At Play

Play that you are mother dear,     And play that papa is your beau;     Play that we sit in the corner here,     Just as we used to, long ago.     Playing so, we lovers two     Are just as happy as we can be,     And I'll say "I love you" to you,     And you say "I love you" to me!     "I love you" we both shall say,     All in earnest and all in play.     Or, play that you are that other one     That some time came, and went away;     And play that the light of years agone     Stole into my heart again to-day!     Playing that you are the one I knew     In the days that never again may be,     I'll say "I love you" to you,     And you say "I love you" to me!     I love you!" my heart shall say     To the ghost of the past come back to-day!     Or, play that you sought this nestling-place     For your own sweet self, with that dual guise     Of your pretty mother in your face     And the look of that other in your eyes!     So the dear old loves shall live anew     As I hold my darling on my knee,     And I'll say "I love you" to you,     And you say "I love you" to me!     Oh, many a strange, true thing we say     And do when we pretend to play!