Judge, 1883-07-14 · page 4 of 16
Judge — July 14, 1883 — page 4: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "The Duel between Hector and Ajax" by Alice Cooper This is a humorous retelling of the Homeric duel from the Trojan War, rendered in mock-heroic style with contemporary American references. The cartoon illustrates scenes from the battle while the text parodies classical epic language. The satire works by treating ancient Greek warriors as if they were modern American figures—comparing them to contemporary boxers like John L. Sullivan and Mitchell. The final section shifts to modern New York, satirizing how a man must be careful conducting himself there, referencing attempted suicide laws and urban policing. The concluding epitaphs (baker, lawyer, fireman, plumber) are jokes about professional stereotypes. The point appears to be contrasting the glory and freedom of ancient heroic combat with modern urban constraints and legal restrictions—suggesting American society has become overly regulated and restrictive compared to simpler, more straightforward eras.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
| O where 13 ny elsar i ite Deg? The Duel between Hector and Ajax. | BY SLICK CoorEK Now in the days of King Agumemnon— lord of many nations ] came Athens pian heights, heart is sad within me be whom E lov lain by He to eall for the POA to stay the batt Apollo answered and said, ‘* Let us hasten son Heetor, he of the strong arm, to t the bravest Greek—man to man—and sure you pick out a b en’ Helenus (which was a seer) went near to Hector and said unto him, ‘ Listen’ to me, for Lam your brother, and don’t you forget it. Thow art to fight a Greek—and Pal your ear, Ajax will be the ma nda long name— 1, fromthe Olym- My K end 1 unto Apollo, ise the Vain is it I know not how ‘The while, King Agamemnon was offering a bribe of a marble monument to the man who would rise up against Hector; but they Sow sane) said they us cast lots to decide who shall do battle with this great m Then threw they the lots int | smoking-cap, and Diomed prayed, | ye gods, that the lot of either of the may feap forth, but not mine—for he and could rful man and str whitewash me in one round. Then cried Ajax the @ the lot, my ! and pray the 2 1s hear, else they'll think we're Ajax girded up his loins Tata, Athene stepped ot Thre thou . come “S| Ajax! Went now I th ttle—but_ 1 would 1 foe by stealth, but openly, if it so Vibe alarmed: [won't hit you passed even without Meets rs nose wa irts of his e. Yet Hector die except th _ even unto the and Ajax had a bh ‘Nut t up from the Jaki ear wherrart, x dodged and seized yeu. . Which took Hector in vhackward, But audience, how- more, my son ue mighty warriors—but you ws of the ring, Here cor Sothey g¢ cooted: and right g¢ up their loins and «the sons of Troy when Hector had come off And King Agamemnon, who had held the the while. | cape of Ajax, s f whether P wouldn't have to tight him HII be a chilly day when Tarra spon A MAN has to be mighty careful how he If in New York, He will he urret with impunity, ume off his mortal conduets bine | allowed te | but if he arve init attempts t = = | he'll be di wouldn't rise,“ What! doth no champion doctor with 1 come forth? Surely, if Father Peleus were | pump, and th ent up to the [sk alive, he would grieve to | sixty days or so. If he drops overboard, and would pray that this day I there will be men all along the shore with Bat there anos a miarniirl boat-hooks to fish him out, and. the justice and (hey anid cue ty another. will punish him for attempted felo de John Longfellow Sullivan or Mitehel, that | Should he try in vain to eut off his head with they vanquish him—re have families to snp. a tazor, they will mot Tet him « : ut will punish him for his jug Menclans, thestumpy:«Sures | got s0 now that a man has todo pretty sure arose Menelaus, the stumps: Sur] work with himself before it is found out, or fight him my ownself, for th sof battle | he will be punished severcly. with the immortal ft a Trot ont your A siloemaken’s epitaph—True to the k A baker’s—A friend in knead, A lawy Calmly he lies. A’ fireman’s—He dread * Brother, non answere you paralyze us » with, your squat form not the tire. A plumber’s—Faithful to his and embonpoint yt to vane charge. quish one st «but take a man of your Then Men nacions aw asher toe No matter how pt | he permits the habe n may be, rand cult ned to his brother’ words and took nd adrink. | him with impunity. ‘Then up are chiefs of fame, (among = them Diomed, x the | nd Ajax‘ Awn’'s well that ends swell,” remarked the G J erying © Timidi! Timidi!” the sh ker as he punctured ‘a boil with one of his tools. whieh is the Latin for ards.” They feared to express themselves in their native tongue, for fear of the multitude. Then Vo split a hair—use a cleaver on a hare. comicbooks.com