Prinz und Bettelknabe

In the old city of London, on an autumn day in the sixteenth century, a boy was born to a poor family called Canty. They did not want him. On the same day another English child was born to a rich family called Tudor, and they wanted him very much. All England wanted him too.

The people had hoped and prayed for this baby for years. Now that he had come at last, they went almost mad with joy. Strangers hugged each other in the street and cried. Everybody took a holiday. Rich and poor danced and sang together, and the parties went on for days and nights. By day there were flags on every house and grand processions in the streets. By night great fires burned at every corner, and crowds laughed and sang around them.

There was no talk in all England except about the new baby, Edward Tudor, Prince of Wales. He lay in silk and gold, and great lords and ladies watched over him. He knew nothing about all this fuss, and he did not care. Nobody talked about the other baby, Tom Canty, who lay in poor rags. Only his own family spoke of him, and they were not pleased.