IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 Ifi^l I.I 11.25 125 mm ■u u I 2.0 ^1^ y /} ""h V Photogra{iiic Sciences G^rporaiion ^ %■ V <^ 23 WAST MAM STRUT IIVIBSTIR,N.Y. USM (71*)I72-4S03 CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/iCIVIH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / lnst>tut Canadian de micrcreproductions historiques Technical and Bibliographic r4ot«s/Not«s techniques et bibiiographiques The Insti'^ute has attempted to obtain th# best original copy avaiiablo for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographicaily unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of flinging, are checked below. □ D D D D D D Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur Covers damaged/ Couverture endommeg^e Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaur6e et/ou peiiicul^e Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque Coloured maps/ Cartes g^ographiques en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encra de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) □ Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur D Bound with other material/ Reli6 avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La re liure serrde peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge int6rieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut ( ue certaines pages blanches ajouties lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte. mais, lorsque cela 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6x6 filmees. Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppl6mentaires; L'Institut a microfilm* le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lul a At* possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-Atre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la methods normale de f ilmage sont indiqu6s ci-dessous. I — I Coloured pages/ H Pages de couleur Pages damaged/ Pages endommagdes □ Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaur6es et/ou pellicui^es Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages dicolories. tacheties ou piqudes □Pages detached/ Pages d^tachdes Showthrough/ Z^ Transparence Quality of prir Quality inigale de I'impression Includes supplementary materii Comprend du materiel supplimentaire Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible I I Quality of print varies/ I I Includes supplementary material/ I — I Only edition available/ Tfi to Tl pc of fil Oi b< th sii ot fir sit or Tl s^ Tl w M di er b« rll re m Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc.. have been refllmed to ensure t^.c Hest possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuiliet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont dt6 filmdes 6 nouveau de fapon 6 obtenir la meilleure image possible. This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est film* au taux de reduction indlqu* ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X 12X 1IX 20X 24X 28X 32X ils lu lifier ne age Th« copy film«d h«r« hat b««n raproducad thanks to tha nanarosity of: Douglas Library Quaan's Univarsity Tha imagas appaaring hara ara tha bast quality poaaibia conaidaring tha condition and lagibility of tha original copy and in kaaping with tha filming contract spacifications. L'axamplaira filniA fut raproduit grAca A la gAnirosit* da: Douglas Library Queen's University Laa images suivantes ont 4t6 raproduites avac le plus grand sjin, compta tanu de la condition at da la nattat* da raxemplaira film6, et en conformity avac las conditions du contrat de filmaga. Original copies in printed iMpar covers ara filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the lest page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. Ail other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier eat imprimte sont filmte en commenpant par la premier plat et en terminant soit par la darnlAre pr je qui comporte une empreinte d'impreasion ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, salon le caa. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont fiimAs an commenpant par la premiere page qui comporte une empreinte d'impreasion ou d'illustration et en terminant par la darniira page qui comporte une telle empreinte. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain tha symbol ^»> (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Un des symboles suivants apparaftra sur la derniAre imege de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: la symbols — »» signifie "A SUIVRE", la symbole ▼ signifie "FIN ". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one expoaura ara filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames aa required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre filmte A des taux de reduction diffArants. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atra raproduit en un seul clichA, il est f limA A partir de I'angle supArieur gauche, de gauche A drolte, et de haut en bas, an pranant le nombre d'images nAcesssire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. ata elure, A 3 32X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 Lyrics of the Hearthside Books by Mr. Dunbar Lyrics of Lowly Life Folks from Dixie The Uncalled Lyrics of the Hearthside T (?c^^ /. «i^ /(>4-,.-<-.tx^^-«5^i^. f .AJtV AJk\^ X II '4^ 11 IIV ce Dunbar ^ 4Ni> CO., U'o;: '•'^■■i .^ /■ , ..<. A- .f.*-*..' ,-^_x%^.«:..<.^*. ^-<- AJnut-^-rt, H!^- • '<^^' ^ Lyrics of the Hearthside By Paul Laurence Dunbar t TORONTO GEORGE N. MORANG AND CO., Ltd. 1899 PS iS5i. 1 0^1 ■] Copyright, 1899, by Dodd, Mead and Company, for the United States of America. Printed at the University Press, Cambridge, U.S. A. ■J 1 TO ALICE 3 ^-^ /-Z CONTENTS. Page LovE*s Apotheosis i The Paradox 3 Over the Hills S With the Lark . 6 In Summer 8 The Mystic Sea lo A Sailor's Song ii The Bohemian 13 Absence 14 Her Thought and His 16 The Right to Die 17 Behind the Arras 18 When the OLD Man Smokes 19 The Garret 22 To E. H. K 24 A Bridal Measure 25 Vengeance is Sweet 27 A Hymn 28 Just Whistle a Bit 30 The Barrier 32 Dreams 34 The Dreamer 35 vii Contents. Page Waiting 36 The End of the Chapter 38 Sympathy 40 Love and Grief 42 Mortality 43 Love 44 She gave me a Rose 45 Dream Song. I 46 Dream Song. II 47 Christmas in the Heart 48 The King is Dead 50 Theology 52 Resignation 53 Love's Humility 54 Precedent 55 She told Her Beads 56 Little Lucy Landman 57 The Gourd 60 The Knight 63 Thou art my Lute 64 The Phantom Kiss 65 Communion 67 Mare Rubrum 70 In an English Garden 71 The Crisis 72 The Conquerors 74 Alexander Crummell — Dead 76 When all is Done 78 The Poet and the Baby 80 Distinction 81 The Sum 82 ■ • • Vlll i-M I Contents. Pagb Sonnet g^ On The Sea Wall 84 To A Lady Playing the Harp 86 Confessional 88 Misapprehension 90 Prometheus 01 Love's Phases p.. For the Man who Fails 95 Harriet Beecher Stowe . 97 Vagrants 08 A Winter's Day 100 My Little March Girl loi Remembered 103 Love Despoiled 10c The Lapse 106 The Warrior's Prayer loo Farewell to Arcady m The Voice of the Banjo 113 The Stirrup Cup ii5 A Choice ug Then and Now no At Cheshire Cheese 121 My Corn-Cob Pipe 123 In August 125 The Disturber 127 Expectation 130 Lover's Lane 132 Protest i3e Hymn 137 Little Brown Baby 139 Time to Tinker 'Roun ' ! 141 hi Contents. Pack The Real Question 143 Jilted '45 The News HI Chrismus on the Plantation 149 Angelina '53 FooLiN* wiD DE Seasons 15^ My Sort o* Man i59 Possum '63 On the Road 165 A Death Song 167 A Back-Log Song 168 Lullaby '7^ The Photograph '73 Jealous '75 Parted '77 Temptation '79 Possum Trot '82 Dely '87 Breaking the Charm '9° Hunting Song '94 A Letter '97 Chrismus is A-Comin' . . 201 A Cabin Tale 204 At Candle-Lightin* Time 210 Whistling Sam 213 How Lucy Backslid 218 ^tmmr.^y^.-- Lyrics of the Hearthside. 9- LOVE'S APOTHEOSIS. LOVE me. I care not what the circling years To me may do. If, but in spite of time and tears, You prove but true. Love me — albeit grief shall dim mine eyes. And tears bedew, I shall not e'en complain, for then my skies Shall still be blue. Love me, and though the winter snow shall pile, And leave me chill. Thy passion's warmth shall make for me, mean- while, A sun-kissed hill. ] tm^^^aammm ,1 1 i w ii ( I I i\ \ ■ i I i !l Lyrics of the Hearthside. And when the days have lengthened into years, And I grow old, Oh, spite of pains and griefs and cares and fears, Grow thou not cold. Then hand and hand we shall pass up the hill, I say not down ; That twain go up, of love, who Ve loved their fill,— To gain love's crown. Love me, and let my life take up thine own. As sun the dew. Come, sit, my queen, for in my heart a throne Awaits for you ! u t ]; ■ - fS.y^ -'riT^rr.osr -:?r:r-''-" The Paradox. 3 years, res and hill, d their Dwn, throne THE PARADOX. I AM the mother of sorrows, I am the ender of grief; I am the bud and the blossom, I am the late-falling leaf. I am thy priest and thy poet, I am thy serf and thy king ; I cure the tears of the heartsick, When I come near they shall sing. White are my hands as the snow-drop ; Swart are my fingers as clay ; Dark is my frown as the midnight, Fair is my brow as the day. Battle and war are my minions. Doing my will as divine ; I am the calmer of passions. Peace is a nursling of mine. 3 -.«..lli I Then shalt thou sing at my coming, Kiss me with passionate breath. Clasp me and smile to have thought me Aught save the foeman of Death. i ii - j Come to me, brother, when weary. Come when thy lonely heart swells ; I '11 guide thy footsteps and lead thee Down where the Dream Woman dwells. h 11 I! n ■pa t'<»^.,.,»r»(„«<-^i,*^'k,-.v»«,«»»'t«w»r--«5«*'?tfl'^^«wm"T^ r#'JfS»JJL»il!==!3-aa.-|f'|fV--2K.Xi^ Lyrics of the Hearthside. '1 A! M M I 14 It J iV; I 4« 'il 1 i ! IN SUMMER. OH, summer has clothed the earth In a cloak from the loom of the sun ! And a mantle, too, of the skies' soft blue, And a belt where the rivers run. And now for the kiss of the wind. And the touch of the air's soft hands, With the rest from strife and the heat of life, With the freedom of lakes and lands. I envy the farmer's boy Who sings as he follows the plow ; While the shining green of the young blades lean To the breezes that cool his brow. He sings to the dewy morn. No thought of another's ear ; But the song he sings is a chant for kings And the whole wide world to hear. 8 , t ■_i,r--V.Ji. i--rri-i'ri\:\:r~.jn-nv^-rr.rrr-{\rz^:.rrT::rr. -■•■^vP»»«»«i.r3*!«.'5»n^" "^ " In Summer. • He sings of the joys of life, Of the pleasures of work and rest, From an o'erfuU heart, without aim or art ; 'T is a song of the merriest. O ye who toil in the town, And ye who moil in the mart, Hear the artless song, and your faith made strong Shall renew your joy of heart. Oh, poor were the worth of the world If never a song were heard, — If the sting of grief had no relief, And never a heart were stirred. So, long as the streams run down. And as long as the robins trill. Let us taunt old Care with a merry air, And sing in the face of ill. '.f W'^'^^M; r- T-p H Lyrics of the Hearthside. THE MYSTIC SEA. THE smell of the sea in my nostrils, The sound of the sea in mine ears ; The touch of the spray on my burning face, Like the mist of reluctant tears. The blue of the sky above me, The green of the waves beneath ; The sun flashing down on a gray-white sail Like a scimitar from its sheath. And ever the breaking billows, And ever the rocks' disdain ; And ever a thrill in mine inmost heart That my reason cannot explain. So I say to my heart, " Be silent, The mystery of time is here ; Death's way will be plain when we fathom the main, And the secret of life be clear." 10 y I U i ! : ^ I ]■■ ' i. ■ r-T", IT' - ITf"-- % •*■* "^^ A Sailor's Song. irs; sail A SAILOR'S SONG. OH for the breath of the briny deep, And the tug of a bellying sail, With the sea-gull's cry across the sky And a passing boatman's hail. For, be she fierce or be she gay, The sea is a famous friend alway. Ho ! for the plains where the dolphins play, And the bend of the mast and spars. And a fight at night with the wild sea-sprite When the foam has drowned the stars. And, pray, what joy can the landsman feel Like the rise and fall of a sliding keel ? Fair is the mead ; the lawn is fair And the birds sing sweet on the lea ; But the echo soft of a song aloft II r I r i 'i | < » t« i t t .w tm f f-t^i ^ i*«fc.«!!Aji ii.,/1' r...^.Afx» yfoiJi^;^ »-*^e.* * V-a--», ..--ah- I'l I'- 1 J i; ' 1:1 i I Lyrics of the Hearthside. Is the strain that pleases me ; And swish of rope and ring of chain Are music to men who sail the main. Then, if you love me, let me sail While a vessel dares the deep ; For the ship 's my wife, and the breath of life Are the raging gales that sweep ; And when I 'm done with calm and blast, A slide o'er the side, and rest at last. 12 The Bohemian. THE BOHEMIAN. BRING me the livery of no other man. I am my own to robe me at my pleasure. Accepted rules to me disclose no treasure : What is the chief who shall my garments plan? No garb conventional but I '11 attack it. (Come, why not don my spangled jacket?) 13 L*W.".£!Aji :!#-«J_iJt4, ' '■*-^^ >f<^'- \ r «i , -^-^ »J< t^ nn.nrt Wi^ 4f.jff'Jrait^xsu^-:-=^jiin,^ 4 m-=x.,j. >< 1 I! H .')■ 1 I ' - I ] Lyrics of the Hearthside. ABSENCE. GOOD-NIGHT, my love, for I have dreamed of thee In waking dreams, until my soul is lost — Is lost in passion's wide and shoreless sea, Where, like a ship, unruddered, it is tost Hither and thither at the wild waves' will. There is no potent Master's voice to still This newer, more tempestuous Galilee ! The stormy petrels of my fancy fly In warning course across the darkening green, And, like a frightened bird, my heart doth cry And seek to find some rock of rest between The threatening sky and the relentless wave. It is not length of life that grief doth crave. But only calm and peace in which to die. 14 Absence. Here let me rest upon this single hope, For oh, my wings are weary of the wind, And with its stress no more may strive or cope. One cry has dulled mine ears, mine eyes are blind, — Would that o'er all the intervening space, I might fly forth and see thee face to face. I fly ; I search, but, love, in gloom I grope. Fly home, far bird, unto thy waiting nest ; Spread thy strong wings above the wind-swept sea. Beat the grim breeze with thy unrufHed breast Until th'>u sittest wing to wing with me. Then, let the past bring up its tales of wrong ; We shall chant low our sweet connubial song. Till storm and doubt and past no more shall be ! r-ii-JUii^^iUl .-* ^ ' At. x:; '•'^» * M- ill i I t { i 1 () i A. •»«»■■ »^ .-•»•'# ••«•■' Lyrics of the Hearthside. HER THOUGHT AND HIS. THE gray of the sea, and the gray of the sky, A glimpse of the moon like a half- closed eye. The gleam on the waves and the light on the land, A thrill in my heart, — and — my sweetheart's hand. She turned from the sea with a woman's grace, And the light fell soft on her upturned face. And I thought of the flood-tide of infinite bliss That would flow to my heart from a single kiss. But my sweetheart was shy, so I dared not ask For the boon, so bravely I wore the mask. But into her face there came a flame : — I wonder could she have been thinking the same ? i6 •^■*-«^ ft.:*!.*' Wl <•• • #» ,#»«,^..(Vi»-^"«-*»-»-#« *■ " ' 'I W J BV '"*"! The Right to Die. THE RIGHT TO DIE. I HAVE no fancy for that ancient cant That makes us masters of our destinies, And not our lives, to hold or give them up As will directs ; I cannot, will not think That men, the subtle worms, who plot and plan And scheme and calculate with such shrewd wit, Are such great blund'ring fools as not to know When they have lived enough. Men court not death When there are sweets still left in life to taste. Nor will a brave man choose to live when he, Full deeply drunk of life, has reached the dregs, And knows that now but bitterness remains. He is the coward who, outfaced in this, Fears the false goblins of another life. I honor him who being much harassed Drinks of sweet courage until drunk of it, — Then seizing Death, reluctant, by the hand, Leaps with him, fearless, to eternal peace ! 2 17 ^SS^"-."^ ■■^^ < ' «; . ; ^ ^ -■^t*— *».-vJlJ— . mm I » 1 '.] I iii i :^ Lyrics of the Hearthside. BEHIND THE ARRAS. AS in some dim baronial hall restrained, A prisoner sits, engirt by secret doors And waving tapestries that argue forth Strange passages into the outer air ; So in this dimmer room which we call life, Thus sits the soul and marks with eye intent That mystic curtain o'er the portal death ; Still deeming that behind the arras lies The lambent way that leads to lasting light. Poor fooled and foolish soul ! Know now that death Is but a blind, false door that nowhere leads, And giver no hope of exit final, free. i8 yi«« ii> r i m^tr -' •'*** " f ' "m^ffl" r When the Old Man Smokes. WHEN THE OLD MAN SMOKES. IN the forenoon's restful quiet, When the boys are off at school, When the window lights are shrded And the chimney-corner cool. Then the old man seeks his armchair, Lights his pipe and settles back ; Falls a-dreaming as he draws it Till the smoke-wreaths gather black. And the teardrops come a-trickling Down his cheeks, a silver flow — Smoke or memories you wonder, But you never ask him, — no ; For there 's something almost sacred To the other family folks In those moods of silent dreaming When the old man smokes. 19 )' 11 I >f'^ Ml i hi; 1; 1 1' I Jl 'I IV" Mn m i<: i ) ( > I i \l ! Lyrics of the Hearthside. Ah, perhaps he sits there dreaming Of the love of other days And of how he used to lead her Through the merry dance's maze ; How he called her "little princess," And, to please her, used to twine Tender wreaths to crown her tresses, From the " matrimony vine." Then before his mental vision Comes, perhaps, a sadder day. When they left his little princess Sleeping with her fellow clay. How his young heart throbbed, and pained him ! Why, the memory of it chokes ! Is it of these things he 's thinking When the old man smokes? * But some brighter thoughts possess him, For the tears are dried the while. And the old, worn face is wrinkled In a reminiscent smile, 20 I ' When the Old Man Smokes. From the middle of the forehead To the feebly trembling lip, At some ancient prank remembered Or some long unheard-of quip. Then the lips relax their tension And the pipe begins to slide, Till in little clouds of ashes, It falls softly at his side ; And his head bends low and lower Till his chin lies on his breast, And he sits in peaceful slumber Like a little child at rest. Dear old man, there 's something sad'ning. In these dreamy moods of yours. Since the present proves so fleeting, All the past for you endures. Weeping at forgotten sorrows, Smiling at forgotten jokes ; Life epitomized in minutes. When the old man smokes. 21 '.' !l w >. H:| ' 4 < > i / If i In ^1 H w »' i( (( i ! M IMj I •■ Lyrics of the Hearthside. THE GARRET. WITHIN a London garret high, Above the roofs and near the sky, My ill-rewarding pen I ply To win me bread. This little chamber, six by four. Is castle, study, den, and more, — Allho' no carpet decks the floor, Nor down, the bed. My room is rather bleak and bare ; I only have one broken chair. But then, there 's plenty of fresh air, — Some light, beside. What tho' I cannot ask my friends To share with me my odds and ends, A liberty my aerie lends. To most denied. 22 ^^-B- The Garret. The bore who falters at the stair No more shall be my curse and care, And iuns shall fail to find my lair With beastly bills. When debts have grown and funds are short, I find it rather pleasant sport To live " above the common sort " With all their ills. I write my rhymes and sing away. And dawn may come or dusk or day : Tho' fare be poor, my heart is gay. And full of glee. Though chimney-pots be all my views ; 'T is nearer for the winging Muse, So I am sure she '11 not refuse To visit me. 23 Kl! >i It '^ M :||i : I ■■ ;!if J (J; Lyrics of the H earths! de. TO E. H. K. ON THE RECEIPT OF A FAMILIAR POEM. TO me, like hauntings of a vagrant breath From some far forest which I once have known, The perfume of this flower of verse is blown. Tho' seemingly soul-blossoms faint to death, Nciught that with joy she bears e'er withereth. So, tho' the pregnant years have come and flown. Lives come and gone and altered like mine own, This poem comes to me a shibboleth : Brings sound of past communings to my ear. Turns round the tide of time and bears me back Along an old and long untraversed way ; Makes me forget this is a later year, Makes me tread o'er a reminiscent track, Half sad, half glad, to one forgotten day ! 24 ii A Bridal Measure. A BRIDAL MEASURE. COME, essay a sprightly measure, Tuned to some light song of pleasure. Maidens, let your brows be crowned As we foot this merry round. From the ground a voice is singing. From the sod a soul is springing. Who shall say 't is but a clod Quickening upward toward its God? Who shall say it? Who may know it, That the clod is not a poet Waiting but a gleam to waken In a spirit music- shaken? Phyllis, Phyllis, why be waiting? In the woods the birds are mating. From the tree beside the wall. Hear the am'rous robin call. 25 im^ if. ';\ i 1 /, I 'J I I ■ill Ji ;.f I m in! k Lyrics of the Hearthside. Listen to yon thrush's trilling ; Phyllis, Phyllis, are you willing, When love speaks from cave and tree. Only we should silent be ? When the year, itself renewing, All the world with flowers is strewing, Then through Youth's Arcadian land, Love and song go hand in hand. Come, unfold your vocal treasure. Sing with me a nuptial measure, — Let this springtime gambol be Bridal dance for you and me. i 16 , Vengeance is Sweet. VENGEANCE IS SWEET. WHEN I was young I longed for Love, And held his glory far above All other earthly things. I cried : « Come, Love, dear Love, with me abide ; " And with my subtlest art I wooed, And eagerly the wight pursued. But Love was gay and Love was shy, He laughed at me and passed me by. Well, I grew old and I grew gray. When Wealth came wending down my way. I took his golden hand with glee, And comrades from that day were we. Then Love came back with doleful face. And prayed that I would give him place. But, though his eyes with tears were dim, I turned my back and laughed at him. 27 Lyrics of the Hearthside. ', I'* Ill ■'i|a ,M 'i A HYMN. AFTER READING " LEAD, KINDLY LIGHT." LEAD gently, Lord, and slow, For oh, my steps are weak. And ever as I go, Some soothing sentence speak ; That I may turn my face Through doubt's obscurity Toward thine abiding-place. E'en tho' I cannot see. For lo, the way is dark ; Through mist and cloud I grope, Save for that fitful spark, The little flame of hope. Lead gently, Lord, and slow, For fear that I may fall ; I know not where to go Unless I hear thy call. 28 A Hymn. My fainting soul doth yearn For thy green hills afar ; So let thy mercy burn — My greater, guiding star I 11 29 » " l» « l> mww ir ^\m ' Lyrics of the Hearthside. >» I '-'l! If 1 I I, t; ;l| m »i ? i JUST WHISTLE A BIT. JUST whistle a bit, if the day be dark, And the sky be overcast : If mute be the voice of the piping lark. Why, pipe your own small blast. And it 's wonderful how o'er the gray sky-track The truant warbler comes stealing back. But why need he come ? for your soul 's at rest, And the song in the heart, — ah, that is best. Just whistle a bit, if the night be drear And the stars refuse to shine : And a gleam that mocks the starlight clear Within you glows benign. Till the dearth of light in the glooming skies Is lost to the sight of your soul-lit eyes. What matters the absence of moon or star? The light within is the best by far. 39 i ti. Just Whistle a Bit. Just whistle a bit, if there 's work to do, With the mind or in the soil. And your note will turn out a talisman true To exorcise grim Toil. :y-track It rest, best. ar It will lighten your burden and make you feel That there 's nothing like work as a sauce for a meal. And with song in your heart and the meal in — its place, There '11 be joy in your bosom and light in your face. Just whistle a bit, * f your heart be sore ; 'T is a wonderful balm for pain. Just pipe some old melody o'er and o'er Till it soothes like summer rain. < \i i \'\ kies ar? And perhaps 't would be best in a later day. When Death comes stalking down the way, To knock at your bosom and see if you 're fit, Then, as you wait calmly, just whistle a bit. 31 f ' i ^^Jt.tr »-.,'r»-e*-*^«^.^.jtJ%., ,'A. ^»t-y*^^•»t^t.r^m.^^:^. .a^ ^^ Mh , I'V.kik m-. '<( . im u ! 1 I I I |- ' 1* t u ( i ?». Ill ' Lyrics of the Hearthside. THE BARRIER. THE Midnight wooed the Morning-Star, And prayed her : " Love come nearer ; Your swinging coldly there afar To me but makes you dearer ! " The Morning-Star was pale with dole As said she, low replying : " Oh, lover mine, soul of my soul, For you I too am sighing. " But One ordained when we were bom, In spite of Love*s insistence. That Night might only view the Morn Adoring at a distance." But as she spoke the jealous Sun Across the heavens panted, " Oh, whining fools," he cried, " have done ; Your wishes shall be granted ! " 32 '■'1* -*-*•■''■*■■.*■•.!,? t> fN The Barrier. He hurled his flaming lances far ; The twain stood unaffrighted — And midnight and the Morning-Star Lay down in death united ! g-Star, nearer ; im, i done ; U I ? ^ i f« *-'i* •*•**■'''»'■' .•-.*.»> r» L^f ^*« A , *M >-, .^,. f 1.^ ' Lyrics of the Hearthside. DREAMS. k\ • . / i 1 a jli i DREAM on, for dreams are sweet : Do not awaken ! Dream on, and at thy feet Pomegranates shall be shaken. Who likeneth the youth Of life to morning ? T is like the night in truth, Rose-coloured dreams adorning. The wind is soft above. The shadows umber. (There is a dream called Love.) Take thou the fullest slumber ! In Lethe's soothing stream, Thy thirst thou slakest. Sleep, sleep ; 't is sweet to dream. Oh, weep when thou awakest ! 34 ■"^ .*- *.,i.;'*''^^«»»>?*fcfj»^'»,v«*^»W.-«»»n«»«»j*ii.«-i»**i«rfp«*»w^i«u.«»*--*-- The Dreamer. THE DREAMER. TEMPLES he built and palaces of air, And, with the artist's parent-pride aglow, His fancy saw his vague ideals grow Into creations marvellously fair ; He set his foot upon Fame's nether stair. But ah, his dream, — it had entranced him so He could not move. He could no farther go ; But paused in joy that he was even there ! He did not wake until one day there gleamed Thro' his dark consciousness a light that racked His being till he rose, alert to act. But lo ! what he had dreamed, the while he dreamed. Another, wedding action unto thought. Into the living, pulsing world had brought. > fi il 35 I IB I f FW I mt I J 1 i Lyrics of the Hearthside. ' j 1 * i 1 fu ' I .1,' )- ■1^^ III '' ■ I I _ i ! ' I - n IF ! ■) WAITING. THE sun has slipped his tether And galloped down the west. (Oh, it 's weary, weary waiting, love.) The little bird is sleeping In the softness of its nest. Night follows day, day follows dawn, And so the time has come and gone : And it *s weary, weary waiting, love. The cruel wind is rising With a whistle and a wail. (And it 's weary, weary waiting, love.) My eyes are seaward straining For the coming of a sail ; But void the sea, and void the beach Far and beyond where gaze can reach ! And it *s weary, weary waiting, love. 36 Waiting. I heard the bell-buoy ringing — How long ago it seems ! (Oh, it's weary, weary waiting, love.) And ever still, its knelling Crashes in upon my dreams. The banns were read, my frock was sewn ; Since then two seasons' winds have blown And it 's weary, weary waiting, love. The stretches of the ocean Are bare and bleak to-day. (Oh, it 's weary, weary waiting, love.) My eyes are growing dimmer — Is it tears, or age, or spray ? But I will stay till you come home. Strange ships come in across the foam ! But it 's weary, weary waiting, love. 37 PT" il w m m r i /I ^l' ( 'I I f! if. ' li f! I" ■ij'i ) fr Lyrics of the Hearthside. THE END OF THE CHAPTER. AH, yes, the chapter ends to-day ; We even lay the book away ; But oh, how sweet the moments sped Before the final page was read ! We tried to read between the lines The Author's deep-concealed designs ; But scant reward such search secures ; You saw my heart and I saw yours. The Master, — He who penned the page And bade us read it, — He is sage ; And what he orders, you and I Can but obey, nor question why. We read together and forgot The world about us. Time was not. Unheeded and unfelt, it fled. We read and hardly knew we read. 38 \ : The End of the Chapter. Until beneath a sadder sun, We came to know the book was done. Then, as our minds were but rew lit, It dawned upon us what was writ ; And we were startled. In our eyes, Looked forth the light of great surprise. Then as a deep-toned tocsin tolls, A voice spoke forth : " Behold your souls ! " I do, I do. I cannot look Into your eyes : so close the book. But brought it grief or brought it bliss. No other page shall read like this ! 39 '•mliiiiU' - --«' T-»iirnri £& r fr 1.1. ,1 )1 Lyrics of the Hearthside. SYMPATHY. I KNOW what the caged bird feels, alas ! When the sun is bright on the upland slopes ; When the wind stirs soft through the springing grass, And the river flows like a stream of glass ; When the first bird sings and the first bud opes, And the faint perfume from its chalice steals — I know what the caged bird feels ! I know why the caged bird beats his wing Till its blood is red on the cruel bars ; For he must fly back to his perch and cling When he fain would be on the bough a-swing ; And a pain still throbs in the old, old scars And they pulse again with a keener sting — I know why he beats his wing ! 40 Sympathy. I know why the caged bird sings, ah me, When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore, — When he beats his bars and he would be free ; It is not a carol of joy or glee, But a prayer that he sends from his heart's deep core. But a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings — I know why the caged bird sings ! 41 w I; ( .111 H Lyrics of the Hearthside. LOVE AND GRIEF. OUT of my heart, one treach'rous winter's day, I locked young Love and threw the key away. Grief, wandering widely, found the key. And hastened with it, straightway, back to me. With Love beside him. He unlocked the door And bad Love enter with him there and stay. And so the twain abide for evermore. love's chastening. Once Love grew bold and arrogant of air. Proud of the youth that made him fresh and fair ; So unto Grief he spake, " What right hast thou To part or parcel of this heart? " Griefs brow Was darkened with the storm of inward strife ; Thrice smote he Love as only he might dare. And Love, pride purged, was chastened all his life. 4fl A;^.-:-:; Mortality. MORTALITY. ASHES to ashes, dust unto dust, What of his loving, what of his lust? What of his passion, what of his pain ? What of his poverty, what of his pride ? Earth, the great mother, has called him again : Deeply he sleeps, the world's verdict defied. Shall he be tried again ? Shall he go free ? Who shall the court convene ? Where shall it be ? No answer on the land, none from the sea. Only we know that as he did, we must : You with your theories, you with your trust, — Ashes to ashes, dust unto dust ! 43 ^vaufni'mm' Lyrics of the Hearthside. LOVE. r ( ' i^i e A LIFE was mine full of the close concern Of many-voiced affairs. The world sped fast ; Behind me, ever rolled a pregnant past. A present came equipped with lore to learn. Art, science, letters, in their turn. Each one allured me with its treasures vast ; And I staked all for wisdom, till at last Thou cam';5t and taught my soul anew to yearn. I had not dreamed that I could turn away From all that men with brush and pen had wrought ; But ever since that memorable day When to my heart the truth of love was brought, I have been wholly yielded to its sway. And had no room for any other thought. 44 She Gave Me a Rose. SHE GAVE ME A ROSE. SHE gave me a rose, And I kissed it and pressed it. I love her, she knows, And my action confessed it. She gave me a rose, And I kissed it and pressed it. Ah, how my heart glows. Could I ever have guessed it? It is fair to suppose That I might have repressed it : She gave me a rose. And I kissed it and pressed it. 'T was a rhyme in life's prose That uplifted and blest it. Man's nature, who knows Until love comes to test it? She gave me a rose, And I kissed it and pressed it. 45 , Lyrics of the Hearthside. DREAM SONG. I. LONG years ago, within a distant clime, Ere Love had touched me with his wand sublime, I dreamed of one to make my life's calm May The panting passion of a summer's day. And ever since, in almost sad suspense, I have been waiting with a soul intense To greet and take unto myself the beams. Of her, my star, the lady of my dreams. O Love, still longed and looked for, come to me. Be thy far home by mountain, vale, or sea. My yearning heart may never find its rest Until thou liest rapt upon my breast. The wind may bring its perfume from the south. Is it so sweet as breath from my love's mouth ? Oh, naught that surely is, and naught that seems May turn me from the lady of my dreams. 46 f T i Dream Song. II. DREAM SONG. II. PRAY, what can dreams avail To make love or to mar? The child within the cradle rail Lies dreaming of the star. But is the star by this beguiled To leave its place and seek the child? The poor plucked rose within its glass Still dreameth of the bee ; But, tho' the lagging moments pass. Her Love she may not see. If dream of child and flower fail, Why should a maiden's dreams prevail ? 47 • t e. '^' v ^'mmm'' 'tmymm)m^'«tf^tv»ffmmit^. rw^ 'i ' U i\ '. i: ! f ; Lyrics of the Hearthside. CHRISTMAS IN THE HEART. THE snow lies deep upon the ground, And winter's brightness all around Decks bravely out the forest sere, With jewels of the brave old year. The coasting crowd upon the hill With some new spirit seems to thrill ; And all the temple bells achime Ring out the glee of Christmas time. In happy homes the brown oak-bough Vies with the red-gemmed holly now ; And here and there, like pearls, there show The berries of the mistletoe. A sprig upon the chandelier Says to the maidens, " Come not here ! " Even the pauper of the earth Some kindly gift has cheered to mirth ! 48 Christmas in the Heart. Within his chamber, dim and cold, There sits a grasping miser old. He has no thought save one of gain, — To grind and gather and grasp and drain. A peal of bells, a merry shout Assail his ear : he gazes out Upon a world to him all gray. And snarls, *' Why, this is Christmas Day I '* No, man of ice, — for shame, for shame ! For " Christmas Day " is no mere name. No, not for you this ringing cheer, This festal season of the year. And not for you the chime of bells From holy temple rolls and swells. In day and deed he has no part — Who holds not Christmas in his heart ! ii^ 49 ■7^^ ,11 :; i! J I I Lyrics of the Hearthside. THE KING IS DEAD. AYE, lay him in his grave, the old dead year I His life is lived — fulfilled his destiny. Have you for him no sad, regretful tear To drop beside the cold, unfollowed bier? Can you not pay the tribute of a sigh ? M< -V-f Was he not kind to you, this dead old year? Did he not give enough of earthly store ? Enough of love, and laughter, and good cheer? Have not the skies you Lcanned sometimes been clear? How, then, of h'n^ who dies, could you ask more ? It is not well to hate him for the pain He brought you, and the sorrows manifold. To pardon him these hurts still I am fain ; 50 The King is Dead. For in the panting period of his reign, He brought me new wounds, but he healed the old. One little sigh for thee, my poor, dead friend — One little sigh while my companions sing. Thou art so soon forgotten in the end ; We cry e'en as thy footsteps downward tend : ** The king is dead ! long live the king ! " SI ■ sfi-^^fc* i0 .*»«#*.*.*■ *»■■ '* *■■••' ••.•►• *..f,'»-W«»-..^*i%.»*_.,#^ •» »«»^,**# ''^W">Wfl(P|^WP''V^-'^ m Lyrics of the Hearthside. THEOLOGY. m (1 THERE is a heaven, for ever, day by day, The upward longing of my soul doth tell me so. There is a hell, I 'm quite as sure ; for pray. If there were not, where would my neigh- bours go ? 52 h i-'Jtm-''. -i.! ■ J.-,^iii.- ^."Ja-a -s.'. Resignation. RESIGNATION. IONG had I grieved at what I deemed abuse ; J But now I am as grain within the mill. If so be thou must crush me for thy use, Grind on, O potent God, and do thy will ! 53 (' Lyrics of the Hearthside. W LOVE'S HUMILITY. AS some rapt gazer on the lowly earth, Looks up to radiant planets, ranging far, So I, whose soul doth know thy wondrous worth Look longing up to thee as to a star. , 1- 54 4\ tU ^ — ^. . **' ■O' .fV --. h ^_*J~ w t i/ :. -^■■~*'*— — -■ ■■'— ■ 'i i-niififcn I" Precedent. PRECEDENT. THE poor man went to the rich man's doors, " I come as Lazarus came," he said. The rich man turned with humble head, — " I will send my dogs to lick your sores ! " 55 l> .' Lyrics of the Hearthside. SHE TOLD HER BEADS. SHE told her beads with downcast eyes. Within the ancient chapel dim ; And ever as her fingers slim Slipt o*er th' insensate ivories, My rapt soul followed, spaniel-wise. Ah, many were the beads she wore ; But as she told them o'er and o'er. They did not number all my sighs. My heart was filled with unvoiced cries And prayers and pleadings unexpressed ; But while I burned with Love's unrest, She told her beads with downcast eyes. 5« ••ii .- .^ik •• •-■* M -I Little Lucy Landman. LITTLE LUCY LANDMAN. OH, the day has set me dreaming In a strange, half solemn way Of the feelings I experienced On another long past day, — Of the way my heart made music When the buds began to blow, And o' little Lucy Landman Whom I loved long years ago. It's in spring, the poet tells us, That we turn to thoughts of love, And our hearts go out a-wooing With the lapwing and the dove. But whene'er the soul goes seeking Its twin-soul, upon the wing, I 've a notion, backed by mem'ry, That it 's love that makes the spring. 57 y'n'v • ■ss;»5.,.BS<»».-s. »v-«m / ■ I i fl' I i Id nil] l; i''< THOU ART MY LUTE. THOU art my lute, by thee I sing, — My being is attuned to thee. Thou settest all my words a-wing. And meltest me to melody. Thou art my life, by thee I live. From thee proceed the joys I know ; Sweetheart, thy hand has power to give The meed of love — the cup of woe. Thou art my love, by thee I lead My soul the paths of light along, From vale to vale, from mead to mead, And home it in the hills of song. My song, my soul, my life, my all. Why need I pray or make my plea, Since my petition cannot fall ; For I 'm already one with thee i ' \( i The Phantom Kiss. THE PHANTOM KISS. ONE night in my room, still and beamless, With will and with thought in eclipse, I rested in sleep that was dreamless ; When softly there fell on my lips A touch, as of lips that were pressing Mine own with the message of bliss — A sudden, soft, fleeting caressing, A breath like a maiden's first kiss. I woke — and the scoffer may doubt me — I peered in surprise through the gloom ; But nothing and none were about me, And I was alone in my room. Perhaps *t waz whe ^« ind that caressed me And toucned . e with dew-laden breath ; Or, may^c", dos« eeping, there passed me The l0W"Wiiiging Angel of Death. I 65 ) i I WJ.iWflSiiKiSa^j^lBM, Lyrics of the Hearthside. Some sceptic may choose to disdain it. Or one feign to read it aright ; Or wisdom may seek to explain it — This mystical kiss in the night. N. ]> But rather let fancy thus clear it : That, thinking of me here alone. The miles were made naught, and, in spirit, Thy lips, love, were laid on mine own. 66 i\ Communion. COMMUNION. IN the silence of my heart, I will spend an hour with thee, When my love shall rend apart All the veil of mystery : All that dim and misty veil That shut in between our souls When Death cried, " Ho, maiden, hail ! " And your barque sped on the shoals. On the shoals ? Nay, wrongly said. On the bieeze of Death that sweeps Far from life, thy soul has sped Out into unsounded deeps. I shall take an hour and come Sailing, darling, to thy side. Wind nor sea may keep me from Soft communings with my bride. 67 ■^i ii m WW INU ¥ in !.l ■W ( V: Lyrics of the Hearthside. I shall rest my head on thee As I did long days of yore. When a calm, untroubled sea Rocked thy vessel at the shore. I shall take thy hand in mine, And live o'er the olden days When thy smile to me was wine, — Golden wine thy word of praise. For the carols I had wrought In my soul's simplicity ; For the petty beads of thought Which thine eyes alone could see. Ah, those eyes, love-blind, but keen For my welfare and my weal ! Tho' the grave-door shut between. Still their love-lights o'er me steal. I can see thee thro' my tears, As thro' rain we see the sun. What tho' cold and cooling years Shall their bitter courses run, — 68 Communion. I shall see thee still and be Thy true lover evermore, And thy face shall be to me Dear and helpful as before. Death may vaunt and Death may boast, But we laugh his pow'r to scorn ; He is but a slave at most, — Night that heralds coming morn. I shall spend an hour with thee Day by day, my little bride. True love laughs at mystery, Crying, '' Doors of Death, liy wide." 69 •T^r.^aMwr^ Lyrics of the Hearth side. MARE RUBRUM. J I j if Confessional. If r should pray, I scarcely know In just what way My prayers would go. So strong in me I feel love's leaven, I 'd bow to thee As soon as Heaven I m il I' 89 111 Lyrics of the Hearthside. MISAPPREHENSION. i't »« OUT of my heart, one day, I wrote a song, With my heart's blood imbued, . In3tinct with passion, tremulously strong, V/ith giief subdued ; Breathing a fortitude Pain-bought. And one who claimed much love for what I wrought, Read and considered it, And spoke : " Ay, brother, — tis well writ, But where 's the joke ? " ?i 90 Prometheus. PROMETHEUS. PROMETHEUS stole from Heaven the sacred fire And swept to earth with it o'er land and sea. He lit the vestal flames of poesy, Content, for this, to brave celestial ire. Wroth were the gods, and with eternal hate Pursued the fearless one who ravished Heaven That earth might hold in fee the perfect leaven To lift men's souls above their low estate. But judge you now, when poets wield the pen. Think you not well the wrong has been re- paired? 'T was all in vain that ill Prometheus fared : The fire has been returned to Heaven again ! 91 I i Lyrics of the Hearthside. We have no singers like the ones whose note Gave challenge to the noblest warbler's song. We have no voice so mellow, sweet, and strong As that which broke from Shelley's golden throat. The measure of our songs is our desires : We tinkle where old poets used to storm. We lack their substance tho' we keep their form: We strum our banjo- strings and call them lyres. 92 mmmsm. Love's Phases. LOVE'S PHASES. LOVE hath the wings of the butterfly, Oh, clasp him but gently. Pausing and dipping and fluttering by Inconsequently. Stir not his poise with the breath of a sigh ; Love hath the wings of the butterfly. Love hath the wings of the eagle bold, Cling to him strongly — What if the look of the world be cold, And life go wrongly? Rest on his pinions, for broad is their fold ; Love hath the wings of the eagle bold. Love hath the voice of the nightingale. Hearken his trilling — List to his song when the moonlight is pale,- Passionate, thrilling. 93 1 ill f Lyrics of the Hearthside. Cherish the lay, ere the lilt of it fail ; Love hath the voice of the nightingale. Love hath the voice of the storm at night, Wildly defiant. Hear him and yield up your soul to his might, Tenderly pliant. None shall regret him who heed him aright ; Love hath the voice of the storm at night. 94 li 0^ For the Man who Fails. FOR THE MAN WHO FAILS. THE world is a snob, and the man who wins Is the chap for its money's worth : And the lust for success causes half of the sins That are cursing this brave old earth. For it 's fine to go up, and the world's applause Is sweet to the mortal ear ; But the man who fails in a noble cause Is a hero that 's no less dear. 'T is true enough that the laurel crown Twines but for the victor's brow ; For many a hero has lain him down With naught but the cypress bough. There are gallant men in the losing fight. And as gallant deeds are done As ever graced the captured height Or the battle grandly won. 95 J' I \ ; t II :i I I ii if Lyrics of the Hearthside. I We sit at life's board with our nerves highstrung, And we play for the stake of Fame, And our odes are sung and our banners hung For ths man who wins the game. But I have a song of another kind Than breathes in these fame-wrought gales, — An ode to the noble heart and mind Of the gallant man who fails ! The man who is strong to fight his fight, And whose will no front can daunt, If the truth be truth and the right be right, Is the man that the ages want. Tho* he fail and die in grim defeat, Yet he has not fled the strife. And the house of Earth will seem more sweet For the perfume of his life. b: 96 ^;. BBHH Harriet Beecher Stowe. HARRIET BEECHER STOWE. ) ''i SHE told the story, and the whole world wept At wrongs and cruelties it had not known But for this fearless woman's voice alone. She spoke to consciences that long had slept : Her message, Freedom's clear reveille, swept From heedless hovel to complacent throne. Command and prophecy were in the tone And from its sheath the sword of justice leapt. Around two peoples swelled a fiery wave, But both came forth transfigured from the fiame. Blest be the hand that dared be strong to save, And blest be she who in our weakness came — Prophet and priestess ! At one stroke she gave A race to freedom and herself to fame. 1 } i'i H It 97 H ' M ; i -■»•* Lyrics of the Hearthside. VAGRANTS. LONG time ago, we two set out, My soul and I. I know not why, For all our way was dim with doubt. I know not where We two may fare : Though still with every changing weather, We wander, groping on together. We do not love, we are not friends, My soul and I. He lives a lie ; Untruth lines every way he wends. A scoffer he Who jeers at me : And so, my comrade and my brother, We wander on and hate each other. Vagrants. Ay, there be taverns and to spare, Beside the road ; But some strange goad Lets me not stop to taste their fare. Knew I the goal Toward which my soul And I made way, hope made life fragrant : But no. We wander, aimless, vagrant I ther, 99 Lyrics of the Hearthside. 11 1 ; 1 - 'K A WINTER'S DAY. ACROSS the hills and down the narrow ways. And up the valley where the free winds sweep, The earth is folded in an ermined sleep That mocks the melting mirth of myriad Mays. Departed her disheartening duns and grays, And all her crusty black is covered deep. Dark streams are locked in Winter's donjon- keep, And made to shine with keen, unwonted rays. O icy mantle, and deceitful snow ! What world-old liars in your hearts ye are ! Are there not still the darkened seam and scar Beneath the brightnesii that you fain would show? Come from the cover with thy blot and blur, O reeking Earth, thou whited sepulchre ! lOO My Little March Girl. MY LITTLE MARCH GIRL. ways, winds Mays, lonjon- COME to the pane, draw the curtain apart. There she is passing, the girl of my heart ; See where she walks like a queen in the street. Weather- jefying, calm, placid and sweet. Tripping along with impetuous grace, Joy of her life beaming oui. of her face, Tresses all truant-like, curl upon curl. Wind-blown and rosy, my little March girl. If. rays. are ! Ind scar show? >lur. Hint of the violet's delicate bloom. Hint of the rose's pervading perfume ! How can the wind help from kissing her face,- Wrapping her round in his stormy embrace ? But still serenely she laughs at his rout. She is *he victor who wins in the bout. So may life's passions about her soul swirl, Leaving it placid, — my little March girl. lOI Lyrics of the Hearthside. What self-possession looks out of her eyes ! What are the wild winds, and what are the skies, Frowning and glooming when, brimming with life, Cometh the little maid ripe for the strife ? Ah ! Wind, and bah I Wind, what might have you now? What can you do with that innocent brow? Blow, Wind, and grow. Wind, and eddy and swirl, But bring her to me, Wind, — my little March girl. 102 Remembered. REMEMBERED. SHE sang, and I listened the whole song thro'. (It was sweet, so sweet, the singing.) The stars were out and the moon it grew From a wee soft glimmer way out in the blue To a bird thro' the heavens winging. She sang, and the song trembled down to my breast, — (It was sweet, so sweet the singing.) As a dove just out of its fledgling nest, And, putting its wings to the first sweet test, Flutters homeward so wearily winging. She sang and I said to my heart, ** That song, That was sweet, so sweet i* the singing. Shall live with us and inspire us long. And thou, my heart, shalt be brave and strong For the sake of those words a-winging. 103 !l Lyrics of the Hearthside. The woman died and the song was still. (It was sweet, so sweet, the singing.) But ever I hear the same low trill, Of the song that shakes my heart with a thrill, And goes forever winging. 104 I Love Despoiled. LOVE DESPOILED. A ^ ^^^^ I sat one summer's day ir With mien dejected, Love c'ame by; His face distraught, his locks astray. So slow his gait, so sad his eye, I hailed him with a pitying cry': "Pray, Love, what has disturbed thee so? " AnH .u ^"^"""^^ "'^^"^ ''^"^ 'St bereft ; And see thy quiver hanging low,^ What, not a single arrow left? Pray, who is guilty of this theft? " Poor Love looked in my face and cried : " No thief were ever yet so bold To rob my quiver at my side. But Time, who rules, gave ear to Gold, And all my goodly shafts are sold." 105 I ■■ ; m 15 1 1 1 i 1' 1 1 1 • i Lyrics of the Hearthside. THE LAPSE. THIS poem must be done to-day ; Then, I '11 e'en to it. I must not dream my time away, — I 'm sure to rue it. The day is rather bright, I know The Muse will pardon My half-defection, if I go Into the garden. It must be better working there, — I 'm sure it 's sweeter : And something in the balmy air May clear my metre. [/« f/ie Garden.'] Ah this is noble, what a sky ! What breezes blowing ! The very clouds, I know not why. Call one to rowing. io6 r ~ The Lapse. The stream will be a paradise To-day, I 'II warrant. I know the tide that 's on the rise Will seem a torrent ; I know just how the leafy boughs Are all a-quiver ; I know how many skiffs and scows Are on the river. I think I '11 just go out awhile Before I write it : When Nature shows us such a smile, We should n't slight it. For Nature always makes desire By giving pleasure ; And so 't will help me put more fire Into my measure. 1 I Ill \_0n the River.'] The river 's fine, I 'm glad I came, That poem 's teasing ; But health is better far than fame, Though cheques are pleasing. 107 Lyrics of the Hearthside. I don't know what I did it for, ■ This air *s a poppy. I 'm sorry for my editor, — He '11 get no copy ! io8 The Warrior's Prayer. ')\i THE WARRIOR'S PRAYER. LONG since, in sore distress, I heard one pray, " Lord, who prevailest with resistless might, Ever from war and strife keep me away, My battles fight ! " I know not if I play the Pharisee, And if my brother after all be right ; But mine shall be the warrior's plea to thee — Strength for the fight. I do not ask that thou shalt front the fray, And drive the warring foeman from my sight ; I only ask, O Lord, by night, by day, Strength for the fight ! When foes upon me press, let me not quail Nor think to turn me into coward flight. I only ask, to make mine arms prevail, Strength for the fight ! 109 li -li :| Iff Lyrics of the Hearthside. Still let mine eyes look ever on the foe, Still let mine armor case me strong and bright ; And grant me, as I deal each righteous blow, Strength for the fight ! And when, at eventide, the fray is done, My soul to Death's bedchamber do thou light. And give me, be the field or lost or won, Rest from the fight ! no Farewell to Arcady. FAREWELL TO ARCADY. WITH sombre mien, the Evening gray Comes nagging at the heels of Day, And driven faster and still faster Before the dusky- mantled Master, The light fades from her fearful eyes, She hastens, stumbles, falls, and dies. Beside me Amaryllis weeps ; The swelling tears obscure the deeps Of her dark eyes, as, mistily, The rushing rain conceals the sea. Here, lay my tuneless reed away, — X have no heart to tempt a lay. I scent the perfume of the rose Which by my crystal fountain grows. In this sad time, are roses blowing? And thou, my fountain, art thou flowing, III (f;: Ml .•A 'A lif 'I i! •1^ *' Lyrics of the Hearthside. While I who watched thy waters spring Am all too sad to smile or sing? Nay, give me back my pipe again, It yet shall breathe this single strain : Farewell to Arcady ! 112 The Voice of the Banjo. i THE VOICE OF THE BANJO. IN a small and lonely cabin out of noisy traffic's way, Sdt an old man, bent and feeble, dusk of face, and hair of gray, And beside him on the table, battered, old, and worn as he. Lay a banjo, droning forth this reminiscent melody : " Night is closing in upon us, friend of mine, but don't be sad ; Let us think of all the pleasures and the joys that we have had. Let us keep a merry visage, and be happy till the last. Let the future still be sweetened with the honey of the past. 8 113 'If 'I I* • Lyrics of the Hearthside. i'i I t " For I speak to you of summer nights upon the yellow sand, When the Southern moon was sailing high and silvering all the land ; And if love tales were not sacred, there 's a tale that I could tell Of your many nightly wanderings with a dusk and lovely belle. I ** And I speak to you of care-free songs when labour's hour was o'er, And a woman waiting for your step outside the cabin door. And of something roly-poly that you took upon your lap. While you listened for the stumbling, hesitating words, ' Pap, pap.* I !. " I could tell you of a 'possum hunt across the wooded grounds, I could call to mind the sweetness of the baying of the hounds, 114 ithe I and I tale dusk when de the :upon itating OSS the baying The Voice of the Banjo. You could lift me up and smelling of the tim- ber that 's in me, Build again a whole green forest with the mem- 'ry of a tree. "So the future cannot hurt us while we keep the past in mind, What care I for trembling fingers, — what care you that you are blind? Time may leave us poor and stranded, circum- stance may make us bend ; But they *11 only find us mellower, won't they, comrade ? — in the end." 115 •J 3 \i f *^^h \ 1 t f ( ii i li » 1/ ■ 1; 1 1 n 1* w ! \ \ V 1 11 i \ f !,» i ' \) ' > 'w-''*i» <«"■«* '■i W #»^»-'»-%«y>'i»ii».«|fj|y»t»'^ jt^^i"^-^ '*■.«.%•. *i^,,,..4 m,, »(■»..'■"»,„ m Lyrics of the Hearthside. Thro' the smoke about it clinging, I delight its form to trace, Like an oriental beauty with a veil upon her face; And my room is dim with vapour as a church when censers sway. As I clasp it to my bosom — in a figurative way. FM? It consoles me in misfortune and it cheers me in distress. And it proves a warm partaker of my pleasures in success ; So I hail it as a symbol, friendship's true and worthy type, And I press my lips devoutly to my corn-cob pipe. 124 ^^•^mS&^ii? pSlL.., In August msam I IN AUGUST. WHEN August days are hot an' dry, When burning copper is the sky, I 'd rather fish than feast or fly In airy realms serene and high. I 'd take a suit not made for looks, Some easily digested books, Some flies, some lines, some bait, some hooks. Then would I seek the bays and brooks. I would eschew mine every task, In Nature's smiles my soul should bask, And I methinks no more could ask. Except — perhaps — one little flask. In case of accident, you know. Or should the wind come on to blow. Or I be chilled or capsized, so, A flask would be the only go. "5 If m •.-^i, l^ ( f ^ ■ * 1 • . * -* . »» . A.U- *. V *•'■•«..■ , :fe^ • *«»■ *v I *-" **i»' C»m»-^^9.M.,*-m-. •***' 1 Lyrics of the Hearthside. Then could I spend a happy time, — A bit of sport, a bit of rhyme (A bit of lemon, or of lime. To make my bottle's contents prime). When August days are hot an' dry, I won't sit by an' sigh or die, I Ml get my bottle (on the sly) And go ahead, and fish, and lie ! 126 .•.>r.-«.''>*..-;~.vii'- ■»■ -■ » '■- ■ It. The Disturber. THE DISTURBER. OH, what shall I do ? I am wholly upset ; I am sure I '11 be jailed for a lunatic yet. I '11 be out of a job — it 's the thing to expect When I 'm letting my duty go by with neglect. You may judge the extent and degree of my plight When I 'm thinking all day and a-dreaming all night, And a-trying my hand at a rhyme on the sly, All on account of a sparkling eye. ,1 I \fi There are those who say men should be strong, well-a-day ! But what constitutes strength in a man ? Who shall say? I am strong as the most when it comes to the arm. I have aye held my own on the playground or farm. 127 ■i ?. 1 1 1 •! -■*» s ■= „ -•, ,-i', -,<»»i«, «,»—«, »» .WW. «. ^. f '^ "^ * •' ^ ""^n. »l * •*, ' » -f . • ^. ^•%. »' *\ ) w ^ Lyrics of the Hearthside. .) r [• •• [ : ( And when I *ve been tempted, I have n't been weak ; But now — why, I tremble to hear a maid speak. I used to be bold, but now I 've grown shy, And all on account of a sparkling eye. There once was a time when my heart was devout, But now my religion is open to doubt. When parson is earnestly preaching of grace. My fancy is busy with drawing a face. Thro' the back of a bonnet most piously plain ; ' I draw it, redraw it, and draw it again.* While the songs and the sermon unheeded go by,- AH on account of a sparkling eye. Oh, dear little conjurer, give o'er your wiles, It is easy for you, you *re all blushes and smiles : But, love of my heart, I am sorely perplexed ; I am smiling one minute and sighing the next ; 128 The Disturber. And if it goes on, I '11 drop hackle and flail, And go to the parsor and tell him my tale. I warrant he '11 find me a cure for the sigh That you 're aye bringing forth with the glance of your eye. ' !3 ■ ill 129 w Lyrics of the Hearthside. EXPECTATION. If A YOU 'LL be wonderin' whut's de reason I *s a grinnin' all de time, An* I guess you t'ink my sperits Mus* be feelin* mighty prime. Well, I 'fess up, I is tickled As a puppy at his paws. But you need n't think I 's crazy, I ain' lafifin' *dout a cause. t »■ (,"•; You *s a wonderin* too, I reckon, Why I does n't seem to eat. An' I notice you a lookin* Lak you felt completely beat When I 'fuse to tek de bacon, An* don* settle on de ham. Don' you feel no feah erbout me, Jes' keep eatin', an' be ca'm. Fu' I *s waitin' an* I 's watchin* *Bout a little t'ing I see — 130 p. 'm Lyrics of the Hearthside. <; LOVER'S LANE. II I Ii w 1 i SUMMAH night an' sighin* breeze, *Long de lovah's lane ; Frien'ly, shadder-mekin* trees, *Long de lovah's lane. White folks* wo'k all done up gran' — Me an' 'Mandy han'-in-han' Struttin' lak we owned de Ian*, 'Long de lovah's lane. Owl a-settin' 'side de road, 'Long de lovah's lane, Lookin' at us lak he knowed Dis uz lovah's lane. Go on, hoot yo' mou'nful tune. You ain* nevah loved in June, An' come hidin' fom de moon Down in lovah's lane. 132 Lover*s Lane. Bush it ben' an' nod an' sway, Down in lovah's lane, Try'n' to hyeah me whut I say 'Long de lovah's lane. But I whispahs low lak dis, An' my 'Mandy smile huh bliss. Mistah Bush he shek his fis', Down in lovah's lane. f U Whut I keer ef day is long, Down in lovah's lane. I kin alius sing a song 'Long de lovah's lane. An' de wo'ds I hyeah an' say Meks up fu' de weary day Wen \ 5 strollin' by de way, Down in lovah's lane. An' dis fought will alius rise Down in lovah's lane : Wondah whethah in de skies Dey 's a lovah's lane. 133 il ; w Lyrics of the Hearthside. Ef dey ain't, I tell you true, *Ligion do look mighty blue, 'Cause I do' know whut I 'd do 'Dout a lovah's lane. i :\' /' 134 Protest, PROTEST. WHO say my hea't ain't true to you? Dey bettah heish dey mouf. I knows I loves you thoo an' thoo In watah time er drouf. I wush dese people 'd stop dey talkin', Don't mean no mo* dan chicken's squawkin' I guess I knows which way I 's walkin*, I knows de norf f om souf. I does not love Elizy Brown, I guess I knows my min*. You alius try to tek me down Wid evaht'ing you fin*. Ef dese hyeah folks will keep on fillin* Yo* haid wid nonsene, an* you *s willin* I bet some day dey '11 be a killin* Somewhaih along de line. 135 if 1 (.S = ii' i *i ! ij ^H I ,J f » Lyrics of the Hearthside. O* cose I buys de gal ice-cream, Whut else I gwine to do ? I knows jes' how de t'ing *u*d seem Ef I *d be sho't wid you. On Sunday, you 's at chu'ch a-shoutin', Den all de week you go 'roun* poutin' - I 's mighty tiahed o' all dis doubtin*, I tell you cause I 's true. !/t I 136 — ... * . « -t... *— • ■*•' mmm ■iPHipiPi Hymn HYMN. OLI'U lamb out in de col*, De Mastah call you to de foP, O li'l' lamb ! He hyeah you bleatin' on de hill ; Come hyeah an' keep yo' mou'nin* still, O li'l' lamb ! De Mastah sen' de Shepud fo'f ; He wandah souf, he wandah no'f, O li'l' lamb ! He wandah eas', he wandah wes* ; De win' a-wrenchin' at his breas', O li'l' lamb ! Oh, tell de Shepud whaih you hide ; He want you walkin' by his side, O li'l' lamb ! He know you weak, he know you so' ; But come, don' stay away no mo', O li'l' lamb ! 137 '\ i % i! Hi :;« V, Lyrics of the Hearthside. An* afah while de lamb he hyeah De Shepud's voice a-callin' cleah — Sweet li'l' lamb ! He answah f 'om de brambles thick, " O Shepud, I 's a-comin' quick '* — O li'l' lamb [ 138 s Little Brown Baby. mp I LITTLE BROWN BABY. LITTLE brown baby wif spa'klin* eyes, Come to yo' pappy an' set on his knee. What you been doin*, suh — makin' san' pies? Look at dat bib — you *s ez du'ty ez me. Look at dat mouf — dat 's merlasses, I bet ; Come hyeah, Maria, an* wipe off his ban's. Bees gwine to ketch you an' eat you up yit, Bein* so sticky an sweet — goodness lan's ! Little brown baby wif spa'klin* eyes, Who's pappy's darlin' an' who's pappy's chile? Who is it all de day nevah once tries Fu* to be cross, er once loses dat smile? Whah did you git dem teef? My, you's a scamp ! Whah did dat dimple come fom in yo' chin? Pappy do' know yo — I b'lieves you 's a tramp ; Mammy, dis hyeah 's some ol' straggler got in ! 139 u 1 i If .1 ;A imiim'itd^ Lyrics of the Hearth side. Let *s th'ow him outen de do' in de san*, We do' want stragglers a-layin' 'roun' hyeah ; Let 's gin him 'way to de big buggah-man ; I know he 's hidin' erroun' hyeah right neah. Buggah-man, buggah-man, come in de do', Hyeah's a bad boy you kin have fu' to eat. Mammy an' pappy do' want him no mo', Swaller him down f om his haid to his feet ! I Dah, now, I t'ought dat you 'd hug me up close. Go back, ol' buggah, you sha'n't have dis boy. He ain't no tramp, ner no straggler, of co'se ; He 's pappy's pa'dner an' playmate an' joy. Come to you' pallet now — go to yo' res' ; Wisht you could alius know ease an' cleah skies ; Wisht you could stay jes' a chile on my breas' — Little brown baby wif spa'klin' eyes ! 740 Time to Tinker 'Roun* ! 1^ TIME TO TINKER 'ROUNM SUMMAH 'S nice, wif sun a-shinin*, Spring is good wif greens and grass, An' dey 's some t'ings nice 'bout wintah. Dough hit brings de freezin' bias* ; But de time dat is de fines', Whethah fiel's is green er brown, Is w'en de rain 's a-po'in* An' dey 's time to tinker 'roun.* ! Den you men's de mule's ol' ha'ness. An' you men's de broken chair. Hummin' all de time you 's wo'kin' Some ol' ccmmon kind o' air. Evah now an' then you looks out, Tryin' mighty ha'd to frown. But you cain't, you 's glad hit 's rainin*, An' dey 's time to tinker 'roun'. 141 ■ S I . »ii » i ill i r H ll jH Wii^i ri l m l ■-. Lyrics of the Hearthside. Oh, you 'ten's lak you so anxious Evah time it so't o' stops. Wen hit goes on, den you reckon Dat de wet '11 he'p de crops. But hit ain't de crops you 's aftah ; You knows w'en de rain comes down Dat 's hit 's too wet out fu* wo'kin'. An' dey 's time to tinker *roun'. Oh, dey 's fun inside de co'n-crib. An' dey 's laffin' at de ba'n ; An* dey *s alius some one jokin% Er some one to tell a ya'n. Dah 's a quiet in yo' cabin. Only fu' de rain's sof soun* ; So you 's mighty blessed happy W'en dey 's time to tinker 'roun' ! 142 The Real Question. THE REAL QUESTION. FOLKS is talkin' 'bout de money, 'bout de silvah an' de gold ; All de time de season 's changia' an' de days is gittin' cold. An' dey 's wond'rin' 'bout de metals, whethah we '11 have one er two. While de price o' coal is risin' an' dey 's two months' rent dat 's due. \> \ 1 Some folks says dat gold 's de only money dat is wuff de name, Den de othahs rise an' tell 'em dat dey ought to be ashame. An' dat silvah is de only thing to save us fom de powah Of de gold-bug ragin' 'roun' an' seekin' who he may devowah. 143 •f| If "■••■^ ■^♦■i^ ■■»■« » ifc K i •mm'i^mfi H /l Lyrics of the Hearthside, Well, you folks kin keep on shoutin' wif yo* gold er silvah cry, But I tell you people hams is sceerce an* fowls is roostin' high. An* hit ain*t de so't o* money dat is pesterin' my min*, But de question I want answehed 's how to get at any kin* I -v i- t \ V, V 144 <■ » l|l'« l«l t»: ■ -* » «»< Jilted. JILTED. LUCY done gone back on me, Dat *s de way wif life. Evaht'ing was movin' free, T'ought I had my wife. Den some dahky comes along, Sings my gal a little song, Since den, evaht'ing 's gone wrong, Evah day dey 's strife. Did n't answeh me to-day, Wen I called huh name. Would you t'ink she 'd ac' dat way Wen I ain't to blame ? Dat 's de way dese women do, Wen dey fin's a fellow true, Den dey 'buse him thoo an' thoo ; Well, hit 's all de same. 10 145 ^ Jil «MMto-<*>MaM- *»*■-»> ■^- '— ■** - I ' i i; Lyrics of the Hearthside. Somep'n 's wrong erbout my lung, An' I 's glad hit 's so. Doctah says 'at I '11 die young, Well, I wants to go ! Whut 's de use o' livin' hyeah. Wen de gal you loves so deah, Goes back on you clean an' cleah — I sh'd like to know? l«. :" i: til 146 ?■<» Ill I I I > >l The News. rHE NEWS. WHUT dat you whisperin' keepin* f om me ? Don't shut me out 'cause I 's ol* an* can't see. Somep'n' 's gone wrong dat 's a-causin' you dread, — Don't be afeared to tell — Whut ! mastah dead ? Somebody brung de news early to-day, — One of de sojers he led, do you say? Didn't he foUer whah ol' mastah led? How kin he live w'en his leadah is dead ? Let me lay down awhile, dah by his bed ; I wants to t'ink, — hit ain't cleah in my head : — Killed while a-leadin' his men into fight, — Dat's whut you said, ain't it, did I hyeah right? 147 i» ► ♦ %'"w n » <»»i m ^ it^ m r *v-' m t*n 'in, J>" Lyrics of the Hearthside. Mastah, my mastah, dead dah in de fiel' ? Lif me up some, — dah, jes* so I kin kneel. I was too weak to go wid him, dey said, Well, now I'll — fin* him — so — mastah is dead. Yes, suh, I *s comin* ez fas* ez I kin, — 'T was kin* o* da'k, but hit *s lightah agin : P'omised yo* pappy I 'd alius tek keer Of you, — yes, mastah, — I *s foUerin*, — hyeah ! 148 ^r- Chrismus on the Plantation. CHRISMUS ON THE PLANTATION. IT was Chrismus Eve, I mind hit fu' a mighty gloomy day — Bofe de weathah an' de people — not a one of us was gay ; Cose you '11 t'ink dat 's mighty funny 'twell I try to mek hit cleah, Fu' a da'ky 's alius happy when de holidays is neah. (I But we was n't, fu' dat mo'nin' Mastah 'd tol' us we mus' go. He 'd been payin' us sence freedom, but he could n't pay no mo' ; He wa'n't nevah used to plannin' 'fo' he got so po' an' ol'. So he gwine to give up tryin', an' de homestead mus' be sol'. 149 I I. Lyrics of the Hearthside. r;< ^4 ..V l. II. ' ■ I L Ij: f: I kin see him stan'in' now erpon de step ez cleah ez day, Wid de win* a kind o* fondlin' thoo his haih all thin an' gray ; An* I 'membah how he trimbled when he said, "It'sha'dfu' me, Not to mek yo* Chrismus brightah, but I 'low it wa'n't to be." All de women was a-cryin*, an' de men, too, on de sly, An' I noticed somep'n shinin' even in ol' Mas- tah's eye. But we all stood still to listen ez ol* Ben come f om de crowd An* spoke up, a-try*n* to steady down his voice and mek it loud : — *i m " Look hyeah, Mastah, I *s been servin* you' fu* lo ! dese many yeahs, An' now, sence we 's got freedom an* you 's kind o' po', hit 'pears ISO .»' Chrismus on the Plantation. Dat you want us all to leave you *cause you don't t'ink you can pay. Ef my membry has n't fooled me, seem dat whut I hyead you say. " Er in othah wo'ds, you wants us to fu'git dat you *s been kin', An* ez soon ez you is he'pless, we 's to leave you hyeah behin'. Well, ef dat 's de way dis freedom ac's on peo- ple, white er black. You kin jes' tell Mistah Lincum fu' to tek his freedom back. " We gwine wo'k dis ol' plantation fu* whatevah we kin git, Fu* I know hit did suppo't us, an* de place kin do it yit. Now de land is yo*s, de hands is ouahs, an' I reckon we '11 be brave, An* we '11 bah ez much ez you do w'en we has to scrape an' save," 151 Pi r I Lyrics of the Hearthside. 01' Mastah stood dah trimblin', but a-smilin' thoo his teahs, An' den hit seemed jes' nachul-Iike, de place fah rung wid cheahs, An' soon ez dey was quiet, some one sta'ted sof an' low : ** Praise God," an' den we all jined in, " from whom all blessin's flow! " Well, dey was n't no use tryin', ouah min's was sot to stay, An' po' ol' Mastah could n't plead ner baig, ner drive us 'way. An' all at once, hit seemed to us, de day was bright agin. So evahone was gay dat night, an' watched de Chrismus in. tf. 152 -smilin* e place sta'ted , " from in's was aig, ner [Jay was :hed de ' Angelina. ANGELINA. WHEN de fiddle gits to singin* out a oV Vahginny reel, An' you 'mence to feel a ticklin' in yo* toe an* in yo' heel ; Ef you t'ink you got 'uligion an' you wants to keep it, too, You jes' bettah tek a hint an' git yo'self clean out o' view. Case de time is mighty temptin' when de chune is in de swing, Fu' a darky, saint or sinner man, to cut de pigeon- wing. An* you could n't he'p fom dancin' ef yo' feet was boun' wif twine. When Angelina Johnson comes a-swingin' down de line. Don't you know Miss Angelina? She's de da'lin' of de place. W'y, dey ain't no high-toned lady wif sich man- nahs an' sich grace, 153 's I f' '■ ■ a! 1i 'f . H Lyrics of the Hearthside. She kin move across de cabin, wif its planks all rough an' wo* ; Jes* de same 's ef she was dancin' on ol* mistus* ball-room flo'. Fact is, you do' see no cabin — evaht'ing you see look grand, An* dat one ol' squeaky fiddle soun* to you jes* lak a ban* ; Cotton britches look lak broadclof an* a linsey dress look fine, When Angelina Johnson comea a-swingin* down de line. Some folks say dat dancin *s sinful, an* de blessed Lawd, dey say, Gwine to purnish us fu' steppin* w*en we hyeah de music play. But I tell you I don' b'lieve it, fu* de Lawd is wise and good. An* he made de banjo's metal an* he made de fiddle*s wood, An' he made de music in dem, so I don* quite t*ink he '11 keer 154 anks all mistus* ing you you jes* a linsey n* down i blessed re hyeah Lawd is made de an' quite Angelina. Ef our feet keeps time a little to de melodies we hyeah. W'y, dey 's somep'n' downright holy in de way our faces shine, When Angelina Johnson comes a-swingin' down de line. Angelina steps so gentle, Angelina bows so low. An' she lif huh sku't so dainty dat huh shoetop skacely show : An' dem teef o' huh'n a-shinin', ez she tek you by de han' — Go 'way, people, d' ain't anothah sich a lady in de Ian' ! When she 's movin' thoo de figgers er a-dancin' by huhse'f, Folks jes' Stan' stock-still a-sta'in', an' dey mos* nigh hoi's dey bref ; An' de young mens, dey's a-sayin', " I's gwine mek dat damsel mine," When Angelina Johnson comes a-swingin' down de line. ^SS 1-^ ■••*"•■ m^-vimi^ *••»«. «»»-/i». n .i. mt > m t ito «>' .» »» «< . »«» »p< 'c^TA '\i \i Lyrics of the Hearthside. FOOLIN' WID DE SEASONS. SEEMS lak folks Is mighty curus In de way dey t'inks an' ac's. Dey jes' span's dey days a-mixin' Up de t'ings in almanacs. Now, I min' my nex' do' neighbour, — He *s a mighty likely man, But he nevah t'inks o' nufifin 'Ceptiii jes' to plot an' plan. I All de wintah he was plannin* ' How he 'd gethah sassafras Jes' ez soon ez evah Springtime Put some greenness in de grass. An' he 'lowed a little soonah He could Stan' a coolah breeze So 's to mek a little money F'om de sugah-watah trees. 156 I'. ; ■ Foolin* wid de Seasons. In de summah, he VI be waihin' Out de linin' of his soul, Try 'n' to ca'ci'late an' fashion How he 'd git his wintah coal : An' I b'lieve he got his jedgement Jes' so tuckahed out an' thinned Dat he fought a robin's whistle Was de whistle of de wind. Why won't folks gin up dey plannin', An' jes' be content to know Dat dey 's gittin' all dat 's fu' dem In de days dat come an' go? Why won't folks quit movin' forrard? Ain't hit bettah jes' to stan' An' be satisfied wid livin' In de season dat 's at han' ? Hit 's enough fu' me to listen W'en de birds is singin' 'roun', *Dout a-guessin' whut '11 happen W'en de snow is on de groun'. 157 [»'v4iiC-W. Wi»« *ii4 A.^' y.*^, *k # «%-««•# >«^Vii'tV„l^Uk.*.H<- 4-'A'W-'\%'"r- (, "i .■*AiMtt. v^.».if tp-a-^ 'j-'fc^^fc*.' -•^■•f '»vA^«i«^^ . .^ I il Lyrics of the Hearthside. In de Springtime an' de sumraah, I lays sorrer on de she'f ; An' I knows ol' Mistah Wintah Gwine to hustle fu' hisse'f. ^■ii We been put hyeah fu' a pu'pose, But de questun dat has riz An' made lots o' people diffah Is jes' whut dat pu'pose is. Now, accordin* to my reas'nin', Hyeah 's de p'int whaih I 's arriv, Sence de Lawd put life into us, We was put hyeah fu' to live ! H I 158 My Sort o' Man. MY SORT O' MAN. I DON'T believe in 'ristercrats An' never did, you see ; The plain ol' homelike sorter folks Is good enough fur me. O* course, I don't desire a man To be too tarnal rough, But then, I think all folks should know When they air nice enough* Now there is folks in this here world, From peasant up to king, Who want to be so awful nice Th*»j H'edo the thing. That jev.: the thing that makes me sick. An' qni: er 'n a wink 1 ac li u V :i that them same folks Ain't half so good 's you think. 159 .» J. .*..•> 't I Lyrics of the Hearthside. I like to see a man dress nice, In clothes becomin' too ; I like to see a woman fix As women orter to do ; An* boys an' gals I like to see Look fresh an' young an' spry,- We all must have our vanity An* pride before we die. t^- But I jedge no man by his clothes, — Nor gentleman nor tramp ; The man that wears the finest suit May be the biggest scamp. An* he whose limbs air clad in rags That make a mournful sight, In life's great battle may have proved A hero in the fight. 1 I don't believe in 'ristercrats ; I like the honest tan That lies upon the heathful cheek An' speaks the honest man ; 1 60 ,.V-^. r-- » —• ♦ . / •*"- • « ■%•<'.-*,«*( *■ My Sort o* Man. I like to grasp the brawny hand That labor's lips have kissed, For he who has not labored here Life's greatest pride has missed : The pride to feel that yore own strength Has cleaved fur you the way To heights to which you were not born, But struggled day by day. What though the thousands sneer an* scoff, An' scorn yore humble birth ? Kings are but puppets ; you are king By right o' royal worth. ed ■1 The man who simply sits an' waits Fur good to come along, Ain't worth the breath that one would take To tell him he is wrong. Fur good ain't tiowin' round this world Fur every fool to sup ; You 've got to put yore see-ers on, An' go an' hunt it up. " i6i ■Ir fi Ml' n U ;ff ' Lyrics of the Hearthside. Good goes with honesty, I say, To honour an' to bless ; To rich an' poor alike it brings A wealth o* happiness. The 'ristercrats ain't got it all. Fur much to their su 'prise. That *s one of earth's most blessed things They can't monopolize. 162 Possum. POSSUM. EF dey 's anyt'ing dat riles me An* jes' gits me out o' hitch, Twell I want to tek my coat off, So 's to r'ar an' far an' pitch, Hit 's to see some ign'ant white man 'Mittin* dat owdacious sin — Wen he want to cook a possum Tekin' off de possum* s bkin. W'y, dey ain't no use in talkin', Hit jes' hu'ts me to de hea't Fu' to see dem foolish people Th'owin' 'way de fines' pa't. W'y, dat skin is jes' ez tendah An' ez juicy ez kin be ; I knows all erbout de critter — Hide an' haih — don't talk to me ! 163 Lyrics of the Hearthside. i r ■■. Possum skin is jes lak shoat skin ; Jes* you swinge an* scrope it down, Tek a good sha'p knife an' sco' it, Den you bake it good an' brown. Huh-uh ! honey, you 's so happy Dat yo' thoughts is 'mos' a sin When you 's settin' dah a-chawin' On dat possum's crackUn' skin. \> f i i' If i ' i . i 1 ii White folks t'ink dey know 'bout eatin', An' I reckon dat dey do Sometimes git a Uttle idee Of a middHn' dish er two ; But dey ain't a t'ing dey knows of Dat I reckon cain't be beat W'en we set down at de table To a unskun possum's meat ! 164 - 1 i it i On tne Road. ON THE ROAD. T 'S boun* to see my gal to-night — -*■ Oh, lone de way, my dearie ! De moon ain't out, de stars ain't bright Oh, ione de way, my dearie ! Dis hoss o' mine is pow'ful slow. But when I does git to yo' do' Yo' kiss '11 pay me back, an' mo'. Dough lone de way, my dearie. / De night is skeery-lak an' still — Oh, lone de way, my dearie ! 'Cept fu' dat mou'nful whippo'will — Oh, lone de way, my dearie ! De way so long wif dis slow pace, 'T 'u'd seem to me lak savin' grace Ef you was on a nearer place, Fu' lone de way, my dearie. i6.S rr^ r 1 Lyrics of the Hearthside. I hyeah de hootin' of de owl — Oh, lone de way, my dearie ! I wish dat watch-dog would n't howl - Oh, lone de way, my dearie ! An' evaht'ing, bofe right an' lef , Seem p'int'ly lak hit put itse'f In shape to skeer me half to def — Oh, lone de way, my dearie ! I whistles so 's I won't be feared — Oh lone de way, my dearie 1 But anyhow I 's kin' o' Siieered, Fu' lone de way, my dearie. De sky been lookin' mighty glum, But you kin mtk hit lighten some, Ef you '11 jes' say you 's glad I come, Dough lone de way, my dearie. if i66 A Death Song, A DEi^TH SONG. LAY me down beneaf de willers in de grass, Whah de branch '11 go a-singin* as it pass. An' w'en I 's a-layin' low, I kin hyeah it as it go Singin', " Sleep, -iv honey, tek yo' res' at las'." Lay me nigh to whah hit meks a little pool. An' de watah stan's so quiet lak an' cool, Whah de little birds in spring, "Ust to come an' drink an' sing, An' de chillen waded on dey way to school. Let me settle w'en my shouldahs draps dey load Nigh enough to hyeah de noises in de road ; Fu' I t'ink de las' long res' Gwine to soothe my sperrit bes' Ef I 's layin' 'mong de t'ings I 's alius knowed. 167 '|ii m^ Lyrics of the Hearthside m .!'! il; !l V, A BACK-LOG SONG. DE axes has been ringin' in de woods de blessid day, An' de chips has been a-fallin* fa' an* thick ; Dey has cut de bigges* hick'ry dat de mules kin tote away, An' dey's laid hit down and soaked it in de crik. Den dey tuk hit to de big house an' dey piled de wood erroun' In de fiah-place f om ash-flo' to de flue, While ol' Ezry sta'ts de hymn dat evah yeah has got to soi.n' When de back-log fus' commence a-bu'nin' thoo. or Mastah is a-smilin' on de da'kies f om de hall, or Mistus is a-stannin' in de do*, i68 oods de thick ; fiules kin it in de dey piled flue, :vah yeah a-bu'nin' ;s f om de A Back-Log Song. An' de young folks, males an' misses, is a-tryin*, one an' all, Fu' to mek is feel hit 's Chrismus time fu' sho*. An' ouah hea'ts are full of pleasure, fu' we know de time is ouahs Fu' to dance er do jes' whut we wants to do. An' dey ain't no ovahseer an' no othah kind o' powahs Dat kin stop us while dat log is bu'nin thoo. Dey 's a-wokin' in de qua'tahs a-pieparin' fu' de feas'. So de little pigs is feelin' kind o' shy. De chickens ain't so trus'ful ez dey was, to say de leas'. An' de wise ol' hens is roostin' mighty high. You could n't git a gobblah fu' to look you in de face — I ain't sayin' whut de tu'ky 'spects is true ; But hit's mighty dange'ous tiav'lin' fu' de critters on de place F'om de time dat log commence a bu'nin' thoo. 169 n:-'i 'Hi i." ;^f:i: Lyrics of the Hearthside. Some one ';i tunin' up his fiddle dah, I hyeah a banjo's ring, An', bless me, dat 's de tootin' of a ho'n 1 Now dey '11 evah one be runnin' dat has got a foot to fling, An' dey '11 dance a:i' frolic on f *om now 'twell mo'n. Plunk de banjo, scrap de fiddle, blow dat ho'n yo' level bes', Keep yo' min' erpon de chune an' step it true. Oh, dey ain't no time fu' stoppin' an' dey ain't no time fu' res', Fu' hit 's Chrismus an' de back-log 's bu'nin' thoo! !i <; 170 «. .•- • LulUby. LULLABY. BEDTIME 'S come fu' little boys. Po' little lamb. Too tiahed out to make a noise, Po* little lamb. You gwine t' have to-morrer sho* ? Yes, you tole me dat befo'. Don't you fool me, chile, no mo', Po' little lamb. You been bad de livelong day, Po' little lamb. ^ Th'owin' stones an' runnin' 'way, Po* little lamb. My, but you 's a-runnin' wil', Look jes' lak some po' folks chile ; Mam' gwine whup you atteT while, Po' little lamb. Come hyeah ! you mos' tiahed to def, Po' little lamb. 171 IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 1.25 miM 12.5 ■ 50 ■^" ■■■ ■^ IM 12.2 ^ ti& IIIIIM 1.4 Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WIST MAIN STMIT WnSTIR.N.Y. USSO ( 71* ) •72-4503 s <^ I* ■ l.h ' * ^ : ^; I It it m Lyrics of the Hearthside. Played yo*se*f clean out o* bref, Po* little lamb. See dem han*s now — sich a sight ! Would you evah b'lieve dey *s white? Stan* still twell I wash 'em right, Po' little lamb. Jes* cain't hoi' yo' haid up straight, Po* little lamb. Had n't oughter played so late, Po' little lamb. Mammy do' know whut she 'd do, Ef de chillun's all lak you ; You 's a caution now fu' true, Po' little lamb. Lay yo* haid down in my lap, Po' little lamb. Y* ought to have a right good slap, Po' llLtle lamb. You been runnin' roun' a heap. Shet dem eyes an' don't you peep, Dah now, dah now, go to sleep, Po' little lamb. 172 k^,-):; The Photograph. THE PHOTOGRAPH. SEE dis pictyah in my han' ? Dat *s my gal ; Ain't she purty? goodness Ian' ! Huh name Sal. Dat's de very way she be — Kin' o' tickles me to see Huh a-smilin' back at me. She sont me dis photygraph Jes' las* week ; An' aldough hit made me laugh • My black cheek Felt somethin' a-runnin' queer ; Bless yo* soul, it was a tear Jes' f 'om wishin' she was here. Often when I 's all alone Layin* here, I git t'inkin* 'bout my own Sallie dear ; 173 ,/-^ — y^ l W yW ■ ^^■■y .i ffTWHW l E i W MJ-'JIl *- ' — - li^ '^■1 1..'' Jt f Wr'' I I Lyrics of the Hearthside. How she say dat I 's huh beau, An' hit tickles me to know Dat de gal do love me so. Some bright day I 's goin' back, Fo' de la ! An' ez sho' 's my face is black, Ax huh pa Fu* de blessed little miss Who *s a-smilin' out o' dis Pictyah, lak she wan'ed a kiss ! 174 Jealous. JEALOUS. HYEAH come Caesar Higgins, Don't he think he 's fine ? Look at dem new riggin's Ain't he tryin' to shine ? Got a standin' collar An' a stove-pipe hat, I '11 jes' bet a dollar Some one gin him dat. Don't one o' you mention, Nothin* 'bout his does, Don't pay no attention, Er let on you knows Dat he 's got 'em on him. Why, *t '11 mek him sick, Jes go on an* sco'n him. My, ain't dis a trick ! 175 ' ^■*»=i^s^ ^l Lyrics of the Hearthside. Look hyeah, whut 's he doin' Lookin' t' othah way? Dat ere move 's a new one, Some one call him, " Say ! " Can't you see no pusson — Puttin' on you' airs, Sakes alive, you 's wuss'n Dese hyeah millionaires. 'U Need n't git so flighty. Case you got dat suit. Dem does ain't so mighty, — Second hand to boot, I 's a-tryin* to spite you ! Full of jealousy ! Look hyeah, man, I '11 fight you. Don't you fool wid me ! 1 I 176 V-. IWtcd. PARTED. DE breeze is blowin* 'cross de bay. My lady, my lady ; De ship hit teks me far away, My lady, my lady. Ole Mas' done sol' me down de stream ; Dey tell me 't ain't so bad 's hit seem, My lady, my lady. O' co'se I knows dat you '11 be true, My lady, my lady ; But den I do* know whut to do. My lady, my lady. I knowed some day we 'd have to pa't, But den hit put' nigh breaks my hea't, My lady, my lady. 13 177 i it ( iii !■■; U U ■'li 'II if I i.- (J. I! Lyrics of the Hearthslde. De day is long, de night is black, My lady, my lady ; I know you '11 wait twell I come back, My lady, my lady. I '11 Stan' de ship, I '11 stan' de chain. But I '11 come back, my darlin' Jane, My lady, my lady. Jes* wait, jes' b'Heve in whut I say. My lady, my lady ; D' ain't nothin* dat kin keep me *way, My lady, my lady. A man 's a man, an' love is love ; God knows ouah hea'ts, my little dove ; He '11 he'p us fom his th'one above. My lady, my lady. 178 Temptation. TEMPTATION. I DONE got 'uligion, honey, an' I *s happy ez a king ; Evahthing I see erbout me 's jes' lak sunshine in de spring ; An* it seems lak I do' want to do anothah blessid thing But jes' run an' tell de neighbours, an* to shout an' pray an' sing. I done shuk my fis' at Satan, an' I 's gin de worl' ^ my back; I do* want no hendrin* causes now a-both'rin' in my track ; Fu' I *s on my way to glory, an' I feels too sho' to miss. W'y, dey ain't no use in sinnin* when 'uligion 's sweet ez dis. 179 »»^ j«S^« f% y» ■♦**-• sSi«aF#4w>>.*4 p I V. I \m Si V '■I fmj^'ii III «' 1 I n U Lyrics of the Hearthside. Talk erbout a man backslidin' w'en he 's on de gospel way ; No, suh, I done beat de debbil, an* Temptation *s los' de day. Gwine to keep my eyes right straight up, gwine to shet my eahs, an' see Whut ole projick Mistah Satan 's gwine to try to wuk on me. Listen, whut dat soun' I hyeah dah? 'tain't no one commence to sing ; It 's a fiddle ; git erway dah ! don* you hyeah dat blessid thing? W*y, dat *s sweet ez drippin* honey, *cause, you knows, I draws de bow, An* when music 's sho* 'nough music, I *s de one dat *s sho* to know. W*y, I *s done de double shuffle, twell a body could n't res*, Jes* a-hyeahin* Sam de fiddlah play dat chune his level bes* ; i8o Ki^ Temptation. I could cut a mighty caper, I could gin a mighty fling Jes* right now, I *s mo' dan suttain I could cut de pigeon wing. Look hyeah, whut's dis I 's been sayin' ? whut on urf 's tuk holt o' me ? Dat ole music come nigh runnin' my 'uligion up a tree ! Cleah out wif dat dah ole fiddle, don' you try dat trick agin ; Did n't think I could be tempted, but you lak to made me sin 1 i '1 i8i ^ .. •.* , ^rt--. , »,.- y,.v- V - Lyrics of the Hearthside. POSSUM TROT. t-^'M I in ■k I'VE journeyed 'roun' consid'able, a-seein' men an' things, An* I 've learned a little of the sense that meetin' people brings ; But in spite of all my travellin', an' of all I think I know, I 've got one notion in my head, that I can't git to go ; An' it is .hat the folks I meet in any other spot Ain't half so good as them I knowed back home in Possum Trot. m'.i ii I know you *ve never heerd the name, it ain't a famous place, An' I reckon ef you'd search the map you could n't find a trace Of any sich locality as this I 've named to you ; But never mind, I know the place, an' I love it dearly too. 182 Possum Trot. It don't make no pretensions to bein' great or fine, The circuses don't come that way, they ain't no railroad line. It ain't no great big city, where the schemers plan an' plot, But jest a little settlement, this place called Possum Trot. But don't you think the folks that lived in that outlandish place Were ignorant of all the things that go for sense or grace. Why, there was Hannah Dyer, you may search this teemin' earth An' never find a sweeter girl, er one o' greater worth ; An' Uncle Abner Williams, a-leanin' on his staff, It seems like I kin hear him talk, an' hear hib hearty laugh. His heart was big an' cheery as a sunny acre lot, Why, that 's the kind o' folks we had down there at Possum Trot. 183 1 1 i''.^ fi t ■ . V I ■ il rl Lyrics of the Hearthside. Good times ? Well, now, to suit my taste, — an* I 'm some hard to suit, — There ain't been no sich pleasure sence, an' won't be none to boot. With huskin' bees m Harvest time, an' dances later on. An' singin' school, an taffy pulls, an* fun from night till dawn. Revivals come in winter time, baptizin's in the spring, You 'd ought to seen those people shout, an' heerd 'em pray an' sing; You 'd ought to 've heard ole Parson Brown a-throwin' gospel shot Among the saints an' sinners in the days of Possum Trot. We live up in the city now, my wife was bound to come ; I hear aroun' me day by day the endless stir an' hum. I reckon that it done me good, an' yet it done me harm, 184 r m^ , Possum Trot. That oil was found so plentiful down there on my ole farm. We Ve got a new-styled preacher, our church is new-styled too, An* I've come down from what I knowed to rent a cushioned pew. But often when I 'm settin' there, it 's' foolish, like as not. To think of them ol* benches in the church at Possum Trot. I know that I 'm ungrateful, an' sich thoughts must be a siu,. But I find myself a wishin' that the times was back agin. With the huskin's an* the frolics, an' the joys I used to know, When I lived at the settlement, a dozen years ago. I don't feel this way often, I 'm scarcely ever glum. For life has taught me how to take her chances as they come. i8s i I SB5TP — r Lyrics of the Hearthside. But now an' then my mind goes back to that ol' buryin' plot, v That holds the dust of some I loved, down there at Possum Trot. ■' •' ' I' i86 'I ■ Dely. DELY. JES' lak toddy wahms you thoo* Sets yo* haid a reelin*, Meks you ovah good and new, Dat *s de way I 's feelin*. Seems to me hit 's summah time, Dough hit 's wintah reely, I *s a feelin' jes* dat prime — An' huh name is Dely. Dis hyeah love 's a cu*rus thing, Changes 'roun* de season, Meks you sad or meks you sing, 'Dout no urfly reason. Sometimes I go mopin' 'roun', Den agin I *s leapin' ; Sperits alius up an' down Even when I 's sleepin'. 187 >/^'- r I II; :<> ^•1 M 'h- rl( J i Ip m m III ' K^ft '•- ' ^■ N Lyrics of the Hearthside. Fu' de dreams comes to me den, An' dey keeps me pitchin', Lak de apple dumplin's w'en Bilin' in de kitchen. Some one sot to do me hahm, Tryin' to ovahcome me, Ketchin' Dely by de ahm ' " So 's to tek huh f om me. Mon, you bettah b'lieve I fights (Dough hit 's on'y seemin') ; I 's a hittin' fu* my rights Even w'en I 's dreamin'. But I 'd let you have 'em all, Give 'em to you freely. Good an' bad ones, great an' small, So 's you leave me Dely. Dely got dem meltin' eyes. Big an' black an' tendah. , Dely jes' a lady-size, Delikit an' slendah. i88 Dely. Dely brown ez brown kin be An' huh haih is curly ; Oh, she look so sweet to me, — - Bless de precious girlie ! Dely brown ez brown kin be, She ain' no muUatter ; She pure cuUud, — don* you see Dat' s jes' whut *s de mattah? Dat *s de why I love huh so, D' ain't no mix about huh, Soon 's you see huh face you know D' ain't no chanst to doubt huh. Folks dey go to chu'ch an' pray So *s to git a blessin'. Oomph, dey bettah come my way, Dey could lu'n a lesson. Sabbaf day I don' go fu', Jes* to see my pigeon ; I jes' sets an' looks at huh, Dat 's enuff 'uligion. • . Lyrics of the Hearthside. But she looked so sweet an* pearti That a idee struck my head ; So I up an* slowly said : " Woman whistlin* brings shore harm. Jest one thing '11 break the charm.** " And what 's that? " •' Oh my ! '* says I, « I don*t like to tell you." " Why? *' Says Susanner. " Well, you see It would kinder fall on me.'* Course I knowed that she *d insist, — So I says : ** You must be kissed By the man that heard you whistle ; Everybody says that this *11 Break the charm and set you free From the threat'nin* penalty.*' She was blushin* fit to kill, But she answered, kinder still : " I don't want to have no harm. Please come, Ben, an* break the charm.** Did I break that charm ? — oh, well. There *s some things I must n't tell, I remember, afterwhile. Her a-sayin* with a smile : i 192 Breaking the Charm. " Oh, you quit, — you sassy dunce, You jest caught me whistlin' once^* Ev'ry sence that when I hear Some one whistlin' kinder clear, I most break my neck to see Ef it *s Susy ; but, dear me, I jest find I 've b'en to chase Some blamed boy about the place. Dad *s b'en noticin' my way, An* last night I heerd him say : "We must send fur Dr. Glenn, Mother ; somethin 's wrong with Ben ! " n 93 Lyrics of the Hearthside. ■^ m HUNTING SONG. TEK a cool night, good an* cleah, SkilF o' snow upon de groun' ; Jes* 'bout fall-time o' de yeah Wen de leaves is dry an' brown ; Tek a dog an' tek a axe, Tek a lantu'n in yo' han', Step light whah de switches cracks, Fu' dey 's huntin' in de Ian'. Down thoo de valleys an' ovah de hills, Into de woods whah de 'simmon-tree grows, Wakin' an' skeerin' de po' whippo'wills, Huntin' fu' coon an' fu' 'possum we goes. I ■! I if' Blow dat ho'n dah loud an' strong. Call de dogs an' da'kies neah ; Mek its music deah an' long, So de folks at home kin hyeah. 194 ^ ^/r Hunting Song. Blow it twell de hills an' trees Sen's de echoes tumblin' back ; Blow it twell de back'ard breeze Tells de folks we 's on de track. Coons is a-ramblin' an' 'possums is out ; Look at dat dog ; you could set on his tail I Watch him now— steady, — min' — what you 's about, Bless me, dat animal 's got on de trail 1 Listen to him ba'kin' now 1 Dat means bus'ness, sho 's you bo'n ; Ef he 's struck de scent I 'low Dat ere 'possum 's sholy gone. Knowed dat dog fu' fo'teen yeahs, An' I nevah seed him fail Wen he sot dem flappin' eahs An' went off upon a trail. Run, Mistah 'Possum, an' run, Mistah Coon, No place is safe fu' yo' ramblin' to-night ; Mas' gin' de iantu'n an' God gin de moon. An' a long hunt gins a good appetite. 195 l If Lyrics of the Hearthside. Look hyeah, folks, you hyeah dat change ? Dat ba'k is sha'per dan de res'. Dat ere soun' ain't nothin' strange, — Dat dog 's talked his level bes'. Somep'n' 's treed, I know de soun'. Dah now, — wha 'd I tell you ? see ! Dat ere dog done run him down ; Come hyeah, he'p cut down dis tree. Ah, Mistah 'Possum, we got you at las' — Need n't play daid, laying dah on de groun' ; Fros' an' de 'simmons has made you grow fas', — Won't he be fine when he 's roasted up brown ! ■' ' 196 e. A Letter. It change? res*. ^ ge,— bes'. un\ rou? see ! m dis tree, as' — de groun' ; ;rowfas', — I up brown 1 A LETTER. DEAR Miss Lucy : I been t'inkin' dat I 'd write you long fo' dis, But dis writin' 's mighty tejous, an' you know jes' how it is. But I 's got a little lesure, so I teks my pen in han' Fu' to let you know my feelin's since I retched dis furrin' Ian*. I 's right well, I 's glad to tell you (dough dis climate ain't to blame), An' I hopes w'en dese lines reach you, dat dey '11 fin' yo* se'f de same. Cose I'se feelin' kin' o' homesick — dat 's ez nachul ez kin be, Wen a feller 's mo'n th'ee thousand miles across dat awful sea. (Don't you let nobidy fool you 'bout de ocean bein' gran' ) I 97 Lyrics of the Hearthside. !' i ■'< I 1^; *' M I'r ?.ii ■'■^ ^ ?^ (' If you want to see de billers, you jes* view dem f om de Ian'.) 'Bout de people? We been t'inkin* dat all white folks was alak ; But dese Englishmen is diffunt, an' dey 's curus fu' a fac'. Fust, dey 's heavier an' redder in dey make-up an* dey looks, An' dey don't put salt nor pepper in a blessed t'ing dey cooks I Wen dey gin you good ol' tu'nips, ca'ots, pa*s- nips, beets, an' sich, Ef dey ain't some one to tell you, you cain't 'stinguish which is which. Wen I fought I'se eatin' chicken — you may b'lieve dis hyeah 's a lie — But de waiter beat me down dat I was eatin' rabbit pie. An' dey *d t'ink dat you was crazy — jes* a reg'- lar ravin' loon, Ef you 'd speak erbout a 'possum or a piece o* good ol' coon. O, hit 's mighty nice, dis trav'lin', an' I 's kin' o' glad I come. 198 .^• A Letter. But, I reckon, now I 's willin' fu' to tek my way back home. I done see de Crystal Palace, an' I 's hyeahd dey string- band play. But I has n't seen no banjos layin' nowhahs roun' dis way. Jes' gin ol' Jim Bowles a banjo, an' he 'd not go very fu', 'Fo' he 'd outplayed all dese fiddlers, wif dey flourish and dey stir. Evahbiddy dat I 's met wif has been monst'ous kin' an' good ; But I t'ink I 'd lak it better to be down in Jones's wood. Where we ust to have sich frolics, Lucy, you an' me an' Nelse, Dough my appetite 'ud call me, ef dey wasn't nuffin else. I 'd jes' lak to have some sweet-pertaters roasted in de skin ; I 's a-longin' fu' my chittlin's an' my mustard greens ergin ; I 's a-wishin' fu' some buttermilk, an' co'n braid, good an' brown, 199 ' Lyrics of the Hearthside. An' a drap o' good ol' bourbon fu* to wash my feelin's down ! An' I 's comin' back to see you jes' as ehly as I kin, So you better not go spa'kin' wif dat wuffless scoun'el Quin ! Well, I reckon, I mus* close now ; write ez soon 's dis reaches you ; Gi' my love to Sister Mandy an' to Uncle Isham, too. Tell de folks I sen* 'em howdy; gin a kiss to pap an' mam ; Closin* I is, deah Miss Lucy, Still Yo' Own True-Lovin' Sam. P. S. Ef you cain't mek out dis letter, lay it by erpon de she'f, An' when I git home, I '11 read, it, darlin', to you my own se'f. 200 Chrismus is A-comin'. CHRISMUS IS A-COMIN\ BONES a-gittin» achy, Back a-feelin' coP, Han's a-growin' shaky, Jes' lak I was ol'. Fros' erpon de meddah Lookin' mighty white; Snowdraps lak a feddah Slippin' down at night. Jes' keep t'ings a-hummin' Spite o' fros' an' showahs, Chrismus is a-comin* An' all de week is ouahs. Little mas' a-axin', "Who is Santy Claus?" Meks it kin' o' taxin' Not to brek de laws. Chillun 's pow'ful tryin' 201 Lyrics of the Hearthside. To a pusson's grace W*en dey go a pryin* Right on th'oo you' face Down ermong yo* feelin's ; , Jes* *pears lak dat you Got to change you' dealin's So 's to tell 'em true. t An' my pickaninny — Dreamin' in his sleep ! Come hyeah, Mammy Jinny, Come an' tek a peep, or Mas' Bob an* Missis In dey house up daih Got no chile lak dis is, D* ain't none anywhaih. Sleep, my little lammy, Sleep, you little limb. He do' know whut mammy Done saved up fu' him. Dey '11 be banjo pickin*, Dancin' all night thoo. 202 Chrismus is A-comin*. Dey '11 be lots o* chicken, Plenty tukky, too. Drams to wet yo' whistles So *s to drive out chills. Whut I keer fu' drizzles Fallin' on de hills? Jes* keep t'ings a-hummin* Spite o* col' an' showahs, Chrismus day 's a-comin', An' all de week is ouahs. 203 /I ■ Lyrics of the Hearthside. A CABIN TALE. THE YOUNG MASTER ASKS FOR A STORY. J WHUT you say, dah ? huh, uh ! chile, You 's enough to dribe me wile. Want a sto'y ; jes* hyeah dat ! Whah'MlIgitasto'yat? Di'n' I tell you th'ee las' night? Go *way, honey, you ain't right. I got somep'n* else to do, 'Cides jes* tellin* tales to you. Tell you jes' one ? Lem me see Whut dat one *s a-gwine to be. When you 's ole, yo membry fails ; Seems lak I do* know no tales. Well, set down dah in dat cheer, Keep still ef you wants to hyeah. Tek dat chin up off yo' ban's, Set up nice now. Goodness lan's ! 204 ■t- "•• - -' ..iJSsrisrSlctit.:^:- A Cabin Tale. Hoi' yo'se'f up lak yo' pa. Bet nobidy evah saw Him scrunched down lak you was den High-tone boys meks high-tone men. Once dey was a ole black bah, Used to live 'roun' hyeah somewhah In a cave. He was so big He could ca'y off a pig Lak you picks a chicken up, Er yo' leetles' bit o' pup. An' he had two gread big eyes, Jes' erbout a saucer's size. Why, dey looked lak balls o' fiah Jumpin' 'roun' erpon a wiah Wen dat bah was mad ; an' laws ! But you ought to seen his paws ! Did I see 'em? How you 'spec I 's a-gwine to ricollec* Dis hyeah ya'n I 's try'n' to spin Ef you keeps on puttin' in? You keep still an' don't you cheep Less I '11 sen' you off to sleep. 205 ^-*ipr 1^ Lyrics of the Hearthside. Dis hyeah bah 'd go trompin' 'roun* Eatin' evahthing he foun' j No one could n't have a fa'm But dat bah 'u'd do 'em ha'm ; And dey could n't ketch de scamp. Anywhah he wan'ed to tramp, Dah de scoun'ei 'd mek his track, Do his du't an' come on back. He was sich a sly ole limb. Traps was jes* lak fun to him. f Now, down neah whah Mistah Bah Lived, dey w2fe a weasel dah ; But dey was n't fren's a-tall Case de weasel was so small. An* de bah 'u'd, jes' fu' sass, Tu'n his nose up w'en he 'd pass. Weasels 's small o* cose, but my I Dem air animiles is sly. So dis hyeah one says, says he, " I '11 jes' fix dat bah, you see." So he fixes up his plan An' hunts up de fa' merman. 206 \ > \i iP53»a!S^©*' A Cabin Tale. When de fa'mer see him come, He 'mence lookin' mighty glum, An' he ketches up a stick ; ^> But de weasel speak up quick : "Hoi' on, Mistah Fa*mer man, I wan' 'splain a little plan. Ef you waits, I 'U tell you whah An' jes' how to ketch ol' Bah. But I tell yow now you mus' Gin me one fat chicken fus'." Den de man he scratch his haid, Las' he say, " I '11 mek de trade." So de weasel et his hen. Smacked his mouf and says, " Well, den, Set yo' trap an' bait ternight. An' I '11 ketch de bah all right." Den he ups an* goes to see Mistah Bah, an' says, says he : "Well, fren' Bah, we ain't httn fren's. But ternight ha'd feelin' 'en's. Ef you ain't too proud to steal, We kin git a splendid meal. Cose I would n't come to you, 207 ' s I ' Lyrics of the Hearthside. But it mus' be done by two ; Hit *s a trap, but we kin beat All dey tricks an' git de meat." " Cose I 's wif you," says de bah, " Come on, weasel, show me whah." Well, dey trots erlong ontwell Dat air meat beginned to smell In de trap. Den weasel say : " Now you put yo' paw dis way While I hoi' de spring back so, Den you grab de meat an' go." Well, de bah he had to grin Ez he put his bi^ paw in. Den he juked up, but — kerbing ! Weasel done let go de spring. " Dah now," says de weasel, " dah, I done cotched you, Mistah Bah ! " O, dat bah did sno't and spout, Try'n' his bestes' to git out. But de weasel say, " Goo*-bye I Weasel small, but weasel sly." Den he tu'ned his back an* run Top de fa*mer whut he done. 208 A Cabin Tale. So de farmer come down dah, Wif a axe and killed de bah. Dah iiow, ain't dat sto'y fine ? Run erlong now, nevah min\ Want some mo', you rascal, you? No, suh ! no, suh ! dat '11 do. J 14 209 t y i w ii ii t ; M U M "1 "^ •*! "^''t' "• ■»'»"-»■«■■«-»-»■-<««•■••«■•-« »-» —.i^ -jfc. .»,.«» -». «.-<»..«.■: Lyrics of the Hearthside. I ■: AT CANDLE-LIGHTIN' TIME. WHEN I come in fom de co'n-fiel' aftah wo'kin' ha'd all day, It 's amazin' nice to fin' my suppah all erpon de way ; An' it 's nice to smell de coffee bubblin' ovah in de pot, * An' it 's fine to see de meat a-sizzlin' teasin'- lak an' hot. m 1 ;• ' ■*'■ K ^' But when suppah-time is ovah, an' de t'ings is cleahed away ; Den de happy hours dat foUer are de sweetes* of de day. When my co'ncob pipe is sta'ted, an* de smoke is drawin' piime, My ole 'oomaii says, " I reckon, Ike, it 's can- dle-lightin' time." 2IO IE. er aftah jrpon de ovah in ' teasin'- t'ings is sweetes* le smoke it 's can- At Candle-Lightin' Time. Den de chillun snuggle up to me, an' all com- mence to call, "Oh, iy, daddy, now it's time to mek de shadders on de wall." So I puts my han's togethah — evah daddy knows de way, — An' de chillun snuggle closer roun' ez I begin to say : — « Fus* thing, hyeah come Mistah Rabbit ; don* you see him wo'k his eahs? Huh, uh! dis mus' be a donkey, — look, how innercent he 'pears ! Dah 's de ole black swan a-swimmin' — ain't she got a* awful neck ? Who's dis feller dat's a-comin'? Why, dat's ole dog Tray, I 'spec' I " Dat 's de way I run on, tryin' fu' to please *em all I can ; Den I hollahs, "Now be keerful — dis hyeah las' 's de buga-man ! " 211 n ft mpBPiBssw® ^i \ I n u. ■! V-' ¥ i Lyrics of the Hearthside. An* dey runs an' hides dey faces; dey ain't skeered — dey's lettin* on : But de play ain't raaly ovah twell dat buga- man is gone. So I jes' teks up my banjo, an' I plays a little chune, An* you see dem haids come peepin* out to listen mighty soon. Den my wife says, " Sich a pappy fu' to give you sich^ fright! Jes* you go to baid, an* leave him: say yo* prayers an* say good-night.** m 1 h -'■- i 212 w i, mummmm ey ain't ,t buga- Whistling Sam. i a little out to to give say yo* WHISTLING SAM. I HAS hyeahd o' people dancin' an' I's hyeahd o' people singin'. An' I 's been 'roun' lots of othahs dat could keep de banjo ringin'; But of all de whistlin' da'kies dat have lived an' died since Ham, De whistlin'est I evah seed was ol' Ike Bates's Sam. In de kitchen er de stable, in de fiel' er mowin' hay, You could hyeah dat boy a-whistliu' pu'ty nigh a mile erway, — Puck'rin' up his ugly features 'twell you couldn't see his eyes, Den you 'd hyeah a soun' lak dis un fom dat ■ awful puckah rise: 213 ? ■ \ ■H1I"|-| iiiggns?- it^. .H'lip '.( Vl-'i' Lyrics of the Hearthside. ^inun ^^^ ^^ M'J ^^l^l^tr^^^k^^ When fley had revival meetin' an' de Lawd's good grace was flowin' On de groun* dat needed wat'rin' whaih de seeds of good was growin', While de othahs was a-singin' an* a-shoutin* right an' lef , You could hyeah dat boy a-whistlin' kin* o' sof beneaf his bref : ^>^T ^ g^^^^3 ^a h T^^j^=^=^=m^S ^ ^^=^=^=^=^^ 214 : ■ I -iaeaaammimmm ^ Lawd's haih de shoutin' i' o' sof s 33 I Whistling Sam. At de call fu' colo'ed soldiers, Sam enlisted 'mong de res' Wid de blue o' Gawd's great ahmy vvropped about his swellin' breas'. An' he laffed an' whistled loudah in his youfful joy an' glee Dat de govament would let him he'p to mek his people free. Daih was lots o' ties to bin' him, pappy, mammy, an' his Dinah,— Dinah, min' you, was his sweethea't, an' dey was n't nary finah ; But he lef 'em all, I tell you, lak a king he ma'ched away, Try'n' his level bes' to whistle, happy, solemn, choky, gay : fe ^ -V- :1: i = — # tt Ur "25^( ::t .i:i Lyrics of the Hearthside. To de front he went an' bravely fought de foe an' kep' his sperrit, An' his comerds said his whistle made *em strong when dey could hyeah it. When a saber er a bullet cut some frien' o' his'n down, An' de time 'u'd come to trench him an* de boys 'u'd gethah 'roun', An' dey couldn't sta't a hymn-tune, mebbe none o' dem 'u'd keer, Sam 'u'd whisde "Sleep in Jesus," an' he knowed de Mastah 'd hyeah. In de camp, all sad discouraged, he would cheer de hea't'j of all, When above de soun' of labour dey could hyeah his whistle call : ^ t ^EE2 m ^ w. i M: -z?- ::|: • ••0 m s 216 -€>- ■NW .SWiKr t de foe ade *em l' o' his'n m an* de ', iTiebbe an' he iild cheer lid hyeah ^ la Whistling Sam. When de cruel wah was ovah an' de boys come ma'chin' back, Dey was shouts an' cries an' blessin's all erlong dey happy track, An' de da'kies all was happy ; souls an' bodies bofe was freed. Why, hit seemed lak de Redeemah mus' 'a' been on earf indeed. Dey was gethahed all one evenin' jes' befo' de cabin do*. When dey hyeahd somebody whistlin' kin' o' sof an* sweet an' low. Dey could n't see de whistlah, but de hymn was cleah and ca'm. An' dey all stood daih a-listenin' ontwell Dinah shouted, "Sam !" An' dey seed a little da'ky way off yandah thoo de trees Wid his face all in a puckah mekin' jes' sich soun's ez dese : 217 '-' ,;»'i Lyrics of the Hearth side. HOW LUCY BACKSLID. DE times is mighty stirrin' 'mong de people up ouah way, Day 'sputin' an* dey argyin' an' fussin* night an* day; An' all dis raonst'ous trouble dat hit meks me tiahed to tell Is 'bout dat Lucy Jackson dat was sich a mighty belle. i mm \ She was de preachah's favoured, an' he tol' de chu'ch one night Dat she travelled thoo de cloud o' sin a-bearin* of a light ; But, now, I 'low he t'inkin' dat she mus* 'a' los' huh lamp. Case Lucy done backslided an* dey trouble in de camp. 218 =fK^ How Lucy Backslid. Huh daddy wants to beat huh, but huh mammy daihs him to, Fu' she lookin' at de question f om a ooman's pint o* view; An' she say dat now she would n't have it dif- f ent ef she could ; Dat huh darter only acted jes' lak any othah would. Cose you know w'en women argy, dey is mighty easy led By dey hea'ts an' don't go foolin' 'bout de reasons of de haid. So huh mammy laid de law down (she ain' reckemizin' wrong), But you got to mek erlowance fu' de cause dat go along. Now de cause dat made Miss Lucy fu' to th'ow huh grace away I 's afeard won't baih no 'spection w'en hit come to jedgement day; 219 Lyrics of the Hearthside. Do* de same t'ing been a-wo'kin' evah sence de worl' began, — De ooman disobeyin' fu' to 'tice along a man. m I Vt Ef you 'tended de revivals which we held de wintah pas', You kin rickolec' dat convuts was a-comin' thick an' fas' ; But dey ain't no use in talkin', dey was all lef in de lu'ch Wen ol' Mis' Jackson's dartah foun' huh peace an* tuk de chu'ch. '■-■ i 'D W'y, she shouted ovah evah inch of Ebenezah's flo'; Up into de preachah's pulpit an* f om dah down to de do* ; Den she hugged an* squeezed huh mammy, an* she hugged an* kissed huh dad, An* she struck out at huh sistah, people said, lak she was mad. 220 »M i.l nWWWH i. j i.-»imBi.f [ttfltaJiii*-'"^'^ ;nce de man. keld de a' thick all lef , peace nezah's 1 down ny, an* ie saidj How Lucy Backslid. I has 'tended some revivals dat was lively in my day, An* I *s seed folks git 'uligion in mos* evah kin* o* way; But I tell you, an* you b'lieve me dat 1 's speak- in* true indeed, Dat gal tuk huh 'ligion ha'dah dan de ha*dest yit I *s seed. Well, f om dat, *t was " Sistah Jackson, won't you please do dis er dat ? '* She mus' alius sta't de singin' w'en dey *d pass erroun* de hat. An* hit seemed dey was n't nuffin' in dat chu'ch dat could go by *Dout sistah Lucy Jackson had a finger in de pie. But de sayin* mighty trufeful dat hit easiah to sail Wen de sea is ca*m an' gentle dan to weathah out a gale. 221 "HHB^Sis^'S'i'' !iP- Lyrics of the Hearthside. Dat's whut made dis ooman's trouble; ef de sto'm had kep' away, She 'd 'a' had enough *uHgion fu' to lasted out huh day. 1. 1 Lucy went wid 'Lishy Davis, but w'en she jined chu'ch, you know Dah was lots o' little places dat, of cose, she could n*t go ; An* she had to gin up dancin* an' huh singin* an' huh play. — Now hit 's nachul dat sich goin's-on 'u'd drive a man away. So, w'en Lucy got so solemn, Ike he sta'ted fu* to go Wid a gal who was a sinnah an* could mek a bettah show. Lucy jes' went on to meetin' lak she did n't keer a rap. But my 'sperunce kep' me t'inkin' dah was somep'n' gwine to drap. 222 * ^> How Lucy Backslid. ; ef de ted out le jined 3se, she singin' drive a 'ted fu' mek a I't keer ih was Fu* a gal won't let 'uligion er no othah so't o' t'ing Stop huh w'en she teks a notion dat she wants a weddin' ring. You kin p'omise huh de blessin's of a happy aftah life (An' hit's nice to be a angel), but she 'd ravah be a wife. So w'en Chrismus come an* mastah gin a frolic on de lawn, Didn't 'sprise me not de littlest seein* Lucy lookin' on. An* I seed a wa'nin' lightnin* go a-flashin' f om huh eye Jest ez 'Lishy an* his new gal went a-gallivantin* by. An* dat Tildy, umph ! she giggled, an' she gin huh dress a flirt ] Lak de people she was passin' was ez common ez de dirt ; 223 WmSmSmSSmSfi I ' )■:( '! / 1 Lyrics of the Hearthside. An' de minit she was dancin', w'y dat gal put on mo' aihs Dan a cat a-tekin' kittens up a paih o' windin' staihs. She could 'fo'd to show huh sma'tness, fu' she could n't he'p but know Dat wid jes' de present dancahs she was ownah of de flo' ; But I t'ink she 'd kin' o' cooled down ef she happened on de sly Fu' to noticed dat 'ere lightnin' dat I seed in Lucy's eye. An' she would n't been so 'stonished w'en de people gin a shout, An' Lucy th'owed huh mantle back an* come a-glidin' out. Some ahms was dah to tek huh an' she fiuttahed down de flo' Lak a feddah f om a bedtick w'en de win' com- mence to blow. 224 I I gal put windin* , fu' she s ownah I ef she seed in v*en de I* come uttahed n' com- How Luc/ Backslid. Soon ez Tildy see de trouble, she jes' tu'n an* toss huh haid, But seem lak she los' huh sperrit, all huh darin'- ness was daid. Did n't cut anothah capah nary time de blessid night; But de othah one, hit looked lak could n't git enough delight. Wen you keeps a colt a-stan*nin' in de stable all along, W*en he do git out hit 's nachul he '11 be puUin* mighty strong. Ef you will tie up yo' feelin's, hyeah 's de bes* advice to tek, Look out fu' an awful loosin' w'en de string dat hoi's 'em brek. Lucy's mammy groaned to see huh, an' huh pappy sto'med an* to*, But she kep' right on a-hol'in' to de centah of de flo'. H 225 il|BBI(P?!PSP*i Lyrics of the Hearthside. So dey went an' ast de pastoh ef he could n't mek huh quit, But de tellin' of de sto'y th'owed de preachah in a fit. ^, n. \ c Tildy Taylor chewed huh hank'cher twell she'd chewed it in a hole, — All de sinnahs was rejoicin' 'cause a lamb had lef de for, An' de las* I seed o* Lucy, she an* 'Lish was side an' side : I don't blame de gal fu' dancin', an* I could n't ef I tried. t? i^ >. •• Fu* de men dat wants to ma*y ain*t a-growin' *roun' on trees, An de gal dat wants to git one sholy has to try to please. Hit 's a ha'd t'ing fu' a ooman fu' to pray an' jes* set down, An* to sacafice a husban* so *s to try to gain a crown. 226 vfmi^ couldn't preachah veil she'd amb had Lish was could n't How Lucy Backslid. Now, I don' say she was justified in follerin' huh plan; But aldough she los' huh 'ligion, yit she sholy got de man. Latah on, w'en she is suttain dat de preachah 's made 'em fas' She kin jes' go back to chu'ch an' ax fu'giveness fu' de pas' ! i-growin' as to try y an* jes* to gain a 227