Shawnigan Lake School - Yearbook (Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia Canada)

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Shawnigan Lake School Magazine see his way therein. But come now declare me this and plainly tell it all; whither wast thou borne wandering, and to what shores of men didst thou come; tell me of the people and of their fair-lying cities, of those who are hard and wild and unjust, and of those likewise who art hospitable and of a god- fearing mind. And Odysseus of many counsels answered him saying: King Alcinous, most notable of all the people, verily it is a lengthy thing thou hast asked me to do, for many are the men whose towns I saw and whose minds I learnt. Nevertheless my heart inclineth me to grant thy request. But of what shall I tell thee? Methinks thou wouldst most like to hear the tale of my visit to the noble Shawniganians, a people akin to the gods, who dwell in the uttermost parts of the earth amid deep-flowing Oceanus. Yea, a goodly isle do they inhabit, rich in the fruits of the earth, a land of tall trees and rugged rocks. Thither did a fair breeze carry me in my wanderings. Now when we had brought our ship to shore, I chose me out five goodly companions, the best I had in my company, and with them I set forth to dis- cover what manner of place it was. And all of a sudden we came to a clearing in the woods, hard by a lake, and there we espied the abode of the hospitable Shawniganians. Fair to look upon were their dwellings, big, and built of timber. And they were all clustered about an outer court and a garden which was built nearby with stones, deep bedded, and with tall pines all around and maples with their high crown of leaves. Then pondered I in my heart whether I should return to my ship then and there and arm my companions. But this was the counsel that showed best in my sight. Hardby there was a gate that led through the garden, rich in blooms, to the inner court. And at the entrance thereof was a man working, of broad stature and rugged countenance. And from his mouth there hung a pipe, small and black, from which there issued a grey-blue smoke — the strangest thing that ever I have seen, as if the man were afire. And lo! a hound raised up his head and pricked up his ears, even where he lay, Geryon, the hound of Palintonos, hardy of heart — for such I learnt was the man ' s name — which had saved his master ' s life in times past and had done many another wonderful feat, but could not do them now. So it seemed to me the best thing to accost this man and to tell him how I had come from the land of the Trojans, tamers of horses, and was sailing on my way to Ithaca. Then answered he me and said, ' Hail, friend, methinks thou art a stranger in these parts. I, too, fought before the walls of Troy and was a captain of the far famed allies. ' (And I knew his speech was sooth, for, verily, he did work like a Trojan.) ' But now a hard lot is mine, luckless man that I am. For I spend my time driving forth from this garden, which I fashioned with my own hands, yonder kine with shambling gait which ever stray within these gates and mar my handiwork — out on it! But come, tell me what thou desirest and if it lies within me to grand thy request, surely will I do it. ' So spake he, and I enquired of him where I might find the people that dwelt in that place. And he answered and said unto me, ' Come, follow me and I will show thee. ' So he led the way and I went with him. And he guided me up a steep 12

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Shawnigan Lake School Magazine in conversation. They then burst into topical rhyme with many pauses where memory failed them. More unkind digs were administered in Dust and Ashes, after which we were introduced to a bearded, modern minor prophet with a notebook in his hand, in case he should forget his lines, and a less bearded, modern minimus prophet. These two worthies proceeded to make a long series of wisecracks of a miscellaneous character on the school in general. To conclude, a chorus, seated somewhere on the stage in darkness, sang three Plantation Songs, and after God Save the King we were at liberty to start comparing this Rag Concert with those of the past. HART HOUSE QUARTETTE HAVING in mind the store of musical memories left to us following the first visit of the Hart House String Quartette last Autumn, it was with feelings of anticipation and gratitude that we took our places in the Big School, already well filled with representatives from Strathcona Lodge and Queen Margaret ' s Schools, on Saturday evening, November 17th; anticipation of another feast of classical music interpreted through the minds and hearts of such noted artists. Before the two major works of the programme, a short biographical sketch of the two masters, Haydn and Schumann, whose compositions were featured, was read to us by Mr. Harry Adaskin, second violin in the ensemble, and served as a fitting background for the music which followed. The opening movement of the Haydn Quartet (G Major, Opus 3, No. 3) was charming, while the serenade (in which the first violin voices and reiterates an enchanting little theme, while the other instruments pluck the accompani- ment) was played with the most delightful tenderness. The minuet had vitality and freshness, while the concluding movement was a real presto vividly coloured. The particular favourite was the adagio movement of the Schumann quartet (A Minor, Opus 41, No. 1), delightful in its beautiful tranquillity. Reminiscent of the pipes were the small figures of the bright little melody of the presto which brought this work to its close. Following a brief intermission we heard a group of English, Scotch and Irish folk tunes which, though played with artistic mastery, failed to com- plete the element of satisfaction hitherto felt in the full richness of the pre- ceding works of the older masters. AN APOCRYPHAL ODYSSEY (With apologies to Homer and his translators) SO FEASTED they in the halls of King Alcinous. Now when they had put from them the desire of meat and drink, then did King Alcinous, Lord of the Phseacians, speak unto Odysseus and say, Odysseus, in no wise do we deem thee to be a knave or a cheat, even as the dark earth rears many such broadcast, fashioning lies whence none can even

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Shawnigan Lake School Magazine slope by the same way whereby the chiefs of the Shawniganians had gone to gaze upon the games. And at length we came to the place of assembly, to a plain of wide prospect, where a great company innumerable had gathered themselves together. And as we drew near the throng a mighty shout rose up to heaven. And there before me, many youths, hardy of heart, stood up to play at ball with their feet and their hands. Yea, the godlike Shawniganians were about to join issue with the tall Bingboi, a people from across the gulf, from the land and city of the Kolumbians, shrouded in mist and cloud, and never does the shining sun look down on them with his rays, but incessant rain pours over miserable mortals. From the very start they strained at utmost speed, and as one host would fly forward together swiftly, so would the other draw back, laying low their foes as they drew near them. And when they had stayed the onrush, then would those that were forward rally round their leader. And even as the sea- gulls, that fly behind a vessel on the high seas, cluster about a tasty morsel, wrangling and in busy rivalry, even so did they rally round their leader, loud- shouting Uodardos. Then would the well-greaved Shawniganians wrestle hard with the heavy Bingboi for possession of the long-shadowed ball. And if in time they got it, then would the cunning Uitles have it out to fleet-footed Rhaxlos, and he to Dausos, shepherd of the host, if perchance he might cut through the foe and bring nearer the victory. And over all stood a herald, mighty to look upon, and clothed in a jerkin and loin-cloth. Most like was he to Poseidon, shaker of the Earth, and he blew upon a shrill trumpet to marshal the hosts, the smallest trumpet I have ever seen. No foul play did he allow, and if any became too forward, then would he call upon the gods to witness with a mighty oath, and declare him offside. Now, on the near side of the lists stood the chiefs of the Shawniganians; men of fertile Elis, learned in lore; Tuites, skilled in the games and like to a tree-covered peak, shrouded in mist; Mansos, that knew the secrets of the elements; Antonos, master of the oar, and many another. And on the far side yet more youths and bright-eyed sirens cheered on the heroes, whichsoever found most favor in their sight. Then, indeed, did my knees tremble beneath me and my heart was sore afraid, and I bade my men tie me to a goal-post or stuff my ears with wax. But they would not. Howbeit, I suffered no ill at the hands of the laughter-loving Sirens. Then came to me one like to father Zeus, lord of the thunder, riding upon a whole-hoofed horse, with many shepherd hounds about him. Kephalos was his name and his charger was named after the mighty Ajax. Now he was Lord of the hospitable Shawniganians, and he spoke kindly to me and took me in and gave me to eat and drink. Afterward he showed me all around his domain. There saw I three temples erected about the court, one to Zeus, lord of lords, one to grey-eyed Athene and one to Apollo the far-darter. And lo! within the temple of Athene were two mural paintings over against one another. On the one was depicted all that I had done in the land of Troy and all that should befall me in my journeying home. And on the other was portrayed the works of the industrious Kolumbians. Many other things he showed me; a fiery chariot which had risen from its ashes to newness of life like the Phoenix bird; a wooden horse like to the one I 13