Judge, 1920-05-08 · page 13 of 36
Judge — May 8, 1920 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Ballade of the Absent Guest" Explained This is a poem by Richard Le Gallienne lamenting Prohibition. The "Absent Guest" is alcohol—specifically the spirits and drinks that were once central to social gatherings but are now absent due to legal ban. The poem uses the format of a formal ballade to express nostalgia for pre-Prohibition drinking culture. References to "Rye," "Scotch," and various cocktails highlight what partygoers can no longer openly enjoy. Lines like "No choice tonight 'twixt 'dry' or 'sweet'" mock the inability to order drinks freely. The illustrations show a party where guests appear dejected or awkward—the social lubricant of alcohol is missing, leaving only "hollow spree" and "tears." The final irony: the speaker drinks "in tears—the Absent Guest," suggesting that without alcohol, gatherings are reduced to mourning what's been lost. This reflects the cultural resistance to Prohibition among educated, social classes who viewed the law as culturally destructive.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A New Parra of Richard Le Gallicns Ballade of the Absent Guest By Ricnarp Le Ganisenne PRIENDS whom tonight once more TE greet ba Most gla And, as | look around, | meet am I with vou to be, Many a face right good to see; But one | miss—ah! where is he? Of merry eye and sparkling jest, Who used to brim my glass for me I drink--in what?—-the Absent Guest Low lies he m ms wind By or Harled Stulled zed hypocri m his happy vine-clad seat; fheart and hushed his glee; me darent mention we, Id friend who brou: ir tongues and sf n what?—the Absent Guest might “t or white, "twixt Rye—ah. me! ixt “dry” or “sweet,” Or Scotch—and vhink! we live 10 see i Nor whispered word, nor massive fee, Nor even influenza ‘plea, Can raise a bubble; but, as best We may, we make our hollow spree I drinkin what?-—-the Absent Guest. Friends, dis coffee, good is tea. And water has a charm u And yet that brave old deity! I drinkin tears—-the Absent Guest 4, | i F | | | BY | i J comicbooks.com