University of Massachusetts Amherst - Index Yearbook (Amherst, MA)

Page 9 text:

IJ DEX BOARD George M. Milne EditoY ' iyi ' Chief Dorothea Donnelly Walter Guralnic Associate Editor Associate Editor Kenneth Farrell Raymond Wyman Business Manager Assistant Business Manager LITERARY BOARD Wm. Henry Moss, Editor Judith Wood Charles E. Eschhach Alexandre Gulben STATISTICS BOARD Louis A. Breault, Editor Angela Filios ' Melvin I. Cohen Sylvia Goldsmith Philip J. Spear ART DEPARTMENT ' L. Everett Roberts, Editor Robert W. Thorndil Dr. Maxwell H. Goldberg Prof. Lawrence S. Dic inson Literary Adviser Financial Adviser Prof. FranX Prentice Rand Faculty Manager

Page 11 text:

FOREWORD Deep currents of life flow through the lines of Homer ' s Odyssey, ' ' deep longings and struggles. The poem has too broad a sweep to he treated as a mere allegory on college life : its spirit is universal, yet its episodes may have their humble parallels in every life. Odysseus, the central figure, is indeed a demi god, but he is forced to war against hostile gods themselves, and his halting, ill- favored voyage becomes a very real human trial, and an embodi- ment of patient courage. ' ' With staggering sails aslant, his barl{ drives through the storms, her captain defying the elements and the capricious deities. Again, the hero experiences the zest of athletic contests, and enjoys the glad society of the feast in the halls of Alcinous. Then, too, there are days and years of waiting and disappointment, and partings from friends who pass ' ' Oh, far away, over the weltering tide. Calypso and Circe, with love and charms, tempted Odysseus to forego his quest and live in forgetful ease : but always from his soul came the stronger voice, . . .in spite of all, do I long to win my home once morel The wise, full-blooded spirit of Odysseus, its purpose and its freedom from the world ' s slow weight are most significant now, when we review the way we have come this year, and the changes which college life have wrought in us. For Odysseus was able to loo hac without regrets, to face the unl own ahead and cry, Push off and swiite the soundings furrows, for my purpose holds To sail beyond the sunset and the baths Of all the western stars until I die. It nuxy be that the gulfs will wash us down : It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles, And see the great Achilles whom we new. Tho ' much is tdl{en, much abides, and though We are not now the strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are. One equal temper of heroic hearts, Made wea b3) time, and fate, but strong in will. To strive, to see , to find, and not to yield.