Английский язык с Марком Твеном. Принц и нищий / Mark Twain. The Prince and the Pauper

CHAPTER XI (Глава одиннадцатая)

THE royal barge (королевская баржа), attended by its gorgeous fleet (сопровождаемая великолепным флотом), took its stately way (пустилась в свой величественный путь; to take — брать) down the Thames through the wilderness of illuminated boats (вниз по Темзе сквозь джунгли освещенных лодок; wilderness — девственная природа, дебри). The air was laden with music (воздух был нагружен = напоен музыкой); the river-banks were beruffled with joy-flames (берега реки были оживлены факелами; to ruffle — рябить /воду/); the distant city lay in a soft luminous glow from its countless invisible bonfires (далекий город лежал в мягком светящемся отблеске от его бесчисленных невидимых костров; to lie — лежать); above it rose many a slender spire into the sky (над ним поднимались многие тонкие шпили в небо; to rise — подниматься; many a spire (устар.) = many spires), incrusted with sparkling lights (инкрустированные мерцающим светом), wherefore in their remoteness (откуда в своем отдалении; remote — отдаленный) they seemed like jeweled lances thrust aloft (они выглядели, как украшенные драгоценностями копья, торчащие ввысь); as the fleet swept along (пока флотилия проплывала мимо), it was greeted (ее приветствовали) from the banks (с берегов) with a continuous hoarse roar of cheers (продолжительным хриплым ревом = криком приветствий) and the ceaseless flash and boom of artillery (и непрестанным сверканием и громыханием артиллерии).

To Tom Canty (для Тома Кэнти), half buried in his silken cushions (наполовину погребенного в своих шелковых подушках), these sounds and this spectacle were a wonder unspeakably sublime and astonishing (эти звуки и это зрелище были чудом, невыразимо прекрасным и ошеломительным) . To his little friends at his side (для его маленьких подруг), the Princess Elizabeth and the Lady Jane Grey (принцессы Элизабет и леди Джейн Грей), they were nothing (они были ничем = ничем особенным).

Arrived at the Dowgate (прибыв в Доугейт), the fleet was towed up (флотилия была притянута канатами вверх по) the limpid Walbrook (прозрачному Уолбруку) whose channel has now been for two centuries buried out of sight under acres of buildings (чье русло в течение двух веков было погребено из виду = не было видно под акрами строений) to Bucklersbury (к Баклсбери), past houses and under bridges (мимо домов и под мостами) populous with merry-makers and brilliantly lighted (наполненных гуляками и ярко подсвеченных; merry — веселый, веселье), and at last came to a halt (и наконец встали на прикол; halt — остановка) in a basin where now is Barge Yard (в бухте, где сейчас Бардж-Ярд), in the center of the ancient city of London (в центре древнего города Лондона). Tom disembarked (Том сошел на землю), and he and his gallant procession crossed Cheapside (и он и его блистательный кортеж пересекли Чипсайд) and made a short march through the Old Jewry and Basinghall Street to the Guildhall (и совершили короткий марш через Старое Гетто и Бейсингхолл-стрит к Ратуше).

Tom and his little ladies were received with due ceremony (Том и его маленькие дамы были приняты с подобающей церемонией) by the Lord Mayor and the Fathers of the City (лорд-мэром и Отцами Города), in their gold chains and scarlet robes of state (в их золотых цепях и алых парадных мантиях), and conducted to a rich canopy of state (и отведены к богатому парадному балдахину) at the head of the great hall (во главе большого зала), preceded by heralds making proclamation (с идущими впереди герольдами, выкликающими сообщение (о них); to precede — предшествовать; proclamation — объявление, воззвание, провозглашение), and by the Mace and the City Sword (и Жезлом и Городским Мечом). The lords and ladies who were to attend upon Tom and his two small friends (господа и дамы, которые должны были прислуживать Тому и его двум маленьким подругам) took their places behind their chairs (заняли свои места за их стульями).

At a lower table (у более низкого стола) the court grandees (вельможи двора) and other guests of noble degree (и другие гости дворянского сословия) were seated (были усажены), with the magnates of the city (с виднейшими гражданами города); the commoners (члены Палаты Общин) took places at a multitude of tables (заняли места за большим количеством столов) on the main floor of the hall (на главном ярусе зала). From their lofty vantage-ground (со своего высокого местоположения; vantage-ground — командная высота), the giants Gog and Magog (гиганты Гог и Магог), the ancient guardians of the city (древние стражники города), contemplated the spectacle below them (обозревали зрелище снизу от них) with eyes grown familiar to it in forgotten generations (глазами, ставшими привычными к этому за забытые поколения). There was a bugle-blast (там был = раздался звук рога) and a proclamation (и объявление), and a fat butler (и толстый дворецкий) appeared in a high perch in the leftward wall (показался на высоком карнизе в стене по левую руку), followed by his servitors («следуемый» = за ним следовали слуги) bearing with impressive solemnity (несущие с впечатляющей торжественностью) a royal Baron of Beef (королевское говяжье филе), smoking hot and ready for the knife (дымящееся горячо и готовое к ножу).

After grace (после молитвы), Tom (being instructed) (Том, будучи проинструктирован) rose (встал; to rise — вставать) — and the whole house with him (и все присутствующие с ним) — and drank from a portly golden loving-cup (и выпил из внушительной золотой круговой чаши) with the Princess Elizabeth (с принцессой Элизабет); from her it passed to the Lady Jane (от нее она перешла к леди Джейн), and then traversed the general assemblage (и затем обошла все собрание). So the banquet began (так пир начался).

continuous [kən`tınjuəs], jewry [`Guərı], receive [rı`si:v]

THE royal barge, attended by its gorgeous fleet, took its stately way down the Thames through the wilderness of illuminated boats. The air was laden with music; the river-banks were beruffled with joy — flames; the distant city lay in a soft luminous glow from its countless invisible bonfires; above it rose many a slender spire into the sky, incrusted with sparkling lights, wherefore in their remoteness they seemed like jeweled lances thrust aloft; as the fleet swept along, it was greeted from the banks with a continuous hoarse roar of cheers and the ceaseless flash and boom of artillery.

To Tom Canty, half buried in his silken cushions, these sounds and this spectacle were a wonder unspeakably sublime and astonishing. To his little friends at his side, the Princess Elizabeth and the Lady Jane Grey, they were nothing.

Arrived at the Dowgate, the fleet was towed up the limpid Walbrook (whose channel has now been for two centuries buried out of sight under acres of buildings) to Bucklersbury, past houses and under bridges populous with merry-makers and brilliantly lighted, and at last came to a halt in a basin where now is Barge Yard, in the center of the ancient city of London. Tom disembarked, and he and his gallant procession crossed Cheapside and made a short march through the Old Jewry and Basinghall Street to the Guildhall.

Tom and his little ladies were received with due ceremony by the Lord Mayor and the Fathers of the City, in their gold chains and scarlet robes of state, and conducted to a rich canopy of state at the head of the great hall, preceded by heralds making proclamation, and by the Mace and the City Sword. The lords and ladies who were to attend upon Tom and his two small friends took their places behind their chairs.

At a lower table the court grandees and other guests of noble degree were seated, with the magnates of the city; the commoners took places at a multitude of tables on the main floor of the hall. From their lofty vantage-ground, the giants Gog and Magog, the ancient guardians of the city, contemplated the spectacle below them with eyes grown familar to it in forgotten generations. There was a bugle-blast and a proclamation, and a fat butler appeared in a high perch in the leftward wall, followed by his servitors bearing with impressive solemnity a royal Baron of Beef, smoking hot and ready for the knife.

After grace, Tom (being instructed) rose — and the whole house with him — and drank from a portly golden loving-cup with the Princess Elizabeth; from her it passed to the Lady Jane, and then traversed the general assemblage. So the banquet began.

By midnight the revelry was at its height (к полуночи пирушка была «на своей высоте» = в самом разгаре). Now came one of those picturesque spectacles (теперь началось одно из тех живописных зрелищ) so admired (которым так любовались) in that old day (в том старое время). A description of it is still extant in the quaint wording of a chronicler who witnessed it (описание его до сих пор сохранилось в старомодном изложении хроникера, которые стал его свидетелем):

'Space being made (когда пространство было сделано = расчищено), presently entered a baron and an earl (вскоре вошли барон и граф) appareled after the Turkish fashion (наряженные по турецкой моде) in long robes of bawdkin powdered with gold (в длинные платья из парчи, усыпанной золотом); hats on their heads of crimson velvet (шляпы на их головах из малинового бархата), with great rolls of gold (с большими «трубочками» из золота), girded with two swords (опоясанные двумя мечами), called simitars (называемыми симитары), hanging by great bawdricks of gold (свисающими на поясах из золота). Next came yet another baron and another earl (затем вошли еще один барон и еще один граф; to come — приходить), in two long gowns of yellow satin (в двух длинных одеждах из желтого атласа), traversed with white satin (пересеченных белым атласом), and in every bend of white was a bend of crimson satin (и в каждой полосе белого была полоса малинового атласа), after the fashion of Russia (по русской моде), with furred hats of gray (с меховыми шапками серого цвета) on their heads (на их головах); either of them having an hatchet in their hands (каждый из них имеющий топорик в руках), and boots with pykes points a foot long (и башмаки с носами в фут длиной), turned up (поднятыми кверху). And after them came a knight (а после них пришел рыцарь), then the Lord High Admiral (затем лорд-адмирал), and with him five nobles (и с ним пять дворян), in doublets of crimson velvet (в камзолах из малинового бархата), voyded low on the back and before to the cannel-bone, laced on the breasts with chains of silver (низко вырезанных сзади, а спереди — до самых ключиц, завязанные на груди серебряными цепочками); and, over that (и, поверх этого), short cloaks of crimson satin (короткие плащи из малинового атласа), and on their heads (а на их головах) hats after the dancers' fashion (шляпы по моде танцоров), with pheasants' feather in them (с фазаньим пером в них). These were appareled after the fashion of Prussia (эти были наряжены по моде Пруссии). The torch-bearers (факельщики), which were about an hundred (которых было около сотни), were appareled in crimson satin and green (были одеты в малиновый атлас и зеленый), like Moors (как мавры), their faces black (их лица были черными). Next came in a mommarye (затем вошли ряженые). Then the minstrels (затем менестрели), which were disguised (которые были замаскированы), danced (плясали); and the lords and ladies did wildly dance also (и господа и дамы рьяно: «дико» отплясывали тоже), that it was a pleasure to behold (так что это было удовольствие смотреть).'

And while Tom, in his high seat (и пока Том в своем высоком сиденье), was gazing upon this 'wild' dancing (смотрел на этот бешеный танец), lost in admiration of the dazzling commingling of kaleidoscopic colors (погрузившийся в любование мерцающей смеси калейдоскопических цветов) which the whirling turmoil of gaudy figures (которую крутящийся круговорот пестрых фигур) below him presented (под ним представлял), the ragged but real Little Prince of Wales (потрепанный, но настоящий маленький принц Уэльский) was proclaiming his rights and his wrongs (рассказывал все о себе: «добро и зло»), denouncing the impostor (обличая самозванца), and clamoring for admission at the gates of Guildhall (и шумно требуя, чтобы его пропустили к воротам Ратуши)! The crowd enjoyed this episode prodigiously (толпа наслаждалась этой сценой колоссально), and pressed forward (и наседала) and craned their necks to see the small rioter (и свернула шеи, чтобы увидеть маленького бунтаря; riot — бунт). Presently they began to taunt him and mock at him (вскоре они начали насмехаться над ним и дразнить его), purposely to goad him (с целью побудить его) into a higher and still more entertaining fury (к еще более высокой = сильной и еще более веселящей ярости). Tears of mortification sprung to his eyes (слезы обиды подступили к его глазам), but he stood his ground (но он стоял на своем) and defied the mob right royally (и бросал вызов толпе по-королевски). Other taunts followed (другие = новые насмешки последовали), added mockings stung him (добавленные издевки жалили его; to sting — жалить), and he exclaimed (и он воскликнул):

'I tell ye again (я говорю вам снова = повторяю вам), you pack of unmannerly curs (вы, куча невоспитанных дворняг), I am the Prince of Wales (я принц Уэльский)! And all forlorn and friendless as I be (и совершенно брошен я и без друзей), with none to give me word of grace or help me in my need (и никого, кто бы произнес слово милости или помог мне в моей нужде), yet will not I be driven from my ground (и все же я не буду смещен со своей земли = буду стоять на своем), but will maintain it (но удержу ее)!'

'Though thou be prince or no prince (будь ты принц или не принц) 'tis all one (это все одно = все равно), thou be'st a gallant lad (ты доблестный малый), and not friendless neither (и не без друзей тоже)! Here stand I by thy side to prove it (вот стою я у твоей стороны = возле тебя чтобы доказать это); and mind I tell thee thou might'st have a worser friend than Miles Hendon and yet not tire thy legs with seeking (и, клянусь тебе, Майлс Хендон не худший из тех, кого ты мог бы найти себе в качестве друга, не слишком утомив себя поисками). Rest thy small jaw, my child, I talk the language of these base kennel-rats like to a very native (дай отдохнуть своей маленькой челюсти = языку, дитя мое, я говорю на языке этих подлых крыс не хуже, чем носитель языка).'

height [haıt], crimson [`krımz(ə)n], whirling [`wə:lıŋ]

By midnight the revelry was at its height. Now came one of those picturesque spectacles so admired in that old day. A description of it is still extant in the quaint wording of a chronicler who witnessed it:

'Space being made, presently entered a baron and an earl appareled after the Turkish fashion in long robes of bawdkin powdered with gold; hats on their heads of crimson velvet, with great rolls of gold, girded with two swords, called simitars, hanging by great bawdricks of gold. Next came yet another baron and another earl, in two long gowns of yellow satin, traversed with white satin, and in every bend of white was a bend of crimson satin, after the fashion of Russia, with furred hats of gray on their heads; either of them having an hatchet in their hands, and boots with pykes (points a foot long), 'turned up. And after them came a knight, then the Lord High Admiral, and with him five nobles, in doublets of crimson velvet, voyded low on the back and before to the cannel-bone, laced on the breasts with chains of silver; and, over that, short cloaks of crimson satin, and on their heads hats after the dancers' fashion, with pheasants' feather in them. These were appareled after the fashion of Prussia. The torch-bearers, which were about an hundred, were appareled in crimson satin and green, like Moors, their faces black. Next came in a mommarye. Then the minstrels, which were disguised, danced; and the lords and ladies did wildly dance also, that it was a pleasure to behold.'

And while Tom, in his high seat, was gazing upon this 'wild' dancing, lost in admiration of the dazzling commingling of kaleidoscopic colors which the whirling turmoil of gaudy figures below him presented, the ragged but real Little Prince of Wales was proclaiming his rights and his wrongs, denouncing the impostor, and clamoring for admission at the gates of Guildhall! The crowd enjoyed this episode prodigiously, and pressed forward and craned their necks to see the small rioter. Presently they began to taunt him and mock at him, purposely to goad him into a higher and still more entertaining fury. Tears of mortification sprung to his eyes, but he stood his ground and defied the mob right royally. Other taunts followed, added mockings stung him, and he exclaimed:

'I tell ye again, you pack of unmannerly curs, I am the Prince of Wales! And all forlorn and friendless as I be, with none to give me word of grace or help me in my need, yet will not I be driven from my ground, but will maintain it!'

'Though thou be prince or no prince 'tis all one, thou be'st a gallant lad, and not friendless neither! Here stand I by thy side to prove it; and mind I tell thee thou might'st have a worser friend than Miles Hendon and yet not tire thy legs with seeking. Rest thy small jaw, my child, I talk the language of these base kennel-rats like to a very native.'

The speaker was a sort of Don Caesar de Bazan in dress (говорящий был кем-то вроде дона Сезара де Базана по одежде), aspect (выражению лица), and bearing (и манере держаться). He was tall, trim-built, muscular (он был высокий, хорошо сложенный, мускулистый). His doublet and trunks (его камзол и штаны) were of rich material (были из богатого материала), but faded and threadbare (но полинявшие и протертые до ниток; thread — нить), and their gold-lace adornments were sadly tarnished (а их золотые галуны прискорбно потускнели); his ruff was rumpled and damaged (его воротник был мятый и рваный; ruff — жесткий /сильно накрахмаленный/ гофрированный круглый воротник); the plume in his slouched hat (перо в его шляпе со свисающими полями; to slouch — сутулиться; опускаться, свисать /о полях шляпы/) was broken and had a bedraggled and disreputable look (было сломано и имело испачканный и сомнительный вид; disreputable — недостойный уважения; дискредитирующий, бесчестящий; позорный); at his side he wore a long rapier in a rusty iron sheath (на боку он носил длинную рапиру в заржавленных железных ножнах; to wear — носить); his swaggering carriage (его самодовольная манера держаться; to swagger — расхаживать с важным видом; важничать; чваниться) marked him at once as a ruffler of the camp (отмечала его сразу как задиру лагеря = выдавала в нем лихого забияку). The speech of this fantastic figure was received with an explosion of jeers and laughter (речь этого гротескного персонажа была принята со взрывом издевок и смеха). Some cried (некоторые закричали), ''Tis another prince in disguise (это еще один принц в маскарадном костюме)!' ''Ware thy tongue, friend (последи за своим языком, друг), belike he is dangerous (похоже, он опасен)!' 'Marry, he looketh it — mark his eye (гляди-ка, как он смотрит)!' 'Pluck the lad from him — to the horse-pond wi' the cub (оторвите мальчишку от него — в лошадиный пруд этого щенка: «с этим щенком»; wi’ = with)!'

Instantly a hand was laid upon the prince (мгновенно рука была положена на принца; to lay — класть), under the impulse of this happy thought (под импульсом этой счастливой = удачной мысли); as instantly (также мгновенно) the stranger's long sword (длинный меч незнакомца) was out (был наружу = вытащен) and the meddler went to the earth under a sounding thump (и вмешавшийся отправился на землю под звонким ударом; went от to go — идти) with the flat of it (плоской стороной его). The next moment a score of voices shouted (в следующий момент голосов двадцать закричали; score — двадцать, устар.) 'Kill the dog (убейте пса)! kill him (убейте его)! kill him (убейте его)!' and the mob closed in on the warrior (и толпа закрылась на = обступила воина), who backed himself against a wall (который оперся на стену) and began to lay about him with his long weapon like a madman (и начал укладывать (нападавших) вокруг себя как бешеный; to begin — начинать). His victims sprawled this way and that (его жертвы растянулись, растягивались туда и сюда = валились в разные стороны), but the mob-tide poured over their prostrate forms (но прилив толпы переливался через их лежащие ничком тела; tide — прилив) and dashed itself against the champion with undiminished fury (и бился о победителя с неиссякающим гневом). His moments seemed numbered (его часы = момены казалось, были сочтены), his destruction certain (его гибель — верной), when suddenly a trumpet-blast sounded (когда внезапно звук трубы прозвучал; trumpet — труба), a voice shouted (голос прокричал), 'Way for the king's messenger (дорогу королевскому гонцу)!' and a troop of horsemen came charging down upon the mob (и отряд всадников проскакал по толпе), who fled out of harm's reach (которая убежала от греха подальше: «за пределы доступности вреда»; to flee — спасаться бегством; reach — предел досягаемости) as fast as their legs could carry them (так быстро как их ноги могли унести их). The bold stranger (отважный незнакомец) caught up the prince in his arms (подхватил принца в руки; to catch up — подхватить, догнать), and was soon far away from danger and the multitude (и был скоро прочь = далеко от опасности и толпы).

Return we within the Guildhall (вернемся в Ратушу). Suddenly (внезапно), high above the jubilant roar and thunder of the revel (поверх ликующего рева и грома веселья), broke the clear peal of a bugle-note (прорвался ясный звук рога). There was instant silence (настала немедленная тишина) — a deep hush (глубокое молчание); then a single voice rose (тогда единственный голос поднялся = раздался; to rise — подниматься) — that of the messenger from the palace (тот = голос вестника из дворца) — and began to pipe forth a proclamation (и начал пронзительно читать прокламацию; to pipe — пищать; forth — вперед), the whole multitude standing, listening (целая толпа стоящая, слушающая = и все стояли и слушали). The closing words (закрывающие = завершающие слова), solemnly pronounced (торжественно произнесенные) were (были):

'The king is dead! (король умер)'

The great assemblage bent their heads upon their breasts with one accord (великое собрание склонило головы на грудь в едином порыве; to bend — гнуть); remained so (оставалось так = в таком положении), in profound silence (в глубоком молчании), a few moments (несколько секунд), then all sunk upon their knees in a body (затем все упали на колени как один: «в одном теле»; to sink — погружаться, опускаться), stretched out their hands towards Tom (протянули свои руки к Тому), and a mighty shout burst forth (и могучий крик вырвался вперед; to burst — взрываться) that seemed to shake the building (которые, казалось, потрясли здание):

'Long live the king (да здравствует король!)'

Poor Tom's dazed eyes wandered abroad (изумленные глаза бедного Тома блуждали) over this stupefying spectacle (над этим ошеломляющим зрелищем), and finally rested dreamily upon the kneeling princesses beside him a moment (в конце концов остановились, как во сне, на коленопреклоненных принцессах рядом с ним на секунду), then upon the Earl of Hertford (затем на графе Хартфорде). A sudden purpose dawned in his face (внезапная решимость засветилась на его лице). He said, in a low tone (он сказал тихим голосом), at Lord Hertford's ear (на ухо лорду Хартфорду):

'Answer me truly, on thy faith and honor (ответь мне правдиво, по твоей чести и совести)! Uttered I here a command (отдай я здесь приказ), the which none but a king might hold privilege and prerogative to utter (какого никто кроме короля не имел бы права произнести), would such commandment be obeyed (был бы такой приказ исполнен; to obey — подчиняться), and none rise up to say me nay (и никто не встал бы сказать мне нет)?'

'None, my liege, in all these realms (никто, мой повелитель, во всем этом царстве). In thy person bides the majesty of England (в твоем лице пребывает величие Англии). Thou art the king (ты король) — thy word is law (твое слово закон).'

Tom responded (Том ответил), in a strong, earnest voice (сильным, серьезным голосом), and with great animation (и с великим оживлением):

'Then shall the king's law be law of mercy (тогда закон короля будет законом милосердия), from this day (с этого дня), and never more be law of blood (и никогда больше не будет законом крови)! Up from thy knees and away (вверх = встаньте с колен и прочь = идите)! To the Tower (в Тауэр) and say the king decrees the Duke of Norfolk shall not die (и скажите, что король постановляет, что герцог Норфолкский не умрет)!'

The words were caught up (эти слова были подхвачены; to catch up — подхватить) and carried eagerly from lip to lip (и передавались энергично из уст в уста; to carry — нести; lip — губа) far and wide over the hall (по всему залу: «далеко и широко над залом»), and as Hertford hurried from the presence (и когда Хартфорд поспешил от его величества), another prodigious shout burst forth (другой мощный крик вырвался):

'The reign of blood is ended (правление крови закончено)! Long live Edward king of England (да здравствует Эдуард, король Англии)!'

threadbare [`θredbeə], purpose [`pə:pəs], privilege [`prıv(ə)lıG]

The speaker was a sort of Don Caesar de Bazan in dress, aspect, and bearing. He was tall, trim-built, muscular. His doublet and trunks were of rich material, but faded and threadbare, and their gold-lace adornments were sadly tarnished; his ruff was rumpled and damaged; the plume in his slouched hat was broken and had a bedraggled and disreputable look; at his side he wore a long rapier in a rusty iron sheath; his swaggering carriage marked him at once as a ruffler of the camp. The speech of this fantastic figure was received with an explosion of jeers and laughter. Some cried, ''Tis another prince in disguise!' ''Ware thy tongue, friend, belike he is dangerous!' 'Marry, he looketh it — mark his eye!' 'Pluck the lad from him — to the horse-pond wi' the cub!'

Instantly a hand was laid upon the prince, under the impulse of this happy thought; as instantly the stranger's long sword was out and the meddler went to the earth under a sounding thump with the flat of it. The next moment a score of voices shouted 'Kill the dog! kill him! kill him!' and the mob closed in on the warrior, who backed himself against a wall and began to lay about him with his long weapon like a madman. His victims sprawled this way and that, but the mob-tide poured over their prostrate forms and dashed itself against the champion with undiminished fury. His moments seemed numbered, his destruction certain, when suddenly a trumpet-blast sounded, a voice shouted, 'Way for the king's messenger!' and a troop of horsemen came charging down upon the mob, who fled out of harm's reach as fast as their legs could carry them. The bold stranger caught up the prince in his arms, and was soon far away from danger and the multitude.

Return we within the Guildhall. Suddenly, high above the jubilant roar and thunder of the revel, broke the clear peal of a bugle-note. There was instant silence — a deep hush; then a single voice rose- that of the messenger from the palace — and began to pipe forth a proclamation, the whole multitude standing, listening. The closing words, solemnly pronounced were:

'The king is dead!'

The great assemblage bent their heads upon their breasts with one accord; remained so, in profound silence, a few moments, then all sunk upon their knees in a body, stretched out their hands towards Tom, and a mighty shout burst forth that seemed to shake the building:

'Long live the king!'

Poor Tom's dazed eyes wandered abroad over this stupefying spectacle, and finally rested dreamily upon the kneeling princesses beside him a moment, then upon the Earl of Hertford. A sudden purpose dawned in his face. He said, in a low tone, at Lord Hertford's ear:

'Answer me truly, on thy faith and honor! Uttered I here a command, the which none but a king might hold privilege and prerogative to utter, would such commandment be obeyed, and none rise up to say me nay?'

'None, my liege, in all these realms. In thy person bides the majesty of England. Thou art the king — thy word is law.'

Tom responded, in a strong, earnest voice, and with great animation:

'Then shall the king's law be law of mercy, from this day, and never more be law of blood! Up from thy knees and away! To the Tower and say the king decrees the Duke of Norfolk shall not die!'

The words were caught up and carried eagerly from lip to lip far and wide over the hall, and as Hertford hurried from the presence, another prodigious shout burst forth:

'The reign of blood is ended! Long live Edward king of England!'