The Prince andPauper the Novel by Mark Twain Dramatized by Joellen Bland Background The historical novel The Prince and the Pauper was written by Mark Twain in 1882; it was his first attempt at historical fiction. The tale takes place in England in 1547, the year that Prince Edward, the nine-year-old son of King Henry VIII, was crowned King Edward VI. The novel has been adapted into stage, film, and even comic book versions. The adaptation you are about to read was written by Joellen Bland, who has been writing scripted versions of classic stories for more than 30 years. This one-act play continues the tradition of this famous novel and its travels through American culture. Mark Twain (1835–1910) is one of America’s greatest and most beloved writers. His real name was Samuel Clemens, but he changed it when he began his writing career. Twain was born in Florida, Missouri. When he was four years old, he moved with his family to Hannibal, Missouri, a bustling town along the Mississippi River, where he lived until he was seventeen. Hannibal and the Mississippi River inspired many of Twain’s most famous novels, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1885). Twain wrote 28 books and many short stories, letters, and comic sketches, all for the enjoyment of readers for many decades to come. SETTING A PURPOSE As you read, pay attention to how the details of the setting, characters’ actions, feelings, and events build and support the themes of the play. (bg) ©Shutterstock; (tr) ©Heritage Images/Corbis; (b) © Alamy Images (bg) ©Shutterstock; (tr) ©Heritage Images/Corbis; (b) © The Prince and the Pauper 345 CHARACTERS Edward, Prince of Wales Justice Tom Canty, the Pauper Constable Lord Hertford Jailer Lord St. John Sir Hugh Hendon King Henry VIII Two Prisoners Herald Two Guards Miles Hendon Three Pages John Canty, Tom’s father Lords and Ladies Hugo, a young thief Villagers Two Women Scene 1 20 1st Woman. I have walked all 21 morning just to have a glimpse of 1 Time: 1547. 22 Westminster Palace. 2 8 Setting: Westminster Palace, 23 2nd Woman. Maybe if we can get 3 England. Gates leading to courtyard 24 near enough to the gates, we can 4 are at right. Slightly to the left, off 25 have a glimpse of the young Prince. 5 courtyard and inside gates, interior 26 (Tom Canty, dirty and ragged, 6 of palace anteroom1 is visible. 27 comes out of crowd and steps close 7 There is a couch with a rich robe 28 to gates.) draped on it, screen at rear, bellcord, 29 Tom. I have always dreamed of 9 mirror, chairs, and a table with 30 seeing a real Prince! (Excited, he 10 bowl of nuts, and a large golden seal 31 presses his nose against gates.) 11 on it. Piece of armor hangs on one 32 1st Guard. Mind your manners, 12 wall. Exits are rear and downstage. 33 you young beggar! (Seizes Tom 13 At Curtain Rise: Two Guards— 34 by collar and sends him sprawling 14 one at right, one at left—stand in 35 into crowd. Villagers laugh, as Tom 15 front of gates, and several Villagers 36 slowly gets to his feet.) 16 hover nearby, straining to see into 37 Prince (rushing to gates). How dare 17 courtyard where Prince may be seen 38 you treat a poor subject of the King 18 through fence, playing. Two Women 39 in such a manner! Open the gates 19 enter right. 40 and let him in! (As Villagers see 41 Prince, they take off their hats and 1 anteroom (√n´t∏-r◊m´): an outer room that leads to another room and is often used as a 42 bow low.) waiting room. ©Shutterstock 346 Collection 6 43 Villagers (shouting together). Long 81 Tom. Pleasant enough, Your 44 live the Prince of Wales! (Guards 82 Highness, save when I am hungry. 45 open gates and Tom slowly passes 83 We have Punch and Judy shows, 46 through, as if in a dream.) 85 and sometimes we lads have fights 88 in the street. 23 Prince (to Tom). You look tired, 48 and you have been treated cruelly. 84 Prince (eagerly). I should like that. 49 I am Edward, Prince of Wales. 86 Tell me more. 50 What is your name? 87 Tom. In summer, we run races and 51 Tom (looking around in awe). Tom 89 swim in the river, and we love to 52 Canty, Your Highness. 90 wallow in the mud. 53 Prince. Come into the palace with 91 Prince (sighing, wistfully). If I could 54 me, Tom. (Prince leads Tom into 92 wear your clothes and play in the 55 anteroom. Villagers pantomime 93 mud just once, with no one to 56 conversation, and all but a few exit.) 94 forbid me, I think I could give up 58 Where do you live, Tom? 96 the crown! 57 Tom. In the city, Your Highness, in 98 Tom (shaking his head ). And if 59 Offal Court. 95 I could wear your fine clothes just 97 once, Your Highness . 60 Prince. Offal Court? That is an odd 61 name. Do you have parents? 99 Prince. Would you like that? 100 Come, then. We shall change 63 Tom. Yes, Your Highness. 101 places. You can take off your rags 63 Prince. How does your father 102 and put on my clothes—and I will 64 treat you? 103 put on yours. (He leads Tom behind 63 Tom. If it please you, Your 104 screen, and they return shortly, each 66 Highness, when I am not able to wearing the other’s clothes.) Let’s 67 beg a penny for our supper, he 105 look at ourselves in this mirror. 68 treats me to beatings. 108 (leads Tom to mirror) 69 Prince (shocked ). What! Beatings? 1107 Tom. Oh, Your Highness, it is not 70 My father is not a calm man, but 109 proper for me to wear such clothes. 71 he does not beat me. (looks at Tom 110 Prince (excitedly, as he looks in 72 thoughtfully) You speak well and 111 mirror). Heavens, do you not see have an easy grace. Have you been it? We look like brothers! We have 73 schooled? 113 the same features and bearing.2 If 74 Tom. Very little, Your Highness. 114 we went about together, dressed 75 A good priest who shares our 115 alike, there is no one who could say 76 house in Offal Court has taught me 116 which is the Prince of Wales and 77 from his books. 117 which is Tom Canty! 79 Prince. Do you have a pleasant life 80 in Offal Court? 2 features and bearing: parts of the face and ways of standing or walking. The Prince and the Pauper 347 118 Tom (drawing back and rubbing 153 Villagers (ad lib,4 as they exit, 119 his hand ). Your Highness, I am 154 shouting). Make way for His Royal 120 frightened. 155 Highness! Make way for the Prince 157 of Wales! Hail to the Prince! (etc.) 123 Prince. Do not worry. (seeing Tom 122 rub his hand ) Is that a bruise on 156 Tom (admiring himself in mirror). If 125 your hand? 158 only the boys in Offal Court could 159 see me! They will not believe me 123 Tom. Yes, but it is a slight thing, 160 when I tell them about this. (looks 124 Your Highness. 161 around anxiously) But where is 126 Prince (angrily). It was shameful 162 the Prince? (Looks cautiously into 127 and cruel of that guard to strike 163 courtyard. Two Guards immediately 128 you. Do not stir a step until I come 164 snap to attention and salute. He 129 back. I command you! (He picks 165 quickly ducks back into anteroom as 130 3 up golden Seal of England and 166 Lords Hertford and St. John enter 131 carefully puts it into piece of armor. 168 at rear.) 132 He then dashes out to gates.) Open! 167 Hertford (going toward Tom, then 133 Unbar the gates at once! (2nd 169 stopping and bowing low). My 134 Guard opens gates, and as Prince 170 Lord, you look distressed. What is 135 runs out, in rags, 1st Guard seizes 172 wrong? 136 him, boxes him on the ear, and 138 knocks him to the ground.) 171 Tom (trembling). Oh, I beg of you, 173 be merciful. I am no Prince, but 137 1st Guard. Take that, you little 175 poor Tom Canty of Offal Court. 139 beggar, for the trouble you have 176 Please let me see the Prince, and he 140 made for me with the Prince. 177 will give my rags back to me and let 142 (Villagers roar with laughter.) 178 me go unhurt. (kneeling) Please, be 141 Prince (picking himself up, turning 179 merciful and spare me! 143 on Guard furiously). I am Prince 174 Hertford (puzzled and disturbed ). 144 of Wales! You shall hang for laying 180 Your Highness, on your knees? 146 your hand on me! 181 To me? (bows quickly, then, aside 145 1st Guard (presenting arms; 182 to St. John) The Prince has gone 147 mockingly). I salute Your Gracious 183 mad! We must inform the King. (to 148 Highness! (Then, angrily, 1st Guard 184 Tom) A moment, your Highness. 149 shoves Prince roughly aside.) Be 185 (Hertford and St. John exit rear.) 150 off, you mad bag of rags! (Prince is 186 Tom. Oh, there is no hope for me 151 surrounded by Villagers, who hustle 187 now.