Life, 1906-07-12 · page 17 of 24
Life — July 12, 1906 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents a satirical poem by Wallace Irwin questioning whether historical pirates—Morgan, Genghis Khan, and "Roger the Rover"—ever became philanthropists or reformers. The accompanying illustrations depict these figures in various scenes. **The satire's point**: Irwin sardonically suggests that famous criminals and conquerors could not have genuinely transformed into respectable benefactors. Instead, he implies that wealthy industrialists and businessmen of his own era, who claim philanthropy and art patronage, are essentially modern-day "pirates" engaging in legalized plunder. **The joke**: The final stanza reveals the sting—modern "philanthropists" enter the game precisely *because* legal piracy laws exist, suggesting their philanthropy is merely a respectable veneer for continued exploitation rather than genuine moral reform. This critiques Gilded Age robber barons using charitable donations to whitewash their reputations and ill-gotten wealth.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Ethics of Piracy WONDER if Morgan the Pirate, When plunder had glutted his heart, Gave part of the junk from the ships he had sunk To help some Museum of Art; If he gave up the role of “collector of toll” And became a Collector of Art? I wonder if Genghis the Butcher, When he'd trampled down nations like grass, Retired with his share, when he'd lost all his hair, And started a Sunday-school If he turned his past used half his plunder In running a Sunday-school class? I wonder if Roger the Rover, When millions in looting he made, Built libraries grand on the jolly mainland To honor Success and “free trade If he founded a college of nautical knowledge Where Pirates could study their trade? I wonder, I wonder, I wonder, If Pirates were ever the same, Ever trying to lend a respectable trend ‘To the jaunty old buccaneer game; Or is it because of our Piracy Laws That philanthropists enter the game ? Wallace Irwin. comicbooks.com