Decipher These Stock carvings ?

[painter777]

Yes, still waiting Charlie...

Jim,
Just wondering if there was any real interest.
I recalled a bit of my summer bible classes, other than our dancing with snakes, I came up Southern Baptist.

"Still Sweet 20"

Back in 20 BC the Roman poet Horace wrote in Latin: “Carpe diem,” often described as “enjoy things while you’re young and able to enjoy them because they won’t last forever.” But the translation means “Seize the day.”

In Shakespeare's musical/play Twelfth Night in act II, Scene 3 Feste, the wise fool sings a song to entertain Sir Toby and Sir Andrew.

> = Meaning:

What is love? ’Tis not hereafter.

> Love shouldn’t be held off for the future: Love should be enjoyed right now.

Present mirth hath present laughter.

> Joy should come now. Don’t hold it off. Joy now will produce happiness now.

What’s to come is still unsure.

> Still in Shakespeare means “always.” So the line means “What’s to come is always unsure.”

In delay there lies no plenty,

> Plenty in this context means “reward.” So the line means “There’s no reward for delaying things.”

Then come kiss me, sweet and twenty.

> Here, sweet and twenty is a metaphor for a sweet young woman. It’s as if Shakespeare is saying: “Then come kiss me, you sweet young woman.”

Act Ends.

I doubt that your wondering but the performance by Feste was applauded by Sir Toby and Sir Andrew.

So to sum it up the GI that carved that stock was clearly familiar with Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. Read the Play lines and meanings over a few times. Think about a GI and a pause in Battle or before / after Battle. Where the future is unclear with no reward in sight.

I get the impression the GI that carved this was a romantic that had some education, religion, love of music, literature, theatre and the arts. Who might have recited the poem while looking across the waters to his loved one back home.

I can't ID the initials, but think he might have possibly been Italian or Greek.
The initials appear (but unsure) to be D. Ya then a or h, then i i L or U L

D. YAAhiiL
D. YAhUL
If either of the above it would show Israeli / Jewish decent.
About all I got.

Carpe Diem y'all

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