The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-26
NEW hooks.
Three Volumes OF Verses.

NEW BOOKS.
Three Volumes OF Verses.
Paul Laurence Dunbar's Lyrics OF Sun
shine and Shadow Dodd, Mead d co.,
is characterized by the simplicity Of tech
nique, tenderness OF pathos and sincerity
Of sentiment which have ever distinguished
the authors poetical efforts. The book
Is mnde up Of verses of sentiment. songs
Ct childhood, lines of earnest and relig-
ious significance and love poems which,
despite the sincerity OF the authors inten-
ton and the real poetical excellence Of his
work, are often lacking In pure lyrical
quality, that last divine gift Of true poesy.
The verses upon which most sympathetic
interest oenters are naturally those written
in the dialect Of the authors people and ex-
pressing their simple elemental joys and sor-
rows. There is a pretty swinging melody
in one Of these dialect poems called MANDY
LOU.
Como away 10 dresmland town.
Mandy Lou. Mandy Lou.
Whaih do fruit IS bendin' down.
Des fer you.
Smooth your brow OF lovtn' brown
An my love will be It's crown
Como away 70 dresmin' town.
Mandy Lou.
OF the other and moro serious poems
Compensation stands out as significant.
Because I had loved too deeply.
Because had loved 80 long
God In His great compassion
Gave mo the rift OF song.
Because I have loved 90 vainiy
And sung with such faltering breath,
Tho Master In INFINITE mercy
Offers the boon of death.
Under the somewhat cryptic title Of
sWords for Musio-A Sympathetic Series, =
Mr.. William Wells Newell has collated set
OF verses which in a foreword he warns
tho reader were animated by kindred
Intentions" There is also key to the mean.
ing Of the verses, which Is fortunate. 1t
requires the imagination of poet to find
either intention significance or poetry
in lines like these In the 'Catbird.'
Tho sun shines. tho rain falls. the green ooughs
waver on high.
That way MARBLE the others. while mewl 60 l.
Tho series which was animated By the
same intention" was inspired by a variety
OF themes running the gamut from Danish
fairy ballads to Decoration Day in New
Rochelle-all fortunately labelled. The
first poem contains these lyrical lines:
Over the city
Orbeth tho sun.
Labor ariseth.
Day Is begun
The last poem sings Of
lamp know of q merclful ray,
II burn-th forever. BY night and by day.
Amidships there occurs a poem which
tells how
Far north the Wild rose bloometh in beauty wi,hou,
cease,
Her color and her odor refresh my heart with peace
All Of which goes to show what simple
and easy thing it is writing words for music
IL you only know how. The book is pub
lished by Small. Maynard & Co.
Edith NJ. Thomas's new volume of poems
aCassia and Other Verses" Orchard D.
Badeer), opens with long poem occupied
with the tragic story of Cassia from Zola 8
Rome. This is followed by dramatic
poem in which Beatrice Cenci, Farinacci.
her advocate, and Guido REM REM. the
painter, carry on the poetical dialogue.
The remainder Of the book ia made up OF
lyrics and verses on great variety OF
themes and written in a great variety Of
poetical forms, varying in excellence as in
theme, but always serious in significance
tender and dignifed in sentiment. The
volume concludes with series OF sonnete.
correct in form. graceful in diotion, based
for the most part upon simple and familiar
themes and showing flashes OF great
genius on mountain peaks OF poetic in
SEPARATION. Distinctive among the poems
because Of it's dramatic power and vigor
and because of its unlikeness to Miss
Thomas's reflective and thoughtful work
is The Sea Fight
Nearer the dark ships draw together Ike birds Of
prey.
Nearer and ne arer we circle and wheel ere We close
for the fray
We should be friends. who shall meet on the desc.
late waste OF tho deep
Friends, from the throats OF our giant guns our
w.lcome shall leap.
Yours b, NOT siu~ IL .ep!y. sEd. ct length We shh
understand
(Hush, sprinkle the deck with sandD
How fair 1, the dawn OF the day. how calm Is the
mcasurclcss seal
Il, there anywhere token OF pity or foresight OF
horror to bet
Soon on the fash, shall follow tho thundcr's 70
verberant tread.
Soon ah. how soon. my comrades. the crest OF
the wave shall blush redl
But We we are trimmed for the light. and ready
we wait command!
Hush sprnkle the deck with sandO