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