Life, 1883-11-29 · page 10 of 16
Life — November 29, 1883 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Political Satire: "The Rime of the Ancient Governour" This is a political parody modeled on Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," mocking a Massachusetts governor (likely referring to a real historical figure, though unclear which from the image alone) during a Democratic Party convention. The satire's key point: the governor, like the Mariner, has destroyed something precious—here, the Democratic Party itself (represented as a weak "phantom bird" called "Democracee"). The repeated references to "Georgius D." and "voters, voters, everywhere" suggest the party is fractured and unable to unite around a candidate. The shipwreck and card-playing ghosts represent political chaos and corruption. The "rock of Tewksburee" likely references a specific scandal or factional split. The overall message: the governor's political maneuvering has crippled Democratic fortunes, leaving only hollow phantoms and dishonest dealings in its wake.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE RIME OF THE ANCIENT GOVERNOUR. AN ANTIQUE METRE STRETCHED TO A MODERN VERSION. ‘An ancient gover: neor vottoabeieth Seedalog guest. Aod beginoeth « yar 1 ] T is an Ancient Governour, And he stoppetl ‘one of three : “* By thy bold cheek, by thy cock-eye, Now wherefore stopp’st thou me? ‘Tis now a new Convention time, And thither am I sent : The suffering Democrats have met To choose a President.” He holds him with that curious eye. The Delegate stood still, And listens like a henchman true— The Governour hath his will. “* Now, once there was a goodly ship, Her name the old ‘ Bay State,’ All goodly was het fair outside, And she carried a goodly freight. **A goodly freight in that grand old ship, And bright her prospects then ; But the people in a fit of glee, Or else of madness, it may be, Cried out together in accents free, * Let's give the ship to Ben!" “The ship was cheered, the harbor cleared, And out into the storm The ship Sailed forth the vessel, past the flats, Se ever: With a crew of ‘old line’ Democrats ae. And I in my uniform ! “At length was seen, through the dismal sheen That lay upon the sea, A weak and piteous phantom bird, Yclept Democracee. “Though very shy, yet by-and-bye The phantom bird did follow : A. bes ed And every day, for food or play, ae ee, Came to the Governour’s holloo.” ** God save thee, ancient Governoar, And keep thee lustily !— Why look’st thou so ?"—" With my cross-bow I shot Democracee."* Il. Down sank the sun with sullen red, Down into the stormy sea: With terrible shock, we struck a rock, The rock of Tewksburee. Now idly lies my wrecked ship; Try all the means I can, Toe etd mas As idly as a speech of mine smphinnt Affects an honest man, Voters, voters, everywhere ! But all for Georgius D. Voters, voters, everywhere, But not enough for me. A phantom ship then hove in sight, And naught her way retards, Teey meet 0 Upon her deck two ghastly sprites ‘Are playing a game of cards. And well I ween, there could be seen, As on the vessel came, The skinny ghost of Democracee, And it played a“ stinny” game. Bat the other wight, an honest sprite, Called out in accents brave : ** Lhave won, for mine are the highest cards ; You only hold the énave /” comicbooks.com