Private Theatricals

A quite convincing axiom Is, 'Life is like a play'; For, turning back its pages some Few dog-eared years away, I find where I Committed my Love-tale--with brackets where to sigh. I feel an idle interest To read again the page; I enter, as a lover dressed, At twenty years of age, And play the part With throbbing heart, And all an actor's glowing art. And she who plays my Lady-love Excels!--Her loving glance Has power her audience to move-- I am her audience.-- Her acting tact, To tell the fact, 'Brings down the house' in every act. And often we defy the curse Of storms and thunder-showers, To meet together and rehearse This little play of ours-- I think, when she 'Makes love' to me, She kisses very naturally! . . . . . . Yes; it's convincing--rather-- That 'Life is like a play': I am playing 'Heavy Father' In a 'Screaming Farce' to-day, That so 'brings down The house,' I frown, And fain would 'ring the curtain down.'