Polytechnic High School - Polytechnic Student Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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SIR COEUR DE J OIE Lorraine Frankenfleld, S'l4. Sir Coeur de Joie had sinned. The court i C The while the April world was all a-flowerj ln the black hall had sat and judgment given: He shall go forth, out to the cross-roads where The fair is holding, and shall Weep, that he May gain a spirit of humility. And he shall cry forgiveness and repent, Sorrow for sin until grace come from Heaven. Sir Coeur de Joie had gone. With head low bowed he hastened to his place. I-Ie seemed full humble, but the Warders came And found him laughing when he should have wept Once more, in May, they tried him. He, smiling, pleaded free from any wrong. I went to weep, but, good sirs, I saw The sunshine sparkle in the warm, sweet air, Heard people buzzing all around the fair, Friend greeting friend and calling down the road. I saw the children dancing and a cloud Of happy dust half elouding out the sun- I laughed in simple joy, the joy of life! The black judge droned, We sent you to repent, And true humility would find no joy Withoiit the penance done. But, sirs,- The tiny birds were chirping, and the bees Lifting the drowsy flowers for the sweet. The wi11d was rippling in my hair, and all Around was happiness and life, busy, Contented, humming life. Joy everywhere! I could not help but laugh. And laughing, you still ask for IIeaven's graeel' Aye, for a smile may hide a heart more penitent Than gloomy prayer or noisy tears. He is a heretic. Such thinking W0llld soon destroy all sense of right or wrong. Let him be burned, come middle of November. November came, and with it many storms. l25l

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were whirling giddily. Alice was the gayest of them all. Her words came back to ine: The utter loneliness of the place gets hold of one ! Loneliness! I laughed aloud. No, I told my partner, I was only thinking of a funny story I heard the other day. When the last guest had departed, I climbed wearily up the stairs. Be up early, called Alice after meg we're going on a long tramp. Some of the people from the hotel are going to call for us at eight. I shook my fist at her in the dark. It was simply unbearable! The more I thought of it the more maddening it seemed--the greater grew my rage. I, who had come up here for rest, to have all this thrust upon me. It was too much. It was not the excitement that I minded so much, though I was dead tired, then. It was the awful formality that had to be gone through with-the dressing for occasions when I had no dresses, the smiling brightly at people who, I knew, considered me a perfect guy, the long conversations about duck-shooting with individuals like the Boxers. I could not and would not bear it. Before I went to sleep I had evolved a plan. The next morning after breakfast we set out on our tramp. Thank heaven for one thing, I was suitably dressed this time! The party was small, and we got on famously. I was almost beginning to enjoy myself. But when, upon returning home, Alice announced that in the afternoon, several women Cinclud- ing Mrs. Boxerl had been invited to a little game of whist, and tea afterwards, I knew that my time had come. After lunch Alice went upstairs to dress, and I sat on the veranda. Sud- denly I dashed upstairs. Alice, oh Alice, I called. I've just got a telegram from my Uncle Jim, saying that he is dangerously ill, and wants me to come to the city immedi- ately. And I waved a slip of yellow paper so quickly that she could not see that there was no writing on it. Why, that's strange. I never knew before that you were particularly fond of him, she mused. In fact, I even thought you didn't get along very well. Oh, We're great friends, I continued rapidly, as I saw a vision of Mrs. Boxer and the lorgnette coming up the walk. So sorry! Perhaps I can come back, but I really must go now. There 's no time to lose. Of course not, said Alice, her sympathies aroused at once. You poor girl! Give him my regards, and come back immediately he is Well. On our Way to the train she chatted volubly: l'm afraid it's been rather dull. I looked at her sharply, but she was perfectly serious. I've had a lovely time, I lied. N 1, ,K ,, ,, ,, My uncle's illness has proved serious, and Alice looks for me in vain. Each week I receive a solicitous letter from her, beginning: I do hope your uncle is better, and ending, Be sure to come up as soon as you can. Slimmer is over now, and she is looking forward to my coming next year. Perhaps I shall have mustered enough courage and clothes, by that time, to accept. Of one thing, however, I am very sure: I will take my vacation before I go-not while I am there. The simple life is too strenuous for me! l24l

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It will be dark for months, the wise ones said. Then to Sir Coeur de Joie a good priest came With heart for heresy compassionate. My son, wilt thou not pray with me? Sir Coer de Joie bowed low and humbly said, I have one prayer. Tomorrow let the sun Shine brightly, let the day be fair. Heist thou no thought of penitence? The priest Was sore astounded. Sire, my prayer Has gone. I did no wrong and so- Ask no forgiveness. That night the heavy storm raged mightily. 'Twas just before the morning when they led Sir Coeur de Joie, half doubting, to the stake. And all the crowding people heard him say, Light-give me light! The flame crept up. Birds called. Dawn broke-the day was fair. THE OTHER NONNE Annabelle 'Wishard, S'15. Another nonne with hir hadde she That was hir ehapelayne, with gentil ye, And plesaunt, comely face and whyte skinne, As thogh a holy radiance from withinne Hadde lent unto hir human features fyne A Christ-like look, which, soothly, was divyne. Ful pleyn she dressed in gowne of greyish hue. A holy nonne was she of greet virtue. Of kindly deede and worde, and noble thoght. Of what was low and coarse she spake noght, But only of the workes goode men do. A member of hir order she was new. Happy she was til hir betrothed lovyer Hadde hir deserted and loved him another. Then cam this mayde to the monastery Where she was loved for hir curteisye And plesauntnesse. Well song she the service And served well hir Lord ek al the day, No trues nonne was ther in al the abbotrye. Hir broken herte hadde left hir soul more free. Mary, she was y-cleped, and like that Virgin Ther was no nonne more pure and free from syn. l25l