Life, 1891-11-12 · page 3 of 15
Life — November 12, 1891 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "A Love Story" - Analysis This is a humorous poem illustrated with whimsical sketches about a romance between a Wizard's son and an Enchanter's daughter. The satire isn't political but rather social—it mocks professional rivalry and class conflict. The joke: their parents are magical trade competitors ("An Enchanter and Wizard, you see, / Were naturally rivals in trade"). When the young couple elopes, the parents pursue them in magical fury, eventually turning both lovers to stone in their rage. The moral at the end—advising against "Crime, Wickedness, Villany, Vice"—is delivered ironically, as the parents' destructive behavior contradicts such virtuous advice. This is lighthearted fantasy satire rather than political commentary, typical of *Life* magazine's entertainment content.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
PIONS ties for y nable sy VOLUME XVIII. ° L | f FE ° NUMBER 463. A LOVE STORY. E was a Wizard's son, She an Enchanter's daughter ; He dabbled in Spells for fun. Her father some magic had taught her. DAP - They loved—but alas ! to agree { Their parents they couldn't persuade . rin gaa ee ANY An Enchanter and Wizard, you see, Nie Were naturally rivals in trade— And the market for magic was poor— There was scarce enough business for two ; So what started—rivalry pure Into hatred and jealousy grew. Now the lovers were dreadfully good ; But when there was really no hope, After waiting as long as they could, What else could they do but elope? They eloped ina hired coupé ; And the youth, with what magic he knew— Made it go fully five miles a day. (Such wonders can sorcery do!) efully x Then the maiden her witcheries plied, or Roses >, 2 And enchanted the cabman so much, jcate act > When they got to the end of their ride Not a cent of his fare would he touch ! Now they're married and live to this day In a nice little tower, alone, For the building of which, by the way, Their parents provided the stone. Then the parents relented ? a Oh, no! They pursued with the fury of brutes, But arrived just too late for the show, Through a leak in their seven league boots ; And finding their children were wed, Into such a wild rage they were thrown, They rushed on each other instead And each turned the other to stone. Then the lovers, since lumber was high,— And bricks were as then quite unknown, As soon as their tears were quite dry— They quarried their parents for stone. And now in a nice little tower, In Blissfulness tinged with Remorse, They live like as not—to this hour (Unless they have got a divorce.) MORAL. Crime, Wickedness, Villany, Vice, And Sin only misery bring ; If you want to be Happy and Nice, Be good and all that sort of thing. 0. Herford. comicbooks.com