Burlesques William Makepeace Thackeray

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The next day, the young gentleman proceeded to enroll himself in the corps of Archers of
the Prince of Cleves, and with him came his attached squire, who vowed he never would
leave him. As Otto threw aside his own elegant dress, and donned the livery of the House
of Cleves, the noble Childe sighed not a little. 'Twas a splendid uniform 'tis true, but still it
WAS a livery, and one of his proud spirit ill bears another's cognizances. "They are the
colors of the Princess, however," said he, consoling himself; "and what suffering would I
not undergo for HER?" As for Wolfgang, the squire, it may well be supposed that the goodnatured,
low-born fellow had no such scruples; but he was glad enough to exchange for the
pink hose, the yellow jacket, the pea-green cloak, and orange-tawny hat, with which the
Duke's steward supplied him, the homely patched doublet of green which he had worn for
years past.
"Look at you two archers," said the Prince of Cleves to his guest, the Rowski of
Donnerblitz, as they were strolling on the battlements after dinner, smoking their cigars as
usual. His Highness pointed to our two young friends, who were mounting guard for the
first time. "See yon two bowmen—mark their bearing! One is the youth who beat thy
Squintoff, and t'other, an I mistake not, won the third prize at the butts. Both wear the same
uniform—the colors of my house—yet wouldst not swear that the one was but a churl, and
the other a noble gentleman?"
"Which looks like the nobleman?" said the Rowski, as black as thunder.
"WHICH? why, young Otto, to be sure," said the Princess Helen, eagerly. The young lady
was following the pair; but under pretence of disliking the odor of the cigar, she had
refused the Rowski's proffered arm, and was loitering behind with her parasol.
Her interposition in favor of her young protege only made the black and jealous Rowski
more ill-humored. "How long is it, Sir Prince of Cleves," said he, "that the churls who wear
your livery permit themselves to wear the ornaments of noble knights? Who but a noble
dare wear ringlets such as yon springald's? Ho, archer!" roared he, "come, hither, fellow."
And Otto stood before him. As he came, and presenting arms stood respectfully before the
Prince and his savage guest, he looked for one moment at the lovely Helen—their eyes met,
their hearts beat simultaneously: and, quick, two little blushes appeared in the cheek of
either. I have seen one ship at sea answering another's signal so.
While they are so regarding each other, let us just remind our readers of the great
estimation in which the hair was held in the North. Only nobles were permitted to wear it
long. When a man disgraced himself, a shaving was sure to follow. Penalties were inflicted
upon villains or vassals who sported ringlets. See the works of Aurelius Tonsor; Hirsutus
de Nobilitate Capillari; Rolandus de Oleo Macassari; Schnurrbart; Fresirische
Alterthumskunde, &c.