Love's Sacrifice

When I asked my dear Edwin to shave

I'd never a thought of denial;

He'd been such an absolute slave,

I put his devotion on trial.

But his eye threw a sinister dart,

His features grew dogged and grave ;

Still I hardly expected to part

When I asked him to shave.

He refused, and seemed eager to jest,

Till he saw my determined expression.

A moustache, he said, suited him best,

And helped in his budding profession.

" What! Like yours" I replied with a sneer.

He smiled when my temper grew hot,

And when I indulged in a tear

He said, " Certainly not."

'Twas enough, and I said what I felt,

Indignant and adamant-hearted,

On some of his drawbacks I dwelt

He took up his hat and departed.

I waited and waited in vain.

Disconsolate, haggard and white,

I wrestled each day with my pain

Till Saturday night.

Then I wrote and confessed I was wrong,

My hand with emotion was shaking,

I prayed him to come before long

To the heart that was his and was breaking.

Three terrible hours did I wait ;

He came and my reason was saved.

Then I saw what had made him so late

My Edwin had shaved.