Classic Poem

Behind the scenes the kings and queens
Are merely mortals; Juliet leans,
A tired girl, against the screens,
Behind the scenes.

The final act is on, and lo!
The loving heart of Romeo
Must crack with misery and woe;
The noble Paris, too, shall die,

And tears spring up in every eye;
Then exit all, while rogue and saint
Are scrubbing off the mask of paint,
Behind the scenes.