Life, 1908-10-08 · page 5 of 24
Life — October 8, 1908 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes **William Jennings Bryan**, the three-time presidential candidate (1896, 1900, 1908). The title "Bryanhilde" combines his name with Wagner's operatic Valkyrie, mocking his grandiose political ambitions. The illustration shows classical and mythological figures observing Bryan's awakening, while the poem "The Rhine Maidens' Warning" critiques his jingoistic imperialism. The verses mock Bryan's supporters who seek military glory and territorial expansion ("conquer where our right has been denied"), warning that such pride leads to ruin. The satire targets Bryan's contradictions: while appearing to champion humble workers, his political movement embraced aggressive American expansionism and imperial ambitions—betraying progressive ideals for nationalistic bluster.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Glory That Was Rome's WATCH them through the window of the car— Dark men from Sicily— And wonder sometimes what their feel- ings are As wearily they turn to look at me. They who have broken ties and trav- cled far To serve with pick and wrench and bar, What hopes have they? their dreams at might? With hardened hands they labor through the day, Munching their crusts at noon—old men ere they Have known the joy that claims as its right! Naples, Rome and spade and What are youth THE AWAKENING OF BRYANHILDE THE RUINE MAIDENS’ WARNING Dark-eyed descendants of a race that dared To rule the world! Czsar’s blood Flows in the veins of him whose arms are bared As with his sledge he deals the telling thud. And he that gives them orders, glib of tongue, May be from some despised barbarian sprung. How would their proud forefathers have been bowed In deepest shame had they foreseen the fate That was for these who humbly bear the weight Of servitude, proud! Perhaps some forgetting to be I watch them through the window of the car, And wonder why we boldly flaunt our pride; We hoist our flag and send our legions far To conquer where our right has been denied ; We tell the are, We vaunt the dazzling brightness of our star, And war among ourselves and heed- lessly Forget that pride is briefer yet— We take the course that Rome took and forget That they are blindest who refuse to see. S. E. Kiser. world how glorious we brief—might comicbooks.com