Life, 1903-08-06 · page 21 of 32
Life — August 6, 1903 — page 21: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page features a romantic poem rather than political satire. The illustration shows a couple in an intimate moment—a man kneeling beside a woman on a couch or bed, rendered in soft charcoal. The "Ballad of True Love" by Carolyn Wells celebrates romantic love's culmination in peaceful domesticity. The poem progresses from Cupid's playful enchantments through earnest courtship to the speaker's ultimate realization that true love's greatest gift is **peace**—not passion or excitement, but calm companionship. This reflects early 20th-century sentimental literature valorizing marriage as life's highest achievement. The repeated refrain "The dearest gift of Love is Peace" emphasizes stability and contentment over romantic fireworks, appealing to Life's middle-class readership. The tone is sincere rather than satirical, positioning enduring marital peace as the ultimate romantic ideal.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Copyright, 1903, by Lise Pudtiehing Co. Mt Life sings in a joyous strain When Cupid holds our hearts in fee ; The days such happiness contai The nights bring merry reve Oar souls are tuned to hi Our hearts from joy Yet this one truth comes home to me, The dearest gift of Love is Peace. Ballade of True Love. roguish smiles enchain, y voices chin ein glee, fy: ch the fairest seems to be. But one I seek all earnestly, As Jason sought the Golden Fleece, Whose heart would fain agree with The dearest gift of Love is 135 My fond quest has not beenin vain, Shyly she listened to my plea ; And Cupid, peeping at us twain, Smiled as I knelt on bended knee. From gay enchantments now I’m free, I feel their trifling charms decrease, From all their blandishments I flee, The dearest gift of Love is Peace. L'exvot Sweetheart, we've done with coquetry, With coy flirtation and capri All these are past,—and now we see The dearest gift of Love is Peace. Carolyn Wells, comicbooks.com