friendless; o' God's name cast through your merciful eyes one pitiful

look upon a sick, forsaken, and most miserable wretch; bestow one little

penny out of thy riches upon one smitten of God and ready to perish!'

-and mind you, keep you ON wailing, and abate not till we bilk him of his

penny, else shall you rue it."

Then immediately Hugo began to moan, and groan, and roll his eyes, and

reel and totter about; and when the stranger was close at hand, down he

sprawled before him, with a shriek, and began to writhe and wallow in the

dirt, in seeming agony.

"O, dear, O dear!" cried the benevolent stranger, "O poor soul, poor

soul, how he doth suffer! There--let me help thee up."

"O noble sir, forbear, and God love you for a princely gentleman--but it

giveth me cruel pain to touch me when I am taken so. My brother there

will tell your worship how I am racked with anguish when these fits be

upon me. A penny, dear sir, a penny, to buy a little food; then leave me

to my sorrows."

"A penny! thou shalt have three, thou hapless creature,"--and he fumbled

in his pocket with nervous haste and got them out. "There, poor lad, take

them and most welcome. Now come hither, my boy, and help me carry thy

stricken brother to yon house, where--"

181

The Prince and The Pauper