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.”