Life, 1905-12-09 · page 5 of 26
Life — December 9, 1905 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical cartoon depicts two monarchs sitting on unstable thrones, illustrating political instability in early 20th-century Europe. The page includes a poem by Charles Dana Gibson and verses by Florence Earle Coates addressing themes of ambition, spiritual growth, and the transience of power. The cartoon's title "Tottering Thrones" and the shaky throne imagery suggest commentary on European royalty facing challenges—likely referencing pre-World War I political turbulence or revolutionary threats. The figures appear to represent European monarchs, though specific identities aren't clear from the image alone. The satirical point critiques how rulers pursue material gain and worldly acclaim rather than spiritual development, warning that thrones built on shallow foundations inevitably collapse. The poetry reinforces this moral lesson about ambition versus noble purpose.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Charles Dana Gibson. “The utmost for the hig! F Watts, VE! Thou goest from Apart from us to dwe Through sacrifice to find thyself ; Ave !—but not farewell ! Thou hast dreamed a dream of Leisure; Thou hast heard her call thy name,— The handmaid of enduring Art, Who feeds the quenchless flame,— And after the Ideal ‘Thou wistfully would’st fare, Before whose shrine ‘tis blest to wait,— Though ne'er to enter there ! TOTTERING THRONES. AN OFF VRAR FOR CZARS, Go forth,—for thou hast willed it,— Untrammeled as the sea : To find new forms of loveliness, forth! Lo, thou art free To hope, to learn, to listen, To be breathed upon, inspired, ‘To wait on the unhasting gods, With soul intent, untired ; Careless of gain or profit, Of markets, or applause, To yield thy heart to Nature's heart, To learn her dearer laws ; ‘To gaze beyond the present,— From the fleeting view of things, To lift the vision, up and up; To feel the growth of wings! Through love and self-denial, To gain at last the goal That hidden from the vulgar gaze Beckons the purer soul ; Naught asking of the present, Content to strive and strive,— Knowing when lesser gods depart, Then, then, the gods arrive ! » oe Ave! Thou goest from us, Apart from us to dwell ; Through sacrifice to find thyself ! Ave !—but not farewell ! Florence Earle Coates, comicbooks.com