Puck, 1877-07-18 · page 8 of 16
Puck — July 18, 1877 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents a poem titled "The Cucumber" with accompanying illustration. The text contrasts the cucumber's peaceful, dormant summer nature with human ambition and exhaustion. The poem satirizes how people of prominence lose status through overexertion—their vigor becomes "tiresome and tame," causing them to fade from public attention. The dramatic illustration depicts what appears to be a cave or dark interior with figures on the right observing something in the shadows, while a swimming figure is visible in water (upper left). The imagery suggests descent or obscurity. The satire likely critiques prominent public figures who overextend themselves and consequently lose influence, using the humble cucumber's restful nature as ironic contrast to human striving. The specific individuals referenced are unclear without additional context.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
es CuUcuom, There's a time when the summer is hot, In this period of When ambition and energy slumber, ConK.ine tur When exertion and action are not— Orrenporrer his A time that its title has got Even the great Pom From the placid and peaceful cucumber. Lies untroubled When Glory grows yey and Fame And Nast, the Lifts her laurels her hot brow to mop off, Drops his rathemy When sport becomes tiresome and tame, McVeagh murmusi And people of note and of name While Ben no s In oblivious drowsiness drop off. In lengthy epis comicbooks.com