Life, 1920-07-15 · page 25 of 40
Life — July 15, 1920 — page 25: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a romantic nautical poem illustrated with whimsical maritime imagery rather than political satire. The page depicts a sailing ship in stormy seas, accompanied by decorative illustrations of mermaids and sea creatures framing the text. The poem celebrates seafaring adventure, personifying the ship as a vessel driven homeward by wind and determination. Mermaids attempt to impede the journey ("block our way"), but the ship persists, driven by "Heaven's breath in the drumming sail." The artwork's classical style—with mermaids, mythological sea creatures, and ornamental borders—creates a fantastical tone appropriate to the romantic, adventure-themed verse. This appears to be literary content showcasing artistic illustration rather than satirical commentary. The signature "A.G." identifies the illustrator, though their full name isn't clear from this page alone.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Before the Wind “HARD-A-PORT!" and about she goes; “ Hard-a-lee!" and the great boom swings ; Over she heels till the keelson shows, Drenched in the spray that her forefoot flings Up she rides on the frothy crest, Down in the azure trough she plunges; Couched as a lance for her splendid quest, Out through the flurry her bowsprit lunges. “Stay!” call the mermaids all at play, Tossing their arms of alabaster, Heaping the waves to block our way; But the sea wind whispers, “ Faster! faster! ’ Blue, blue water, white, white foam Surging over the low lee-rail, Rounding the buoy she drives for home, Heaven's breath in the drumming sail. : ALG. comicbooks.com