Dexter High School - Signet Yearbook (Dexter, ME)

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I THE SIGNET 21 sider the almost medieval form which Shakespeare had to use, we cannot help but think it was this that made Shakespeare's masterpieces inferior to those of Moliere. The works of both these men are above criticism. Moliere's work will endure through the years for its practical humor and clever style. But Shakespeare will al- ways hold a high place in the work of dramatizing. His touch transformed like magic, and his lofty thought is above re- proach. Neil Fogg '26. THE MOUNTAIN OF OLYMPUS Towering above all Greece, towering high above Thessaly and Macedonia, higher than anything in the known world, stands Olym- pus. Olympus, the home of the godsg home of Thunder, home of Rain, home of Zeus, king of all godsg and lastly the place of perpetual sunshine. It was with these thoughts in mind that Nonnus, a young otlicer of the Grecian army, started upon his journey to ever- lasting peace. Nonnus was not an ordinary young man, but was more deliberate, thoughtful and careful than most of the boys of his age and he had read seriously about the task of obtaining everlasting peace in the castle of Zeus on the cloud- wrapped summit of Olympus. He had resolved to go to Phidias, the great scholar, who wrote the manuscript which he had read, to have puzzling questions an- swered. He had been told that at the peak of Thessaly he would meet a guide who would conduct him to Naxos, who in turn would give him further directions. Nonnus was on his way to the peak of Thessaly when he began to wonder to him- self whom he would see at the palace of Zeus. He was wrapt up in thought when he heard a soft voice calling, Nonnus! Nonnus! Nonnus turned and found himself facing a beautiful maiden. She was slender, and nearly as tall as himself, with light Hair and laughing blue eyes. He looked at her with amazement and could not find his voice. You are surprised to find me up here, aren't you? she asked. ' Not so much surprised to see you as I am that you should know my name, he an- swered. An awkward silence fell and they stood and looked at each other amazedly. Who are you, anyway? Nonnus asked 'her. I am Dioxe, granddaughter of Zeus, King of the Gods, she informed him. You are on your way to the palace to obtain eternal life. I saw you coming so I came to meet you. But why should you come to meet me? You don't know me. Why should you meet me instead of many others who come this way? Because you are seeking adventure and a new life. Others only seek eternal life for their selfish selves. I am the daughter of Theoxe, God of adventure and he sent me here to meet you. We are to go to the summit of Thessaly and you are to get your instructions. So saying she pulled out of her hair a small flute and played a few notes. Al- most immediately a great eagle, the largest bird that Nonnus had ever seen came to her. On his back were fixed two seats. Dioxe told Nonnus to take a seat and the great bird carried them up, up and up until they reached the castle of Piora, God of Fire. Piora told Nonnus that from there he must go alone to the Dungeon of Frogs and receive his next directions. But to get to the dungeon he must go over a steep cliff which had steps only large enough to ob- tain a fiimsy foothold. If he once lost his nerve and became dizzy he would doubtless crash to the jagged rocks a thousand feet below. Nonnus, with only one thought in mind, that of seeing Dioxe again, reached the dun- geon in safety. He was given a rolled manuscript by Archon, King of the Frogs to take to Naxos on Mount Macedonia. To Archon he bade farewell and with a frog as a guide was conducted from the dungeon through the Woods of Snakes and at last directed to the route up Macedonia. Nonnus! Nonnus! he heard come from somewhere near him. Nonnus! Nonnus! Nonnus turned and saw nothing. He look- ed this way and that, but still he found nothing. He continued his way up the

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22 THE SIGNET inounain deciding that his imagination was playing tricks on him. In due time he came to the Palace of Naxos, God of the Floods. As he neared the gates, they were opened and whom should he see to greet him but Dioxe. Lovelier than before, her eyes radiant, she welcomed him. You were a long time getting here, she said. I only know I was away from you a long time, he returned. From now on I am going to be'your guide, and see that you make more haste. We should have been home long ago, Dioxe said. At these words a servant came and in- formed Nonnus that Naxos desired to see him. Nonnus followed the servant through the magnificent walk and corridor and soon found himself in the presence of Naxos. He gave the god the manuscript and waited for him to read it. You are to Hy with Dioxe, my niece, to the land of Everlasting Peace, in the king- dom of Olympus, ruled by Zeus, King of all Gods, he informed Nonnus. Your acts are praiseworthy and your bravery and courage is excellent. You are a true soldier. Bowing before Naxos, and thanking him, Nonnus took leave and went in search of Dioxe. He found her standing beside her huge eagle waiting, to carry him to the land of Everlasting peace. As they flew up through the clouds to the land of perpetual sunshine, to the region where storms are unknown, Nonnus realized as he looked at the beautiful Dioxe that he would not only have Everlasting Peace but with her beside him he would have Eternal Happiness. Harold Gilman '25 AROUND THE The sun has set and only the bright crimson of the western horizon remains to tell of a most enjoyable day. As the dark- ness creeps over the forests, the stillness is broken only by the sounds of the woods, the wierd call of a loon, the plaintive song of a whippoorwill or the lesser chirps of a beetle. Thisis the time that Chief Mandi- kwam summons his people to council. The path to the council ring winds through a dense pine grove. The earth, carpeted with pine needles, gives forth no sound as the silent figures pass. When all are assembled the chief lights the fire as an emblem of the Great Spirit and as the frag- rant pine smoke begins to curl upward to- wards the stars, he speaks to them. O, my people, heed ye the teachings of the great spirit. Has he not been good to us? Is there not much meat in our lodges? Have we not riches in plenty? Health and happiness are ours. Seek not the false, deluding joys of the white man. There is no true happiness except that of the dwel- lers of the great out-of-doors. What sweet- er music is there than the songs of the birds? What is there more marvelous COUNCIL RING than the beautiful creations of the Great Spirit? Who are happier than we wood- land people. O, my people, again I charge you to seek no enjoyment except that which is ours already. There is a rustle among his hearers. They know their chief to be a great man. He has spoken little but he means much. Now there is a short time which, before the clos- ing of the council, is to be given over to entertainment. The young braves compete with one another in games which call for a keen mind as well as a fit body. There are loud wows of approval and wahs of disapproval as the games proceed. Every- one is enthusiastic about the outcome of the contests. However, there is an end to all things and the sports finish at last. The chief closes the council with the repeating of the tribal prayer. The people slowly return toward their lodges. But who are these who linger along the path? They are the young braves with their maidens, for who could resist such a night. The full moon smiles down upon the Indian lovers. A loon calls over the water. Carl Moses '25.