Life, 1917-05-31 · page 7 of 38
Life — May 31, 1917 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents a patriotic poem by Clinton Scollard titled "Have You Done Your Bit?" addressing young American men to contribute to the war effort—likely World War I based on references to historical patriotic acts (Lexington, Yorktown, Patrick Henry). The two illustrations contrast patriotic duty with failure: **Left cartoon**: "As It Ought to Be—and Isn't" shows an automobile full of citizens, suggesting civic participation and energy moving forward. **Right cartoon**: "The Greased Pole" depicts a figure labeled "Failure" stuck on a slippery pole, unable to reach the Liberty torch above—symbolizing how lack of patriotic commitment prevents reaching national ideals. The satire criticizes Americans who don't actively support the national cause, portraying inaction as shameful failure.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Have You Done Your Bit? ONS of Freedom, freedom-lovers in our land where all are free, Where upon the-hill horizons beacon-fires of Liberty By the hands of hardy yeomen in the years of old were lit, Answer to the Mother’s summons: Have you, have you “done your bit"? Have you pledged your bone and sinew, have you pledged your hearts to show In this darkling hour of danger the allegiance that you owe? ‘ Or inert, inept, unheeding, do you by your hearthstones sit? Rouse, and let us hear your answer !—Have you, have you “done your bit"? Are the Past’s proud days forgotten, days when men were men indeed, And the creed of Faith and Honor triumphed o'er the dreams of Greed; When the words of Patrick Henry seemed to each as Holy Writ, And from Lexington to Yorktown every patriot “did his bit”? 'Tis a glory but to name them,—how they burn in memory, Those that with “Old Hickory” battled, or with Lawrence sailed the sea, Down to those that dared with Dewey, and who neither quailed nor quit, But, with fearlessness undaunted, nobly, nobly “did their bit”! Sons of Freedom, freedom-lovers, whatsoe’er your strain of birth, Native sons or sons adopted from the utmost ends of earth, Hark, America, your Mother, eyes with righteous justice lit, To defend her, to befriend her, bids you rise and “do your bit”! . Clinton Scollard. AS IT OUGHT To BE— AND ISN'T comicbooks.com