The Prince and the Pauper Identity Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

"Here was I born and bred, my lord; I speak the truth; I would not deceive thee; and should none else believe, I pray thee do not thou doubt me—I could not bear it."

"I do not doubt thee," said the king, with a childlike simplicity and faith.

"I thank thee out of my heart!" exclaimed Hendon, with a fervency which showed that he was touched. The king added, with the same gentle simplicity:

"Dost thou doubt me?" (25.44)

This happens right after Miles is rejected by his brother Hugh. He's begging Edward to believe him. It's interesting that Edward doesn't seem to doubt Miles for a second, even though Miles never really believes Edward. Why do you think there is this difference?

Quote #8

At midnight of the 19th of February, Tom Canty was sinking to sleep in his rich bed in the palace, guarded by his loyal vassals, and surrounded by the pomps of royalty, a happy boy; for to-morrow was the day appointed for his solemn crowning as king of England. At that same hour, Edward, the true king, hungry and thirsty, soiled and draggled, worn with travel, and clothed in rags and shreds—his share of the results of the riot—was wedged in among a crowd of people who were watching with deep interest certain hurrying gangs of workmen who streamed in and out of Westminster Abbey, busy as ants; they were making the last preparation for the royal coronation. (30.9)

You know that phrase, "If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck"? Well, if Edward has all of the trappings of a pauper, what makes him the "true king"? Is he innately different from others, or is it more complicated than that? Does anything actually make him the "true king"?

Quote #9

Presently he caught sight, at a distance, of a couple of his ragged Offal Court comrades—one of them the lord high admiral in his late mimic court, the other the first lord of the bedchamber in the same pretentious fiction; and his pride swelled higher than ever. Oh, if they could only recognize him now! (31.7)

What do you think Tom's old friends would say if they could see him now? More importantly, why do you think Tom feels pride here? It's not like he's become royal as a result of his own efforts; it was a total accident. Maybe Twain is trying to show how easily people can start to look down on others as soon as they get a little taste of power or money.