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

AS soon as Miles Hendon and the little prince were clear of the mob, they struck down through back lanes and alleys toward the river. Their way was unobstructed until they approached London Bridge; then they plowed into the multitude again, Hendon keeping a fast grip upon the prince's — no, the king's — wrist. The tremendous news was already abroad, and the boy learned it from a thousand voices at once — 'The king is dead!' The tidings struck a chill to the heart of the poor little waif, and sent a shudder through his frame. He realized the greatness of his loss, and was filled with a bitter grief; for the grim tyrant who had been such a terror to others had always been gentle with him. The tears sprung to his eyes and blurred all objects. For an instant he felt himself the most forlorn, outcast, and forsaken of God's creatures — then another cry shook the night with its far-reaching thunders: 'Long live King Edward the Sixth!' and this made his eyes kindle, and thrilled him with pride to his fingers' ends. 'Ah,' he thought, 'how grand and strange it seems — I AM KING!'