Life, 1921-11-10 · page 6 of 34
Life — November 10, 1921 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents a poem by Richard Le Gallienne celebrating the "Marshal of France" as a heroic figure who "saved the world in saving France." The verses emphasize martial glory and romance, positioning this military leader as essential to European civilization. The illustration depicts a well-dressed man with two women on a busy urban street with automobiles and buildings—a modern city scene. The dialogue below references lunch plans and suggests the man is treating the situation casually ("old thing"). The satire appears to contrast the poem's glorification of martial heroism with the illustration's depiction of contemporary leisure and flirtation, suggesting irony about how modern society trivializes or romanticizes military figures. The specific "Marshal" referenced remains unclear without additional historical context.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The World’s Musqueteer (Ballade &@ double refrain) ARSHAL OF FRANCE, yet still the Musqueteer, Comrade-at-arms, on your bronzed cheek we press The soldier’s kiss, and drop the soldier’s tear; Brother by brother fought we in the stress Of the locked steel, all the wild work that fell For our reluctant doing; we that stormed hell, And smote it down together, in the sun Stand here once more, with all our fighting done, Garlands upon our helmets, sword and lance Quiet with laurel, sharing the peace they won— Soldier that saved the world in saving France. Soldier that saved the world in saving France— France that was Europe’s dawn when light was none; Clear eyes that with eternal vigilance Pierce through the webs in nether darkness spun; Soul of man’s soul, his sentinel upon The ramparts of the world. Ah! France, ‘twas well This soldier with the sword of Gabriel Was yours and ours in all that dire duresse, This soldier, gentle as a child, that here Stands shy and smiling ‘mid a world’s caress— Marshal of France, yet still the Musqueteer. Marshal of France, yet still the Musqueteer, True knight, and succourer of the world’s distress, His might and skill we laurel, but more dear Our soldier for that “parfit gentlenesse” That even in heroic hearts doth dwell, That soul as tranquil as a vesper bell, That glory in him that would glory shun, Those kindly eyes alive with Gascon fun, D’Artagnan’s brother: still the old romance Runs in the blood, thank God! and still shall run— Soldier that saved the world in saving France. Envor Soldier that saved the world in saving France, Foch, to America’s deep heart how near! Betwixt us twain shall never come mischance; Warrior that, fought that War might disappear: Far and forever far the unborn year That turns the plough-share back into the spear! But must it come—then Foch shall lead the dance, Marshal of France, yet still the Musqueteer. Richard Le Gallienne. The Flapper: Of course ll have lunch with you, old thing. That’s an awfully good place .across the street. The Nut: It looks like a fearfully wide street. Let’s take a taxi. comicbooks.com