Life — November 12, 1903 — page 13: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Abdul Hamid: An Appreciation, “V7 IRTCOUS monarch and cautious Sa Heir of Mohammed and Balance of Power, Poorer than Lazarus, rich as Aladdin, Satan's left member and Heaven's right bower, What though the pres What though the Nations ext Let the true Koran extol you for ¢ Abdul the Merciful, Hamid the V What though we're blocked by What though we're sho Sceptres are hocked by Yet there's se In your obscenity, Abdul the Merciful, Haid the Wise! Guided by Heaven you scourge the Armenian (When you need widows to stock your hareem), Smoother your work than Mafia or Fenian, Swifter your plans than a Borgia’s dre You area problem that calls for unraveling, Dense as the Sphinx—and as permanent too— Enrope seems eager to set you a-traveling— Allah il allah, but what ean she do? Vain is their phosphorus med at the Bosphorus, 11 your mien prosperous malice defies, And your solemnity, Cheating indemnity, Beggars comparison, Hamid the Wise! Cutting and slashing’s an ancient tradition you Learned from your ancestors hundred or more; Still you may see, when the Nations partition you, Cutting and slashing go on as of yore. Allah is great, and the Powers still juggle you, Tilting your throne on the balance they prize— Better breathe carefully lest in the struggle you Ruin your equipoise, Hamid the Wise! King problematical, Yet operat That you're fanatical does not surprise ; What we'd all care to do None of us dare to do, So here's long life to you, Hamid the Wise! Wallace Irwin, comicbooks.com