Poems, Epigrams and Sonnets | ||
105
THE BARBER ABROAD.
I
Said Crimp the hair-dresser, when heNew life abroad resolv'd to see,
“Behind me I will leave my three
Apprentices to dye.
Keep sharp and bright the scissors here
Lest customers turn rusty, dear!”
Then, sponging from her cheek a tear,
He bade his wife “Good-bye.”
II
Thus Crimp, who, tir'd of cutting hair,Had sworn to cut the whole affair,
Set off to spend a month elsewhere,
Away from house and home, O.
He travell'd in the coupée straight
To Switzerland;—with wonder great
He saw the Jungfrau's powder'd pate,
And then brush'd on to Como!
III
Ah, sorely then was Crimp perplex'dWhere he his chin should lather next;
As when by blunted razor vex'd,
The doubt disturb'd his peace.
106
On Russia, reinstate the Pole;
But how could hair-dresser control
His hankering for Greece!
Poems, Epigrams and Sonnets | ||