Judge, 1917-02-17 · page 3 of 28
Judge — February 17, 1917 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents a nostalgic poem rather than a political cartoon. The text reflects on youthful ambitions versus adult reality: the speaker recalls childhood dreams of adventure (sailing ships, conquering castles in Spain), college aspirations of romance and status, and young adult wanderlust. The concluding stanza reveals disillusionment—heroes remain in books, romantic ideals fade, and the speaker now lives modestly as a renter in a small castle in Spain, catching cheap trains and living an ordinary life. The ornate dark border framing the poem suggests this is a satirical commentary on the gap between youthful fantasy and middle-class reality, likely resonating with Judge's educated readership experiencing similar disappointments during the early 20th century. The "Castle in Spain" becomes a metaphor for unfulfilled dreams.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
IDLE DREAMS HEN I was a youngster and merry, With only my sums for a care, My friends were each god, prince or fairy Who shared my tall castles of air. Some day I should fight with the Legion, Some day sail a ship on the Main, Or conquer some riotous region And rule in a Castle in Spain. When I was a freshman in college. For my profs I had scorn and a frown, For I knew that the only real knowledge Was possessed by the man-about-town Some day I should know each head-waiter, Curtly nod as he took gloves and cane, While I murmured, ‘Oui, Jules—coffee later,” In my a la carte Castle in Spain. Years elapse: | got off at the station, Other wand'rers were welcomed and kissed, Though I'd knocked about half of creation, I found that I hadn't been missed. Then I dreamed of a girl fondly yearning— Tearful eyes glad to greet me again, dod T caw tye gaily. returning To a neat, cozy Castle in Spain. * © © 8 8 8 6 I have lived several years and discover That heroes are still safe in books, And most of the glamours that hover Over men-about-town are their looks. Friend Smith has a sweet wife and daughter, (And catches the 5:20 train), And, I'm renting quite cheap, with hot water— One lonely old Castle in Spain. —H. R. Baukhoge.