Life, 1913-12-18 · page 8 of 40
Life — December 18, 1913 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three distinct pieces: 1. **"A Carol of Waits"** - A Christmas poem celebrating traditional holiday imagery (Yule logs, mistletoe, caroling). It's sentimental Victorian-era festive content. 2. **"A Wish"** - A brief satirical poem mocking superstition, expressing skepticism about mystic signs while humorously wishing for a practical sign on letterboxes reading "Post No Bills"—likely referencing unwanted poster advertisements. 3. **Two illustrations** - The sketches show Santa Claus and a domestic Christmas scene. The caption below reads "AS CHRISTMAS DRAWS NEAR 'MOTHER, CAN I HELP YOU WITH THE DISHES?'"—satirizing children's sudden willingness to help at holiday time, suggesting ulterior motives (likely wanting gifts). The page blends genuine holiday sentiment with gentle social satire about commercialism and family dynamics.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ON THE TRAIL OF THE PURITANS A Carol W'rke. noble Lords and Ladyes, free! Out by your Gate we lift oure Glee. While from the Belfrie sounds the Chime, Hark to oure Lay of Christmasse Time! Yule, Yule, Yule! The merric Dayes of Yule! Ho! Father Christmasse, Christmasse, ho! Come, as the hither-thither Winds do blow; Come through the Snowdrift white as Wool, Come with the Benison of bothe Hands full! Yule, Yule, Yule! Old Ties are dear for Yule is here. Yule, Yule, Yule! The merrie Dayes of Yule! Up with the Boughe of Berries red! Up with the Mistletoe, o’erhead! Up! lither Ladds, with rousing Din Drag ye the rumbling Yule Log in! Yule, Yule, Yule! The merrie Dayes of Yule! Come, Father Christmasse, Christ- masse, come! of Waits All, save the Melodie of Mirthe be dumb! Hail to oure King that laughs at Pride, Hail to the Jollitie of Christmasse Tide! Yule, Yule, Yule! Mine eyes do spye a Christmasse Pye! Yule, Yule, Yule! The merrie Dayes of Yule! Nowe let the sportive Troop advance! Nowe let the merrie Maskers dance! Nowe let the Greatest by the Least Sit at the Boarde of Christmasse Feast! Yule, Yule, Yule! The merrie Dayes of Yule! Olde Father Christmasse, Christmasse olde, Thine are the Treasuries of Joye un- told; . Come with a Handclasp, come with Mirthe, Come to the Psalmodie of “ Peace on Earthe!” Yule, Yule, Yule! Good Health to thee and Wealth to thee! Yule, Yule, Yule! The merrie Dayes of Yule! Arthur Guiterman. A Wish HAVE no faith in, mystic signs As harbingers of good or ills; But one sign I would like to see On letter-boxes: Post No Bills. “SOMETHING FOR NOTHING” MAxiuum sentence—One of Henry James's. AS CHRISTMAS DRAWS NEAR “ MOTHER, CAN I HELP YOU WITH THE pIsHEs?" comicbooks.com