The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-07-24


haunts of outlaws; and now as the royal
party approached there rushed out OF the
wood band of men disguised as Robin
Hood and his foresters. They were the
kings own guards disguised who had
prepared this little pleasantly for the
queen.
The chief, call in suit of Lincoln
green" bugle slung across his breast,
culver of arrows at his back, q sword
by his side, and long bow of yew in his
hand, looking for all the world like the
bold Robin of yore, advanced, and on
Bonded knee, begged the king and queen
and their train to enter the good "green-
wood and see how outlaws lived"
Henry, to carry out the farce, turned
to Catherine and asked if she dared to
venture into a thicket where SO many
outlaws lived.
The good queen smiled as she answer
ed: "Where you go, 1 am content to fol-
low. am safe with YOU"
"Thank you for that" whispered the
king. bending down and looking in her
face with glance that caused her soft
cheek to mantle with bushes. "Thy
king and husband would give his crown
and kingdom to make thee as happy as
thou vert in thy youth
In the midst of the wood bower had
been made of hawthorn boughs, moss
and spring flowers, and by the bower was
a sylvan throne. To the latter the queen
was conducted, and forest feast was
soon spread in the wildwood, the forest
ers waiting in true outlaw style upon
their noble guests.
Allan o the Dale piped during the re-
past, and Maid Marion and Will Scarlet
danced, while Friar Tuck and Little
John, in their bright scarfs and sashes,
jingled their bells and varied the per-
Torrance by feats of sparring and play
ing with the quarter staff.
What day was passed in the summer
wildwood, wandering among the gray
old oaks or reclining on the greensward,
listening to the carols of the birds or the
songs of the outlawsl How swiftly passed
the hours, and how merry they all we're!
How often in the aftertime must the sor-
rowing queen have looked back upon
that happy May day passed at Shooters
Hill OF all the bad deeds of Henry, we
are least disposed to forgive the suffer
ing he caused the loving heart of the
Spanish queen whom he took "for better
for worse" in the days of his buoyant
youth.
On the way back to London the party
was met by car filled with flowers on
which sat the Queen of the May and
Flora, her attendant. Five horses drew
the car, and on each one rode beautiful
girl personating some character Of the
spring, and those girls carried their arms
full of violets so that the air was one
breath of fragrance. As soon as they
saw the queen they began to sing May
carols, and all the way back to the city
this was continued, and the spring god
desses scattered flowers along the way.
And If there was one voice that was
sweeter, clearer than the rest, or one
whose eyes sparkled more enthusiastical-
ly, that one was Elsie Thomas she who
wore on her fair neck the chain of gold
that had once graced the neck Of Span
ish princess among the orange scented
gardens of the Alhambra.
That happy May day ended all too
soon, alike for the fairy child and the un-
fortunate queen. Evil days soon came
to Catherine of Arragon, when deserted,
repudiated, maligned, she lived resigned
in her retreat at Kimbolton Castle; but
among her pleasant memories were that
of her Maying at Shooters Hill and the
little girl on whom she beloved queens
gift.
And when she died and lay in her cof-
fin there came lady leading young
child, to gaze on the features of the dead
queen, and the child kissed the cold face,
aud the tears fell as she murmured, ST
love her, mother, for she was good to you,
and think she is happier now that she
has gone away from her trouble. Poor
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