The Poet ~ William Shakespeare was an English playwright and poet born 23 April 1564 and passed 23 April 1616. He is widely considered the greatest dramatist of all time as well as the most influential writer in the history of the English language. He originated hundreds of words and phrases that English speakers use to this day. These include “melted into thin air”, “wild goose chase”, “I haven’t slept a wink” and “break the ice”.
Our Reader ~ Elizabeth Jack is a respected former educator of Tokomairiro High School, whose teaching career spanned over four decades. Beginning at Tokomairiro in 1966, she quickly became a beloved figure in the school and wider community. After some time overseas, she returned to Milton, married, and resumed her role at the school, becoming Assistant Principal for the second time in 1991 and Deputy Principal in 1994, a position she held for 15 years. Liz also has a connection to literary heritage - as the daughter of Essie Summers, one of New Zealand’s most widely read romance authors, recalling growing up with the rhythmic sound of Essie’s typewriter and reading drafts hot off the press.
The Merchant of Venice, Act IV, Scene 1
The quality of mercy is not strain'd,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown;
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
But mercy is above this sceptred sway;
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,
It is an attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God's
When mercy seasons justice