Life, 1927-03-17 · page 11 of 43
Life — March 17, 1927 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains literary excerpts and illustrations rather than political satire. The main content features: **"It Seems There Were Once Two Irishmen..."** — a sketch by Henry William Hanemann depicting Irish folklore or mythology (references to gods like Mowrah Nawut and Mildeen). **Theatrical content** — a scene from what appears to be a stage play involving characters named Cathleen, Nora, and Moira in a cottage kitchen, with dialogue about spinning and the sea. **"Entering the War Zone"** — a humorous exchange between a timid passenger and porter about using the ship's washroom during wartime travel, suggesting WWI-era anxiety about safety. **Additional literary pieces** by Oscar Wilde, Donn Byrne, and others complete the page. The satire targets everyday wartime anxieties and Irish cultural stereotypes through gentle humor rather than sharp political critique.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Life “Tt Seems There Were Once Two Irishmen...” By Henry William Hanemann Lord Dunsany PON an evening of the forgotten years the gods were seated upon Mowralh Nawut above Mlideen holding idle converse. There was Blypp, the god of This, and Mwymm, the god of That; Rawban, the god of Indigestion, and Entering the War Zone Timid Passenger: WHEN WE GET TO HERRIN, ILLINOIS, 1 WANT YOU TO WAKE } Porter: DOES YOU GET OFF THERE, sin? Timid Passenger: No, 1 WANT you TO LOCK ME IN THE WasiRoom! Poon, who makes collar buttons roll un- der bureaus, Oog, Boog, and Dhowl and “Red” Schnitzhauser, who was a Mackay on his mother’s side. And over in one corner was a mean little god called Zimm to whom all Hang- nails are sacred. For twice the span of seven thousand cycles he had been await- ing the chance to say something and was whimpering with eagerness. SLIT \ N “Well,” said Zimm, during a lull in the conversation, “it seems there was once two Irishmen..." A terrible clap of thunder shook the very foundations of Mowrah which fell on top of Mlideen and that is why to this day the fox has a white tip to his tail, or brush, if you want to be technical about it. oe # Lady Gregory, J. M. Synge, W. B. Yeats and John McCor- mack A cottage kitchen. a young girl, is spinning; Nora, another young girl, is putting the finishing touches on a harp. Nora: Whisht! "Tis herself! (CatuLceen stops spinning. Moira, an old woman, ente Moma: Belike 'tis belike belike is it? Caturen (who is still dizzy from spinning): Where? Moma: In th’ sea — th’ black, black sea. Where else? (A young priest enters. He throzs a battered, soggy hat on the table.) Moira (clutching at her breast): Michael! (The priest lays a dripping dudeen along- side of the hat.) CatuLeen (clutching at her breast): Patrick! Tue Priest: ‘Tis the black, black sea! Heaven send you strength, sisters. I'll be back. (Ile goes out.) Tue Turner Women (keen- ing in unison): It seems there once two Irishmen... wouch! wouch! wouch ! An E Voice (which comes from practically no- where): So — God bless ye d kape ye — Mothah Ma- chreeeeee. Curtain. “ee # Oscar Wilde “It seems there were once two Irishmen —I need hardly mention the other one.” “2 # was Donn Byrne Tell me, does the sun still shine on the lolly willows of Ballymornach? Do the dark-haired lasses still walk home in the starlight from the jaunting carts of (Continued on page 36) Deaf Old Lady: 1u0W DELIGHTFUL! A LocuST SINGING ON BRoADWay! WHO WOULD HAVE tHovoeut it! comicbooks.com