Life, 1903-11-12 · page 13 of 20
Life — November 12, 1903 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a satirical poem by Wallace Irwin mocking **Abdul Hamid II**, Ottoman Sultan (r. 1876-1909). The accompanying illustration depicts him elevated above suffering subjects and world powers. The satire targets Hamid's notorious brutality, particularly the Armenian massacres ("you scourge the Armenian"), and his financial corruption ("Poorer than Lazarus, rich as Aladdin"). References to "widows to stock your hareem" allude to his harem practices. The poem ironically praises his ability to survive political pressure from European powers ("the Nations partition you") while maintaining his throne through ruthlessness and cunning. Phrases like "fanatical," "malice defies," and "cutting and slashing" emphasize his despotism. The backhanded "long life to you" ending is deeply sarcastic—Life magazine presents Hamid as a surviving problem Europe cannot remove, mocking both his brutality and the West's inability to intervene effectively.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
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