Life, 1916-06-22 · page 17 of 48
Life — June 22, 1916 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two distinct elements: **Upper section:** A satirical cartoon titled "Showing that Polo is an Ancient Game" depicts animals (likely dogs or similar creatures) playing polo in a chaotic scene, suggesting polo's origins predate human civilization—a humorous anachronism. **Lower section:** A sentimental poem titled "The White House" by an unknown author appeals to the White House to embody purity, honesty, and peaceful diplomacy. It's a patriotic plea for the institution to maintain moral standards and mediate international conflicts with temperance and righteousness. **Adjacent illustration:** A domestic scene shows an engaged couple discussing their future cottage and wedding gifts—a conventional romantic narrative contrasting sharply with the political idealism above. The juxtaposition appears ironic: while the poem earnestly beseeches the White House for moral leadership, the couple's mundane domestic fantasy sits beside it, suggesting perhaps the gap between national ideals and personal concerns, though the exact satirical intent remains unclear without additional context.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SHOWING THAT POLO JS AN ANCIENT GAME The White House No! Be your purity arrayed With power to make its rule obeyed; WEY white, 0 White House? And may your peace uphold the right, 8 That your creed» Because so mighty for a fight! Be purity in word and deed; Amos R. Wells. That all the nations of the earth May trust your simple, honest wort ‘That pride may have no entrance here, Nor greed nor selfishness appear, And low ambition find no place In this abode of simple grace. Why white, O White House? That your peace May flourish and may never cease; That, though the parties shout and fight, Here may be calm and steady light; That, though all nations madly clash, Here may a spirit never rash, A temperate and friendly mind, Deal righteously with all mankind. Why white, O White House? Make it clear He: JUST THINK, DARLING! ONLY ONE MORE DAY AND "Tis not that white betokens fear— WE WILL BE ALONE LIKE THIS ALL THE TIME IN OUR OWN Thi : ace cae : LITTLE COTTAGE. White fiag, the sign of dire distress, She: YkS, HAROLD DEAR, AND THINK OF ALL THE LOVELY White feather, coward worthlessness! WEDDING PRESENTS WE HAVE, 2 comicbooks.com