Judge, 1888-12-29 · page 18 of 19
Judge — December 29, 1888 — page 18: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a poem by I. M. Gregory presented as an illustrated page in *Judge* magazine. The decorative border of detailed flowers frames an inclusive Christmas message rather than political satire. The poem's central argument is that Christmas generosity should transcend all social boundaries—it addresses people regardless of class ("coat or gown"), appearance ("handsome, or crippled and sore"), or economic status ("poor...or have gold"). The speaker (representing an idealized Christmas spirit) commands readers to seek out the marginalized ("byways...rags and hungry are") and bring them to the feast. The final stanza employs biblical language (the "fragments thrown away" recalls Jesus feeding multitudes) to suggest that Christmas charity should be abundant and inclusive enough to satisfy everyone. Rather than attacking specific figures or policies, this page presents aspirational social messaging—essentially arguing that Christmas should inspire generosity toward society's poorest members, a message that would resonate with *Judge's* middle-class readership.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
OME, good fellows, and bide with me, Wherever and whatsoever ye be; Wear ye the coat or wear ye the gown, At home in the street or the stone of brown; And whatsoever your age may be, Old or young or large or wee; This to ye, whichever ye are And whether ye live ts make or mar; Be ye handsome, or crippled and sore, Aught ye shall be I shall love ye more; Poor ye may be, or have gold and rest, Lo! I shall love each one the best; This is the day that belongs to me, And this that belongs to my heart and thee. Go ye into the byways far, Go ‘where the rags and the hungry are; None too great and never the least That grows too small for the Christmas feast; Bring all to the Christmas groom and bride, For love at Christmas has no false pride; The board is as broad as the “world is wide, And all waves roll to the Christmas tide; And whatsoever a man may be He must have his pick of the Christmas tree For of every quip and crank and jest, This most befits and is far the best: That the more the good host pleases his guest The more he laughs of his own behest: And always a basket of right good will Fills every heart to its own good fill; And you take of the fragments thrown away To fill ten baskets on Christmas day. 1. at. GREGORY. sory TIC wANO comicbooks.com