Judge, 1908-12-19 · page 5 of 16
Judge — December 19, 1908 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a romantic illustration accompanying a poem by Ida Goldsmith Morris titled "Castles in Spain." The image shows a couple gazing at an elaborate castle in the distance while standing on a hilltop—a visual metaphor for the poem's theme. The poem satirizes romantic idealism versus harsh reality. It narrates how a man dreams of marrying a woman of beauty and virtue, imagining a glorious future together. However, the reality proves disappointing: he marries "a widow of fifty" who is merely "well-preserved," and her wealth diverts him from his noble dreams. The title "Castles in Spain"—meaning impossible dreams or fantasy—captures the satire: romantic illusions crumble when confronted with practical, unglamorous reality, particularly regarding marriage and wealth.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THEIR FIRST COTTAGE eld Ti Castles in Spain By IDA GOLDSMITH MORRIS HE had dreamed that some hero micht woo her In his fancy he cherished a vision (This debutante, wistful and swect), (This gallant and debona‘r youth) She had hoped some Prince Charming might sue her, Of a future of rapture Elysian, And she pictured him low at her feet. With some maiden all beauty and truth. And then love in a cottage would follow, Through society's mazes he sought her ‘ With a faith he deemed naught cou'd destroy, Alar from society's whirl, From its shams and its mockeries hollow. (Just the innocent dream of a gitl!) But she plighted her troth at the altar But he wedded a widow of fifty, To a millionaire, gouty and gray, Quite a well-preserved beauty, ‘tis true, And nobody heard her voice falter, Whose first lord, by his management thrifty, As she promised to love and obey. Had amassed a round millon or two. Her cheek was as pale as the lace of her veil, And he knelt by the side of his simpering bride, While the wedding-chimes sounded love's knell, While the wedding-chimes sounded love's knell, But the jewels she wore cost ten thousand or more. But the wealth of his wife gilds his pathway through life. (So the world says she did very well.) (So the world says he did very well.) From his heart's pure ideal he wrought her. (Just the passionate dream of a boy !) comicbooks.com