“The Martyrs of Civilization. — “To the Lions”; A Sketch in Trafalgar Square” from the 1887 “Fun”

The Martyrs of Civilization. — “To the Lions”

John Gordon Thomson (1841-1911), artist

The Dalziel Brothers, engravers

“A Sketch in Trafalgar Square”

Fun (26 October 1887): 177.

Courtesy of the Suzy Covey Comic Book Collection in the George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida

See below for poem accompanying the cartoon

Click on image to enlarge it

[You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the University of Florida library and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite the Victorian Web in a print one. — George P. Landow]

The Martyrs of Civilization. — “To the Lions”

(See Cartoon.)

Time was when martyrs, clinging to their creed,
Braved death, and “To the lions!” the cry;
And martyrs even now there be indeed,
Who to the lions shrink—perchance to die.

But these of latter time are driven thus
By poverty, not persecution, there;
Nor are their lions fierce and ravenous,
But Landseer's lions in Trafalgar Square.

Night after right, crouch'd close beneath their feet,
Lie hungry, wretched creatures, pale and wan,
Sleeping; and the policeman on his beat
Can scarcely find the heart to say “Move on!”

While through the day some vainly linger still,
Unable for their bread to get them work,
Mingling with others, who, disposed to ill,
Trade on their woes, and honest labour shirk.

Go, kindly woman and well wishing man!
See what true worth misfortunes have destroyed;
Then turn to solving, if so be you can.
The burning problem of the Unemployed.

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Last modified 30 April 2016