I will set down a tale as it was told to me by one who had it of his

father, which latter had it of HIS father, this last having in like

manner had it of HIS father--and so on, back and still back, three

hundred years and more, the fathers transmitting it to the sons and so

preserving it. It may be history, it may be only a legend, a tradition.

It may have happened, it may not have happened: but it COULD have

happened. It may be that the wise and the learned believed it in the old

days; it may be that only the unlearned and the simple loved it and

credited it.

Contents.

The birth of the Prince and the Pauper.

Tom's early life.

II.

III. Tom's meeting with the Prince.

IV.

The Prince's troubles begin.

Tom as a patrician.

VI.

Tom receives instructions.

The Prince and The Pauper