Judge, 1923-10-27 · page 4 of 36
Judge — October 27, 1923 — page 4: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Woes of the Poets" by Walt Mason This satirical piece critiques the economic struggles of poets and artists. The cartoon depicts a tall, thin poet being confronted by an impatient waiter at what appears to be a restaurant or inn. The waiter complains they've been "waiting over half an hour" for payment, sarcastically noting "this isn't the divorce court." Mason's accompanying text humorously describes how poets are celebrated for their talent but economically undervalued. He references famous literary patrons (the Crown and Anchor inn, Shakespeare) while noting that modern banks won't finance poets' work. The joke centers on the irony that society prizes poets' artistry yet leaves them perpetually broke—unable even to pay restaurant bills.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
C \ | | Drawn by Given WILKINSON. = | { “Look here, waiter, we've been waiting | | } over half an hour!” / / | ; of “Can't help it, sir; this isn’t the divorce / i | court.” WOES OF THE POETS by Walt Mason o THE Inn, the Crown and Anchor, by Caesar, sworn it by my halidome, that tainted with moss of years behind. I | where Bill Shakespeare I'd patronize the geezer who’s producing would have it celebrated, have some bard came one day the things at home. its charms enhance, and you're doubtless on a strange and urgent quest. : i every city much elated that I’m giving you the “Willyum,” said the man of shillings, ‘ou must chance. Get your harp and hop right to “you are handy with a] Thave heard know it, they are loaded to the guards. I it, celebrate the work we’ve done, and your plaintive trilling: ike a house could bring an outside singer to t I'll pay two quid, beshrew it, where 1 afire. People say your fame is spreading, to do my job, I could doubtless hire a planned to pay but one.” people read the tosh you drool, you are dinger for a quid, perhaps a bob. Now, Alw people treat the singer in this known from York to Reading and from our bank has just been painted, and the patronizing style, is some sort Hull to Liverpool. I have always said, inside kalsomined; and it is no longer of stinger back of every word and smile. Yr. make much greet to tl he g youo tones, riffle o has ti supply check the flo The with fi his at He'll | gotten grim renowl And vou fa “Grine winder you fif W: nervou geon y and ve dollars may W cough | Ther bard y comicbooks.com