports, so that his health comes again.” He went on with energy, “He is mad; but he is my son, and England’s heir; and he will be King! And whoever speaks of his illness will be hanged! … Give me to drink: this sorrow takes my strength… Support me. Mad, is he? Yet he is he Prince of Wales!”
One of the nobles knelt to the king, and said—
“Your majesty, the Hereditary Great Marshal of England is imprisoned in the Tower. He cannot—”
“Quiet! Do not speak his name. Is this man to live forever? Is the prince to not become king, because, at the moment, the realm lacks an Earl Marshal to honour him? No!”
Lord Hertford said—
“The King’s will is law;” and, rising, returned to his former place.
The fury had left the old King’s face, and he said—
“Kiss me, my prince. There … what are you afraid of? Am I not your loving father?”
“You are, my lord: that in truth I know. But—but—it pains me to think that he has to die, and—”
“Ah, it’s like you! I know your heart is still the same, even though your mind is not, for you always had a gentle spirit. But this duke stands between you and your right: I will have another in his stead. Do not trouble your poor head with this matter. Kiss me once again, and go; I need rest. Go with your uncle Hertford and your people, and come again when I feel better.”
Tom left heavy-hearted, for the last sentence was a death-blow to his hopes of being set free.
5
Tom felt like a prisoner.
In the prince’s apartment, Tom sat down and looked at the lords standing around him. He asked them to sit down, but they thanked him, and remained standing. He insisted, but his ‘uncle’ the Earl of Hertford whispered in his ear—“Please, do not insist, my lord; they must not sit in your presence.”
Lord St. John came, and bowing to Tom said he had come from the King on a mission that could only be discussed in private. Only the Earl of Hertford could remain.
When the lords left the apartment, Lord St. John said—
“His majesty commands that the prince shall hide his illness [8] . That he shall not deny that he is the true prince, and heir to England’s throne; that he shall behave as is proper; that he shall stop speaking to anyone of his low birth; that he shall try hard to remember everything; that he shall not show that he has forgotten; that whatever bewilders him, he shall take advice of Lord Hertford or myself. His majesty asks to give him back the Great Seal, that he gave you to keep for a while three days ago. He must put it on some important papers.”
8
His majesty commands that the prince shall hide his illness. –
Tom replied—
“I shall do what the King has said. But he did not give the Seal to ME. I do not know where it is.”
Lord Hertford said—
“As to the books and other serious matters, it may perhaps be better to have a rest today not to be too tired at the banquet.”
Tom’s face showed surprise; and he blushed when he saw pity in Lord St. John’s eyes, as he said—
“Your memory is not very good, and you have shown surprise. Lord Hertford speaks of the city’s banquet which the King promised two months ago you would attend. Do you remember it now?”
“I am sorry, I don’t,” said Tom, and blushed again.
At this moment Lady Elizabeth and Lady Jane Grey entered. Hertford went quickly to the door. He said to the girls in a low voice—
“Please, ladies, do not show surprise when his memory is not good.”
At the same time Lord St. John said in Tom’s ear—
“Please, sir, keep in mind his majesty’s order. SEEM to remember all. Do not show that you have changed.”
Tom nodded, for he was already learning, and was resolved to try to fit in as best as he could, according to the King’s command.
In spite of every precaution, the conversation among the young people became a little embarrassing at times; but the tact of Princess Elizabeth saved him, or a word from the lords helped him. One time the little Lady Jane turned to Tom and asked him—
“Have you paid thy duty to the Queen’s majesty today, my lord?”
Tom hesitated and was about to stammer out something quick, when Lord St. John answered for him—
“He has indeed, madam, and she did hearten him, considering his majesty’s condition; is it not so, your highness?”
Tom mumbled something that sounded like approval, but felt that it was getting more and more difficult to talk. Some time later it was said that Tom was to study no more at present, and Princess Elizabeth exclaimed—
“It is a pity! You made great progress. But you will learn and know as many languages as his majesty, your father.”
“My father!” cried Tom.“He cannot speak his own, not better than a swine!”
He stopped, blushed, then continued sadly:“Ah, my illness—I do not know what I am saying. I meant to offence to the King’s grace.”
“We know it, sir,” said Princess Elizabeth;“do not trouble yourself as to that.”
“Thank you, my lady,” said Tom, gratefully. When he learned that the little ladies were to accompany him to the banquet in the evening, he was glad, for he felt that he would have friends at his side among strangers.
Once the giddy little Lady Jane asked Tom a simple question in Greek. Princess Elizabeth saw that he didn’t ‘remember’ Greek; so she answered it herself on on Tom’s behalf, and then straightway changed the talk to other matters.