Life, 1902-01-02 · page 15 of 20
Life — January 2, 1902 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page features a romantic illustration with accompanying poem titled "Expectancy," credited to Clinton Scollard. The image depicts an idealized young woman in contemplative pose, rendered in delicate sketch style. The poem is a conventional piece of Victorian-era romantic verse celebrating feminine beauty and virtue. It employs classical references (comparing her to "mythic goddess," invoking Greek aesthetics) and literary allusions (referencing Tennyson's "lily-maid Elaine"). The text praises her physical attributes—hair, eyes, lips, shoulders—while emphasizing her modest demeanor and emotional purity. The final stanza poses a rhetorical question to male readers: wouldn't you pursue such a woman? This reflects period attitudes toward courtship and gender roles. Rather than satire, this appears to be *earnest* romantic content typical of *Life* magazine's literary and artistic offerings in the early 20th century. There is no apparent political commentary or mockery—it represents the sentimental, idealized view of womanhood common to the era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
-LIFE- 15 Expectancy. [07 in tender meditation, Hair—twould make a cynic glad, sir! Quite unconscious of her pose, Sunny wave and curl and quirk ; Ne'er was lovelier creation "Tis the very maze, egad, sir, ‘Than this lovely maiden rose! Wherein Cupid’s sure to lurk ! Fair as any mythic goddess, Eyes that set the dreams a-crowding, Yet with earthly beauty such Breeding visions that are vain, As the blossom at her bodice All the pensive rapture shrouding That her fingers lightly touch ! Of the “ lily-maid"” Elaine! Lips where purity and pity In seraphic union meet; Lips that could be wise or witty ; Lips that always would be sweet! Phidian slope of arm and shoulder! C Ne'er more perfect nor more pure Saw a marveling beholder Limned on Greek entablature ! How demurely she dissembles, Maidenly and silent-wise! Yet what soft expectance trembles On her lips and in her eyes! Sooth, were you her looked-for wooer, Chosen one of all the throng, Would your heart not hasten to her? Would you keep her waiting long? Clinton Seoltard. comicbooks.com