The Prince and the Pauper Page #7

- No, it doesn't.

- Hold or I'll fire!

- That's them.

No doubt! What are they doing

about this time of night?

String 'em both up.

- Stop that! What would you with us?

- You're under arrest for robbery.

We know nothing of any robbery.

We'll take you back to the Running Fox.

We'll find out soon enough.

- They're the thieves, all right.

- No doubt of it.

All right, here they are. We nabbed them.

No, sir. It wasn't this gentleman, sir.

I happen to know it was otherwise...

You speak when you're spoke to.

If you can recognize them...

they'll soon be on their way to learn

it's harder to break out than in.

I can recognize them. Just point them out.

Get over there.

I can identify him.

He was the one with the musket.

No, sir. I was the one that led

the cavalry charge. Don't you remember?

My dapper friend, you'd be

more respectful lashed to a whipping post.

You, my fat friend, would look

more natural tied to a hitching post.

- Where are all the others?

- All the others is him.

He's right here, sir.

It's him.

His Majesty.

- Get the horses ready.

- Right, sir.

- It's he. I'm positive.

- Take your hands from me, pig!

- Pig? I'll teach you.

- What?

- You're a pretty pair of cutthroats.

- Take them away.

One moment.

- We'll take charge of the boy.

- Captain, l...

And who might you be

to be taking charge of my prisoner?

The Captain of His Majesty's Guard.

Let's see that.

The boy has escaped

from a London madhouse.

And has a strange insanity

offensive to the Crown.

Naturally, this is our responsibility.

Yes, sir. Of course, sir. Your prisoner, sir.

Take him along.

- Glad to have been of service, Captain.

- Good night.

Captain, what do you suggest

doing with this one, sir?

He seems capable of digesting

about 20 lashes.

Thank you, Captain.

When next we meet, I trust you'll be

capable of digesting 20 inches of steel.

Here.

How dare you indulge this outrage

on my person?

It wouldn't do to let people know

there's been no king on the throne...

until the day before the coronation.

Forgive me. It was the best ruse I knew

to get you away.

But what of the man Hendon?

I want him freed.

He shall be in the morning.

Tonight we get closer to London

to arrive in time tomorrow.

Very well.

But should any harm come

to Miles Hendon, your life shall pay for it.

- Understand?

- Yes, Your Majesty. My life.

- Why are we stopping here, Captain?

- To let you get some sleep, Your Majesty.

I felt my making camp for a few hours...

would freshen you for

the coronation ceremonies in the morning.

Very considerate, Captain. I am sleepy.

This way, Your Majesty.

This place will be ideal.

May I have your cloak, Captain?

Give me your cloak.

- Forgive me, Your Majesty.

- What have you done?

It's what I must do, poor little Edward.

Is that any way to address your King?

Or for the Captain of my Guard to act?

Cowering like a woman?

Out with it, fellow. What is it?

You are to join your father, Your Majesty.

You're going to kill me?

You can't.

You just can't.

There's no one to take the throne,

except Mary or Elizabeth.

And they're girls and not even grown up.

Say your prayers, Your Majesty.

I hope my father's asleep in heaven.

I don't want him to know that a Tudor died

at the hands of a traitorous Englishman.

He'd be so ashamed of you.

But he won't be ashamed of me.

"Our father, who art in heaven...

"hallowed be thy name.

"Thy kingdom come...

"thy will be done...

"on earth as it is in heaven."

And me what calls myself an Englishman.

Be still, can't you?

"Forgive us our trespasses...

"as we forgive those

who trespass against us.

"Lead us not into temptation...

"but deliver us from evil."

How's your digestion now, Captain?

Ready for that 20 inches of steel

I promised you?

Miles Hendon!

- Your Majesty.

- Majesty?

- Then you believe me?

- Without a doubt, sire.

What's the matter?

I was frightened.

Sirs, here I present King Edward...

rightful and undoubted inheritor

by the laws of God and man...

to the royal dignity

and crown imperial of this realm...

whose consecration, inunction,

and coronation...

is appointed to be this day.

Will ye nobles, peers, and commons

serve at this time...

and give your good wills in a sense...

to the same consecration, inunction,

and coronation...

as by your duty ye are bound to do?

Yes!

Smile, you little fool.

Smile and bow to them.

O God, who dwellest

in the high and holy place...

with them also

who are of a humble spirit...

Look down mercifully upon this,

thy servant Edward, our King...

here humbling himself

before thee at thy footstool...

and graciously receive these oblations...

which in humble acknowledgment

of thy sovereignty over all...

and of thy great bounty

to him in particular...

he hath offered up unto thee...

through Jesus Christ,

our only mediator and advocate.

Amen.

Will you, Edward,

grant to the people of England...

the laws and liberties of this realm?

"I do grant and so promise."

Will you keep to the Church and people

holy peace and concord?

"I shall keep."

Will you make to be done

to the best of your strength and power...

equal and rightful justice in all your dooms

and judgments with mercy and truth?

"I shall do."

The things which I have here

before promised I will perform and keep.

So help me God

and the contents of this book.

Kiss the book.

Let these hands be anointed with holy oil.

Let this breast...

be anointed with holy oil.

And let this head be anointed

with holy oil.

As kings and prophets were anointed...

and as Samuel did anoint David to be king.

So that thou mayest be blessed

and established...

a king in this kingdom, over this people...

whom the Lord thy God have given thee

to rule and govern.

Amen.

O Lord...

who receivest thy good

and faithful servants...

with mercy and loving kindness...

Look down upon this,

thy servant Edward, our King...

- Get out of here.

- Look here, my good fellow...

Something of the utmost importance

to the entire realm has arisen...

You'll have your ears taken off

if you don't go.

- I demand to speak to your captain.

- He'll give you 40 lashes.

...having a right faith and manifold

fruit of good works...

mayest obtain the crown

of an everlasting Kingdom.

Stop!

What is this?

What is he doing?

Stop! I forbid it.

Who dares this sacrilege?

I, Edward, the King.

Truly, he is the King.

His Majesty's malady is upon him again.

- Seize the impostor.

- Hold!

O my lord and King, forgive me.

What you have done is shameful treason.

It wasn't my doing, Your Majesty.

Cross my heart.

I believe you, Tom Canty.

But others shall answer.

- Outrage...

- Softly.

Your Majesty, perhaps we could

proceed with the coronation...

if you were assured

no harm would come to this lad.

What a striking resemblance.

Some of you have already forfeited

your heads.

But others may be spared

by paying homage now.

Please, milord. Please believe us.

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