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.
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