Life, 1903-02-12 · page 9 of 22
Life — February 12, 1903 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents a medieval-styled poem and illustration about Saint Valentine settling a dispute between a youth and maiden. The narrative describes the young couple quarreling, each accusing the other of theft and dishonesty. Bishop Valentine intervenes, commanding them to make peace and bind themselves together "with one bond." The satire appears to mock sentimentalized Victorian attitudes toward Saint Valentine's Day and romantic love. By presenting the saint as a judge forcing incompatible, quarrelsome people into union "for peace," the piece ridicules the idealized notion that love conquers all differences. Below, brief dialogue between "Todd" and two modern playwrights adds contemporary humor about creative anxiety—unrelated to the main feature.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Judgment of Bishop Valentine. gre tyme a Youthe of faire degree Didde looke upon a Mayde. Ah me, She was as coye as anye flow’r, She stole hys barte in thatte sayme how’r. Alle vainlie he to Love didde calle, Ye blinde Godde holp bym notte atte alle, To Bishop Valentine thenne hies Ye Youthe, ye Damosel likewyse, Finde each ’gan tell bys tayle of gricfe. Each sayd ye other was ye thiefe. “‘Zounds!’’ cried ye Sainte, “‘ this brawle must cease. Tl binde ye bothe to keepe ye peace.’”’ Whereat ye twain in nowyse loath, “Pray then wyth one bond binde us bothe.” Loude laughed ye Sainte, ‘* Perdi! done!” Find made ye Youthe and Mayden one. Tis Lady, anent this suit of mine In search of precedents, L waded ‘Through ancient lore, aud found this fine Old Judgment, ina parchment faded. If you will ponde Our Judge, and—compromise, as they did. Oliver Herford. ODD : Old man,I really believe you have stopped your + worrying. What brought about the change? Topp (cheerfully); My troubles are more real than they used to be. ] IFE is a school, with board and lodging extra. 4 Z Oat Peace. are now advised they will be, the festiv: incident to the entertainment of Lord Roberts by the Ancient aud Honorable Artillery of Boston have been pro- longed sufficiently to enable these fine troops to wear all, or nearly all, their different uniforms, bonds of amity are likely to be cemented. it is the demonstration of our preparedness for war that makes for peace. Minding our own business is obsolete. “JAIRST MODERN PLAYWRIGHT : Aren't you always nervous on the first night ? Secoxp Movern PLaywricut: Never ! ful where I get my ideas. I am too care- comicbooks.com