The Complete Poems Of Paul Laurence Dunbar. Paul Laurence Dunbar

fortunes of unsounded seas.

      O noblest of Italia’s sons, thy bark

      Went not alone into that shrouding night!

      O dauntless darer of the rayless dark,

      The world sailed with thee to eternal light!

      The deer-haunts that with game were crowded then

      To-day are tilled and cultivated lands;

      The schoolhouse tow’rs where Bruin had his den,

      And where the wigwam stood the chapel stands;

      The place that nurtured men of savage mien

      Now teems with men of Nature’s noblest types;

      Where moved the forest-foliage banner green,

      Now flutters in the breeze the stars and stripes!

      A BORDER BALLAD

      Oh, I have n’t got long to live, for we all

      Die soon, e’en those who live longest;

      And the poorest and weakest are taking their chance

      Along with the richest and strongest.

      So it’s heigho for a glass and a song,

      And a bright eye over the table,

      And a dog for the hunt when the game is flush,

      And the pick of a gentleman’s stable.

      There is Dimmock o’ Dune, he was here yester-night,

      But he ‘s rotting to-day on Glen Arragh;

      ‘Twas the hand o’ MacPherson that gave him the blow,

      And the vultures shall feast on his marrow.

      But it’s heigho for a brave old song

      And a glass while we are able;

      Here ‘s a health to death and another cup

      To the bright eye over the table.

      I can show a broad back and a jolly deep chest,

      But who argues now on appearance?

      A blow or a thrust or a stumble at best

      May send me to-day to my clearance.

      Then it’s heigho for the things I love,

      My mother ‘ll be soon wearing sable,

      But give me my horse and my dog and my glass,

      And a bright eye over the table.

      AN EASY-GOIN’ FELLER

      Ther’ ain’t no use in all this strife,

      An’ hurryin’, pell-mell, right thro’ life.

      I don’t believe in goin’ too fast

      To see what kind o’ road you ‘ve passed.

      It ain’t no mortal kind o’ good,

      ‘N’ I would n’t hurry ef I could.

      I like to jest go joggin’ ‘long,

      To limber up my soul with song;

      To stop awhile ‘n’ chat the men,

      ‘N’ drink some cider now an’ then.

      Do’ want no boss a-standin’ by

      To see me work; I allus try

      To do my dooty right straight up,

      An’ earn what fills my plate an’ cup.

      An’ ez fur boss, I ‘ll be my own,

      I like to jest be let alone;

      To plough my strip an’ tend my bees,

      An’ do jest like I doggoned please.

      My head’s all right, an’ my heart’s meller,

      But I ‘m a easy-goin’ feller.

      A NEGRO LOVE SONG

      Seen my lady home las’ night,

      Jump back, honey, jump back.

      Hel’ huh han’ an’ sque’z it tight,

      Jump back, honey, jump back.

      Hyeahd huh sigh a little sigh,

      Seen a light gleam f’om huh eye,

      An’ a smile go flittin’ by—

      Jump back, honey, jump back.

      Hyeahd de win’ blow thoo de pine,

      Jump back, honey, jump back.

      Mockin’-bird was singin’ fine,

      Jump back, honey, jump back.

      An’ my hea’t was beatin’ so,

      When I reached my lady’s do’,

      Dat I could n’t ba’ to go—

      Jump back, honey, jump back.

      Put my ahm aroun’ huh wais’,

      Jump back, honey, jump back.

      Raised huh lips an’ took a tase,

      Jump back, honey, jump back.

      Love me, honey, love me true?

      Love me well ez I love you?

      An’ she answe’d, “’Cose I do”—

      Jump back, honey, jump back.

      THE DILETTANTE: A MODERN TYPE

      He scribbles some in prose and verse,

      And now and then he prints it;

      He paints a little,—gathers some

      Of Nature’s gold and mints it.

      He plays a little, sings a song,

      Acts tragic roles, or funny;

      He does, because his love is strong,

      –

      But not, oh, not for money!

      He studies almost everything

      From social art to science;

      A thirsty mind, a flowing spring,

      Demand and swift compliance.

      He looms above the sordid crowd—

      At least through friendly lenses;

      While his mamma looks pleased and proud,

      And kindly pays expenses.