by Paul Laurence Dunbar
The law is usually supposed to be a stern mistress, not to be lightly wooed, and yielding only to the most ardent pursuit. But even law, like love, sits more easily on some natures than on … Read the rest
Category: Paul Laurence Dunbar
Representative American Negroes
by Paul Laurence Dunbar
In considering who and what are representative Negroes there are circumstances which compel one to question what is a representative man of the colored race. Some men are born great, some achieve greatness and others lived … Read the rest
Dream Song I
by Paul Laurence Dunbar
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,… Read the rest
Dream Song II
by Paul Laurence Dunbar
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… Read the rest
Encouragement
by Paul Laurence Dunbar
Who dat knockin' at de do'? Why, Ike Johnson,—yes, fu' sho! Come in, Ike. I 's mighty glad You come down. I t'ought you 's mad At me 'bout de othah night, An' was stayin' 'way… Read the rest
Mortality
by Paul Laurence Dunbar
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… Read the rest
The Poet and the Baby
by Paul Laurence Dunbar
… Read the restHow's a man to write a sonnet, can you tell,— How's he going to weave the dim, poetic spell,— When a-toddling on the floor Is the muse he must adore, And this muse he loves, not
Treat Me Nice
by Paul Laurence Dunbar
Treat me nice, Miss Mandy Jane, Treat me nice. Dough my love has tu'ned my brain, Treat me nice. I ain't done a t'ing to shame, Lovahs all ac's jes' de same; Don't you know we… Read the rest
Old Abe’s Conversion
by Paul Laurence Dunbar
The Negro population of the little Southern town of Danvers was in a state of excitement such as it seldom reached except at revivals, baptisms, or on Emancipation Day. The cause of the commotion was the … Read the rest
One Christmas at Shiloh
by Paul Laurence Dunbar
Martha Maria Mixon was a “widder lady.” So she described herself whenever anyone asked her as to her status in life. To her more intimate friends she confided that she was not a “weed widder,” but … Read the rest