The morning times., 1897-01-31
Two Paul Dunbar Poems

Paul Lawrence Dunbar is said 10 be
going abroad, where he will give readings
from his own poems. He hasbeen in Wash
ington twice for this purpose, and was very
successful, especially in dialect reading,
TO which he brings Il peculiar aptitude
Some of the INTEREST," in his work UndOubted-
ly arises from the circumstance of his
race. for he is a negro, without any white
blood in him; and Just this sort of work
has not before been done 10y any of his
people.
Mr Dunbar is twenty-sever years old,
snd has been known to the public three
or four years, his first volume of verse,
Majors aud Minors" being published
about two years ago. During tine holiday
season of 'S6 Lyrics OF LowIy Life
came out and had a good deal of attention.
Some of the poems had appeared in the Cen
tury, and two or three of his best have
not yet been published any W here. a friend
OF his, and OF mine, says;
He was always stringing wordstOgether,
making phrases, from the time he began
to talk He wrote mis- first poem at the
age of twelve. Having TO speak a piece in
school, and not being able to find anything
that was Just what he wanted, he went 70
work ard wrote one. 1t suited him, and
it also seemed to suit everybody else"
One or ms most quoted things, which Is
also one uf his best, is the little two-verse
poem, Life
A crust OF bread and q corner to sleep in,
4 minute 10 smile and al hour TO Weep in,
4 pint OF Joy TO peck of trouble,
And never laugh but the moGRs come
double,
\ crust and a corner that love makes pre-
ciOus,
With the smile to warm and the tears to
refresh us.
And jov seems sWeeter when cares come
after,
And a IL oan is the finest of foils for
laughter,
And that is life!
There are half dozen other styles OF
verse in the Lyrics ''-HooSier verse, y
bit of Scotch dialect. one or two satirical
reflections on humankind, and some bal
lads and madrigals, and several negro dia-
Iect poems, which found instant apprecia-
ton One of these, "a Negro Love Song"
is perhaps the most complete contrast 60
the lit of philosophy quoted above. To do
it justice, though, one really ought to hear
the author read it.
Seen m, - ~ nome las night,
Jump back, honey. jump back
Hell hlh nan an sque'Z lt tight,
Jump back, honey. jump back
Hyeahti her sigh a little sigh,
Seen light sIeam f'om hun eye,
An a smile go flittIn' by
jump pacA, 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 hsa'6 was beatin' so,
When l reached my Eady's do,
Dat | couldn't ba to go
Jump back, honey, jump back.
Put my ahm arouu' huh wdiS',
Jump back, honey, jump back.
Raised han lips an took a tdse,
Jump back, honey, jump back.
Love me. honey. love me true?
Love me well ez love you?
An she aHSwe'd, 'CoSe do
Jump back, honey. jump back.
Mr. Dunbar says of his own work. when
he is asked about it, that he doesn't know
whether it viii ever bring him much money,
or any grand success. but that the pleasure
OF creation is worth IL great deal Some
OF his friends accuse him Of having too
HtJle Self-esteefu, but perhaps. that is not
a bad fault in a poet At any rate, he
has won the friendship of William Dean
| HowellS HIS book is making money, and
he has been very Thoroughly written up y