Life, 1920-09-16 · page 7 of 44
Life — September 16, 1920 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains literary content and illustration rather than political satire. The top section reproduces "A Ouijagram from O. Khayyam"—verses attributed to Omar Khayyam (the medieval Persian poet) combined with commentary by John Kendrick Bangs. The poem expresses contentment with simple pleasures (wine, companionship) despite life's hardships, while mocking Prohibition and Russian communist upheaval ("No Bolshevik uprears his shaggy poll"). The lower illustration titled "At the Reading of the Nine-Year-Old" depicts two adults observing a child's precocious behavior, with a caption about the child's "back to the farm" notion. This appears to be humorous commentary on childhood pretension rather than political satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A Ouijagram from O. Khayyam HY should I moan the prices of the day, And vex my mind with caviling dismay O'er rising costs, when down in Hades deep There are no bills of any kind to pay? My days below, despite the climate drear, Are full of joyousness and hearty cheer. I have my Vine, my trusty Jug and Her, And not a Prohibition shouter near. No Bolshevik uprears his shaggy poll My daily ways in madness to control No Autocrat of Riot Violence Can work his will red-handed with my Soul, “Jub MUST 'UV HEARD ABOUT THAT * BACK TO THE FARM" NOTION Eternity is long, of years o’erfull We know no skies of blue ineffable, Yet back on Earth I would not choose to be With all the Spoil Sports there to make life dull, But dwell content, departed Shades amid, From Wards and Pecksniff Statesmen safely hid, Surrounded by the best of And hy no Laws to be Myself forbid! John Kendrick Rangs o»mpany, At the Reading of the Nine- Year-Old IRST SPECTATOR: such an infant phenomenon? What is it, [| wonder, that makes Srconp Spectator: It's nothing but a premature genius for horing everyhody. ANYHOW, DUM MEGP H HAIN'T GUT HIS BACK PLUM BIGHT SMACK AGIN IT” comicbooks.com