Loyola University Maryland - Evergreen / Green and Gray Yearbook (Baltimore, MD)

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14 THE LOYOLA ANNUAL ©rutli (A Parable.) ND I listened, for I heard the wind shrieking and howling in its exultation, and I could distinguish the words that it was saying; for it seemed to speak of regions unknown to men. ’ “I sing of the wild, wild sea which tosses and rolls in its agitation; for I am the demon of the winds which ravage thereupon. Far out in that vast ocean of water, which mortal eye hath not beheld, there stands a rock greater than anything which man hath known. It stands glorying in its strength, which is infinite; for here the ocean is thousands of fathoms deep and this rock takes root in its bottom, while its summit is lost in the clouds. And it glints in the sunshine as though it were encased in steely armor and it is bearded with moss ; for it is aged and stood when the first man was an infant.” And when I approached the rock it was dark; for the sun had long since sunk to his rest and the Monarch Night pre- vailed fiendish; howling was the tempest. And, in approaching, the ship encountered great difficulty; battling with the winds and the waves. And, having ap- proached, I was filled with great loathing and disgust; for it was filled with worms and vipers and other creeping and abominable things that feed on human flesh and putrid corpses. And the lightnings revealed to me that the ship was named ‘ Slander,” and I tried to read the legend carved upon the rock, but I could not because it was night. And I became angry and in my rage I ordered the winds to destroy this ship, this reeking thing. And they, blowing with tenfold strength and fury, hurled the ship upon the rock, and

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THE LOYOLA ANNUAL 13 history of the pirates, (for pirates they were), that dwelt on it, the ships that they plundered and the innocent lives that were lost will never be known save in that world where all secrets are revealed and where life flows along as happily and as joy- ously as a brooklet to the sea. Joseph J. Quinn, H. S. 12 . Ahoy to the brine-covered brig, my boys ! Ahoy to our ocean bride, Where the billow plays in the golden rays That rest on the heaving tide. We’re off to the bright evening skies, my boys! We’re off to the western waves; Think not of the dirge of the restless surge, That rolls upon sailors’ graves. We’ll race with the frolicsome moon, my boys! And list to the screeching gales. We’ll skip o’er the hue of the ocean blue A-spinning our seaman tales. Oh, spurn all these rollicking ripples, boys, That crisp on the silver sands ; And bid an adieu to good friends and true ; We’re off to the western lands. W. F. C.

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THE LOYOLA ANNUAL IS thus it sank. And immediately the tempest ceased and the sun rose and s hone with a blood-red light and revealed the character carved upon the rock so that they shone in the en- crimsoned light like fire. And I was enabled to read the legend carved upon the rock, and it was this : “Veritas,” which also means “Truth.” There was no sound save the lapping of the waves against the rock ; for the stars shone out of a peaceful sky. And I at- tempted to read a legend which was carved upon the rock, but I could not because it was night. Suddenly the night was changed and huge clouds, like birds of ill-omen, gathered in the sky, and suddenly there arose a great tempest; for I desired to crush this rock which defied my power. The thunders rolled with terrible noise and light- nings ran up the clouds, and the waves became as mountains and the rock trembled to its very base amidst this tumult of the elements, but fell not. And I tried to read the legend carved upon the rock, but I could not, because it was night. And suddenly there appeared in thje offing a great ship which, in the distance, appeared more beautiful than anything which the eye hath ever beheld, and the wind blowing through the rigging seemed to sing sweet lullabies, which contrasted strangely with the wind. And I listened to the voice of the wind howling in its exultation. And I drew my cloak up about my shoulders; for the wind spoke no more and was silent. And I shuddered ; for in the Book of Scripture are writ- ten these words : “And upon this rock I shall build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Arthur F. McCullough, H. S., ’14.