Madera Union High School - Blue and White Yearbook (Madera, CA)

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PURPLE AND WHITE The King’s Jester LOUISE MEILIKE, 717 “The King! The King! Make way for the king!’ At the cry the gorgeously dressed company of nobles stepped backward, leaving an open aisle to the throne; a moment later the tapestries at one end of the room parted and Richard HI. entered. A breathless silence ensued, a silence of ap- prehension. The king glanced carelessly over the brilliant assemblage, not ill-pleased with the result of his entrance, a cynical half smile playing about his features. Suddenly his wandering gaze was attracted by a figure standing alone at one end of the room, a figure on whose costume glowed a single red rose, the symbol of the power that had almost won from him the throne of England. Amid the intense silence he walked slowly toward the stranger, who saluted, then knelt before Richard and respectfully kissed his hand. Richard greeted him courteously, masking his hatred behind his courtly man- ner, “Thou art welcome,’”’ he said, “If thou comest as ennya Earl ot l.anchaster, and a loyal supporter of Richard III.’’ “IT come as Henry, Earl of Lanchaster, and a loyal supporter of your Majesty, Sire,” came the quick reply. “Tis well,”’ said Richard courte dusly, ‘Come, let us converse of other matters. Hast thou seen my new greyhound which came from the con- tinent?’’ Thus, arm in arm, the two sauntered out of the court room. No sooner had they disappeared from view, however, than tongues were quickly loosened, and many were the speculations voiced by the fair ladies and their attendant knights, as to the purpose of the Earl’s visit. Only one person in all that excited assemblage kept his own counsel, and that was the court jester, who lolled easily in the window seat, regarding the brilliantly attired scandal mongers, in moody silence. “What, Sir Fool, hast nothing to say?’’ cried a merry voice at his elbow. The Jester turned quickly, “Ah, Jacqueline, ist thou? What wouldst now?”

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PURPLE AND WHITE ae Che Shasta Daisy Hail! Shasta Daisy with petals of white, How thy rare beauties unfold, Let to the world thy sweet meaning be told, Emblem of truth and the right: Ever we watch thy majestic form wave Proudly when cool Zephyrs blow, Thinking that for us alone thou didst grow, Candid, undaunted, and brave. Candid thou art and as pure as the snow, Candid we’ll ever remain; Idauntless thou art in the sunshine and rain, So will we be ’gainst life’s foe: Brave are thy colors and brave we will he, Staunchly, though tried, we’ll press on, Though storms may rage on life’s perilous sea Strive will we till break of dawn.

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PURPLE AND WHITE “1 would thy thoughts, Fool,’’ came the laughing reply, “thou gaz- est so moodily into space. Come, wiseacre, break thy silence and let’s hear thy opinion of this matter. Is not the Earl a handsome gentleman, for- 5 sooth?” ‘“‘Aye, he is handsome, Jacqueline. He looks a king, with his stately majestic bearing and, e’en so, he has a winning smile. Me thinks I shall . like him exceedingly well. Aye, he looks a king,” thoughtfully, ‘‘more so than our Richard.”’ “Thou likest not Richard then?’’ came the quick question. “Hush! not so loud; the very windows have ears. But I tell thee what, Jacqueline, our Richard is too cruel and harsh.”’ The girl gazed before her with wide open eyes, ‘Dost think the Earl means peace, Fool? ”’ The Jester shook his head. ‘Thou canst not make me believe that the Earl has come here to arrange for peace. For sooth, Jacqueline, he has as good a claim to the throne of England as Richard has, he has more men than Richard, and they are far better Deve See has been shown by the battle of Towtonfield where they would easily have defeated Richard’s forces, had it not been for the fact that his majesty’s troops used gunpowder, while the Earl had none; had the Earl the secret formula for compounding this gun- powder, he would even now be King of England and Richard an exile! Nay, the Earl means not peace; that is but a pretense; he has some deeper purpose in thus coming to Richard. “And I’ll warrant thou will be the first to help him e’er the chance comest, eh, Fool?” The Fool shook his head, “I like not Richarl over much. But seest thou breathest this to none, Jacqueline,’ in sudden alarm, “else my head shall hang from the gibbet ere morning.” “Thou are my friend, Sir Fool, my tongue knoweth discretion,’ came the grave reply, and before the Jester could make answer the girl was moving away. Soon the Jester, tired of the noisy courtroom, rose also and walked slowly out into the gardens, As he neared a little summer house he heard voices within. Tis Volair and his fair maid,” thought the Fool, ‘They have been so busy cooing that they have not heard of the arrival of the Earl. 1 shalt tell them the news.’ So he sauntered forward and thrusting open the door, entered. “What Love Birds! hast not heard the news? ”’ The words died on the Jester’s lips, for before him stood, not Volair and his fair maid, but Richard and the Earl of Lanchaster. The King’s face was red with anger, ‘“‘Thou fool,’”’ he thundered, ‘I'll have thee hung for this! but no,’”’ in sudden contempt, ‘Thou art but a fool thou. canst do me no harm and are not worth e’en the trouble of hanging. But go thy way and seest thou comest not near me again.” The Fool turned and with white face and clenched hands left the ar- hor. Quickly he crossed into the rose garden and sat down beside a foun- tain—hurt and rebellious in mood. ‘Thou art a fool!—not e’en worth the trouble of a hanging! A fool!—not worth a hanging!’’ The words thun- dered again and again through his angry senses—‘‘a fool—not worth a hang- ing even.” The Jester groaned, ‘‘Bah, | can not stand it! 1 will not! Who is Ee I CD OS IO AEE TG —24a—