But I will tell you what you will do. You will play decoy whilst I
beg. Refuse, an you think you may venture!'
The king was about to reply contemptuously, when Hugo said,
interrupting:
'Peace! Here comes one with a kindly face. Now will I fall down in
a fit. When the stranger runs to me, set you up a wail, and fall
upon your knees, seeming to weep; then cry out as if all the devils of
misery were in your belly, and say, "Oh, sir, it is my poor
afflicted brother, and we be 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. 'Oh, 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.
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