Oak Grove Coburn High School - Oak Leaves Yearbook (Vassalboro, ME)

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O A K L E A V E S Translations from Elementary Latin A GHOST STORY There was a great house in Athens with a bad reputation. During the silence of the night the sound of chains was heard, at first far away, then very near. Then the ghost appeared, an old man with shaggy hair. He was wearing chains. Those were bad nights for 'those who were living there, then death followed. The house was then deserted and abandoned by the ghost. A philosopher named Athenodorus came to Athens, and having read the advertisement for the house and heard the price, asked why it was so cheap. He learned all, but nevertheless he rented it. When night came he demanded some tablets, a pen, and a light, then he dismissed all his serv- ants and directed his mind, eyes, and hands to writing so that he would not imagine fearful things. First, there was silence, then the chains were heard. He did not lift his eyes. Then the sound of the chains increased and came nearer. Now it was heard on the threshold, now within the door. He looked back and saw the ghost, standing and beckoning with a finger as if calling. But the philosopher turned back again to his studies. Again the sound of chains was heard. He looked back again at the beckoning ghost. Not delaying he lifted the light and followed the ghost. Afterwards the ghost turned aside in the courtyard and left him. He placed a sign in that place. The next day the philosopher went to the magistrate and advised that he order that place to be dug up. They found the bones and chains. They collected them and buried them. The ghost Was never seen in that building afterwards. Translation from an adapted letter of Pliny. REGINA LAMB, '31, FAMOUS ROMAN WOMEN Fulvia, the mother of Publius, was waiting with the latter's sisters, Cwcilia and Secunda, for Publius and Rufus. It is hard to wait all the time! declared Secunda. We wait for the men, we ourselves do nothing. The lives of boys and men are more inter- esting. They go to the games, to the Forum, to the senate house. But Rome does not love the girls. What? Doesn't Rome always remember her famous Roman women? asked Caecilia. It is true, were the words of Fulvia. Who does not remember Veturia who saved Rome? Coriolanus, theson of Veturia, had proposed a 21

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I WALKED ALONE I Walked alone Upon the hill, OAK LEAVES A wind-swept, cold, forsaken hillg And looked aghast At hardenedwpines I That bore each icy blast Without a sighg I shivered, And drew my garments closer still And plodded on. GERTRUDE PARK. 20 l 1 l .

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OAK LEAVES law. This law did not please the state. And so his enemies put Coriolanus to flight, and he fled to the Volscians, enemies of the Romans. He came with the Volscians to the gates of Rome and prepared to seize it. Veturia with other distinguished Roman women went to the camp of Coriolanus and begged for peace. Coriolanus was greatly moved by his mother's words and said, 'Mother, you have saved Rome' I And what Roman has not been deeply moved by the deeds of Cloelia ? said Caecilia. When a prisoner, she escaped from the camp of the Etrus- cans, enemies of the Romans, and swam across the river. In those times it was easy to earn fame because the Romans were carrying on war, said Secunda. But now there is peace. What can Roman girls accomplish while there is peace ? Much! answered Caecilia. Haven't the Vestal Virgins often saved Rome by sacred duties to the unfriendly gods? And who will not remember good Livia ? But they do not go to the Forum. Could not Lmlia deliver famous orations? questioned Fulvia. Did not Hortensia plead the cause of the Roman women in the Forum? In the Civil War the triumvirs ordered the Roman women to collect money. Hor- tensia said in the Forum, 'Why ought we to collect money? We have no authority in the state. If enemies come, we will collect money, but we will never give aid for the civil war.' By these words the triumvirs were com- pelled to yield. Roman boys read and hear about these, and about Cornelia, Claudia, Lucretia, about our Caecilia herself, and will always read and hear about them while Rome remains. Good Roman women protect the state. When danger comes, they will always be prepared. -Translation by VIRGINIA SCALES, '32. .1,- SOUR GRAPES Driven by hunger a fox sought a bunch of grapes on a tall grape arbor, by jumping with all his strength. As he could not reach them he ceased trying. They are not ripe yet, he said. I do not wish to take bitter things. Those who make light of these words which they could not write, should apply this example to themselves. ...l.... .- THE FROG THAT BURST The wretched one dies while he tries to imitate the powerful. Once upon a time a frog saw an ox and touched with envy of so great a size, puffed up his body. Then he asked his children whether he was 22