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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE BARBER ABROAD by ROWLAND EYLES EGERTON-WARBURTON

First Line: SAID CRIMP THE HAIR-DRESSER, WHEN HE
Last Line: HIS HANKERING FOR GREECE!
Subject(s): BARBERS; TRAVEL; JOURNEYS; TRIPS;

I.
SAID @3Crimp@1 the hair-dresser, when he
New 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 @3Crimp,@1 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 @3coupée@1 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 @3Crimp@1 perplex'd
Where he his chin should lather next;
As when by blunted razor vex'd,
The doubt disturb'd his peace.
The barber might, if march he stole
On Russia, reinstate the Pole;
But how could hair-dresser control
His hankering for Greece!



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