Horatio

Read 'Horatio' by 'Robert William Service' and provide your summary and literary analysis in the comments section below.

Horatio by Robert William Service

 His portrait hung upon the wall.
 Oh how at us he used to stare.
Each Sunday when I made my call! --
 And when one day it wasn't there,
Quite quick I seemed to understand
 The light was green to hold her hand.

Her eyes were amorously lit;
 I knew she wouldn't mind at all.
Yet what I did was sit and sit
 Seeing that blankness on the wall . . .
Horatio had a gentle face,--
 How would my mug look in his place?

That oblong of wall-paper wan!
 And while she prattled prettily
I sensed the red light going on,
 So I refused a cup of tea,
And took my gold-topped cane and hat--
 My going seemed to leave her flat.

Horatio was a decent guy,
 And when she ravished from her heart
A damsite better man than I,
 She seemed to me,--well, just a tart:
Her lack of tact I can't explain.
 His picture,--is it hung again?

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