Crown Point High School - Excalibur Yearbook (Crown Point, IN)

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£xcaUbur 4 4 t 4 IsJD NOW, as Excalibur, in the hands of Arthur, nobly accomplished its purpose, may we hope that our Excalibur may truly accom¬ plish its purpose—to graphically portray our school days of work and play for the war year, 1943 - 1944 . We who are graduating hope that it will be remembered as our best achievement cli¬ maxing four work and fun-packed years, which are but memories now—joyful and endearing memories. In spite of war-time restrictions which do not permit us to turn out as elaborate a book as those of previous years, we think we have given you an accurate picture of our life at Crown Point High School, of the happy days which we have spent together. SJ o

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fje torp of Cxcaltfmr The noble English king, Arthur, in the white winter of his age,” had come to die. With the last stroke of his sword Excalibur, he had slain the false knight, Modred, life-long enemy to his kingdom. Now, all but slain himself, he lay in a ruined chapel near the field of battle. Speaking to his bold knight, Sir Bedivere, the king said, cannot last till morn. Thou therefore take my brand Excalibur, which was my pride; for thou rememberest how, in those old days one sum¬ mer noon, an arm rose up from the bosom of the lake, clothed in white samite, mystic, wonderful, hold¬ ing the sword—and how I rowed across and took it, and have worn it, like a king. . . . Take Excalibur and fling him far into the middle mere; watch what thou seest, and lightly bring me word.” Bedivere, not wishing to leave his King aidless and alone, hesitatingly stepped down the zigzag path which led to the shining levels of ihe lake. There in the frosty moonlight he drew forth the brand Excalibur, the haft twinkling with diamond sparks and topaz-lights of subtlest jewelry. He gazed so long at the jeweled beauty of the sword that his eyes were dazzled and his mind, uncertain. At long last it seemed better to him to conceal Excalibur there in the many-knotted water-flags. He strode back slowly to the wounded king, who asked, Hast thou performed my mission? . . . What is it thou hast seen, or what hast heard?” And answer made the bold Sir Bedivere: I heard the ripple washing in the reeds, and the wild water lapping on the crag.” King Arthur, faint and pale, severely reprimanded his knight, saying, ”This is a shameful thing for men to lie. Yet now I charge thee, quickly go again . . . and do the thing 1 bade thee. Watch, and lightly bring me word.” Then went Sir Bedivere the second time, fixed in thought, examining the wonder of Excalibur’s jew¬ eled hilt. To himself he reasoned, And if indeed I cast the brand away, surely a precious thing should thus be lost forever from the earth. . . . What good should follow this, if this were done? What harm, undone? Deep harm to disobey . . . yet were it well to obey if the King demand an act unprofitable, against himself? The king is sick, and knows not what he does. But were this kept stored in some treasure-house of mighty kings, someone might show it at a just of arms saying, ' King Arthur’s sword, Excalibur, wrought by the lonely Maiden of the Lake. Nine years she wrought it, sitting in the deeps upon the hidden bases of the hills’.” And so he thought, clouded with his own conceit, and hid Excalibur the second time; and so strode back slowly to the wounded King, who, breathing heavily, asked, What is it thou hast seen, and what hast heard?” And answer made the bold Sir Bedivere: I heard the water lapping on the crag, and the long rip¬ ple washing in the reeds.” To whom replied King Arthur, much in wrath: ”Woe is me! Authority forgets a dying King. Get thee hence the third time, and if thou spare to fling Excalibur, I will arise and slay thee with my hands.” Then quickly rose Sir Bedivere, and ran, leaping down the ridges lightly, plunged among the bul¬ rush beds and clutched the sword and strongly wheeled and threw it. The great brand made lightnings in the splendor of the moon, flashing round and round, whirling in an arch, fell. But ere it dipped the surface, rose an arm clothed in white samite, mystic, wonderful, and caught it by the hilt, brandished it three times and drew it under in the mere. And lightly went Sir Bedivere to the King. Then spoke King Arthur, drawing thicker breath: Now see I by thine eyes that this is done. Speak out; what is it thou hast heard, or seen?” And answer made Sir Bedivere and told the miracle he had seen. And Arthur, breathing hard, yet satisfied, replied, My end draws nigh. Make broad thy shoulders to receive my weight, and bear me to the margin of the lake.” And so, carried by Sir Bedivere to the margin of the lake his parting words to his bold and faithful knight were these: The old order changeth. yielding place to new, and God fulfills himself in many ways. I have lived my life. ... If thou shouldst never see my face again, pray for my soul. More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of. And now, farewell.” And so departed the noble King never to be seen again. And so disappeared his sword Excalibur, leaving to us only a beautiful legend.

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