Part 2

I HAIN’T FOOLIN’ HONEY.

Seed yo’ wid yo’ gal las’ night! I hain’t foolin’, honey! Had yo’ arms eroun’ her tight! I hain’t foolin’, honey! Umph! whut made yo’ squeeze her so? Jes’ bekaze yo’ am her beau? I’d bin her I’d let yo’ go! I hain’t foolin’, honey!

Seed yo’ try to steal er kiss! I hain’t foolin’, honey! An’ she slapp’d yo’ wid her fis’! I hain’t foolin’, honey! Po’ gal kooden’ hardly speak! Shocked to def wid all yo’ cheek! Go way, Gumbo, yo’s er sneak! I hain’t foolin’, honey!

Yallah, too, hain’t she Gumbo? I hain’t foolin’, honey! Reason dat yo’ love her so! I hain’t foolin’, honey! Ef she had de wooly hyah, Face ez black ez ol’ pine tah! Court her? bet yo’ wooden’, dah! I hain’t foolin’, honey!

Gwine to marry her, Gumbo? Stop yo’ foolin’, honey! What dat? say yo’ doesn’t kno’? Stop yo’ foolin’, honey! Ax’d her fo’ her hea’t an’ han’? Bet yo’ habben’ got de san’! ’Fess up, Gumbo, umph! mah lan’! I hain’t foolin’, honey!

Bet she hain’t stuck on yo’ ’tall! I hain’t foolin’, honey! Does she kiss yo’ when yo’ call? Stop yo’ foolin’, honey! Lan’ sakes, Gumbo, yo’ woan’ do! Go ’way; no, I woan’ kiss yo’! Git yo’ big foots off mah shoe! I hain’t foolin’, honey!

I doan’ kiss no rusty coon! I hain’t foolin’, honey! Who, yo’ be mah chaperoon? Hain’t you foolin’, honey? Pick mah comp’ny, whut I do! Lawd sakes, knows I doan’ want yo’! Good day, home Ise long go due! I hain’t foolin’, honey!

SLEEP.

Sleep! Cums de solemn night, An’ de day’s tuck flight! Not er bird ner coon Am er whis-lin’ choon. Sleep!

Sleep! Slo’ de hours slip ’long To de brooklet’s song, In de sof deep hush Cums de star’s sweet blush. Sleep!

Sleep! In er lonesum tone Ez he creep erlone, Cums de cricket call Fum de vine clad wall. Sleep!

Sleep! Up de hillside steep Now de moon take creep! Th’ew de cab’n loft, gleam On er coon in dream. Sleep!

A PROFUSE ENCOMIUM.

Lookin’ nice to-night, Miss Liza, Yo’s out dressed ’em all to-night. Wid dat ah so frusterkaytun Yo’ so dazzlin’ in de light! Please doan’ ’strew mah wurds fo flattah Spoken incandessenly, But! wid mutuallistic frankness ’Cep ’em fabbrykayshenly.

“Thank you, Mistah Johnsin’, Do yo’ think I look so fine? ’Deed sah, Mistah Johnsin’, Yo’ so asterroshus kine. Woan’ yo’ sot beside me An’ conversykate er while, Please doan’ hab no skooples Kaze Ize togged up in dis style.”

“Yo’s suppassed yo’se’f, Miss Liza, Quiv-vah-kay-shah-ently gran’, An’ yo’ grace dis runkshus ’kayshun Lak one fum de glory lan’. Ef yo’ hab no interjeckshuns Kaze sech ’joicin’ frollerkayshun Gibbs fellerisher-tish-shus glee.”

“’Skyoose me, Mistah Johnsin’, I doan’ kyah to mingel late, I wood raddah be specktay-shus Sotin’ hyeah wid Mistah Gate. Not dat I doan’ d’ sah yo’ tenshun An’ doan’ preeshee-ate yo’ ’’ques’, I prefer tran-quil-ler-kayshun Sotin’ lookin’ at de res’.”

“’Cep’ mah ’pology, Miss Liza, Fo’ mah troo-ser-tay-shus ’ques’. I jes ax’d yo’ fo’ politeness, Tho’t yo’d lak to jine de res’.” “’Tain’t er bit o’ trooshun, Mistah Johnsin’, not at tall! I may grant yo’ axin’ When we ’ten’ sum uddah ball.”

PEEPIN’ TH’EW DE HUSK.

Dahky, doan’ worry, Kaze de wintah’s dun gone! Craps am all er sproutin’ Soon we’ll hab de sugah co’n! Den we’ll roas’ an’ stew it An’ we’ll fry it in de pan, Th’ow de buttah on it Nufin’ fineah in de lan’!

Hain’t er gwine to worry, Needah make er bit o’ fuss! Kaze de sugah co’n Will soon be peepin’ th’ew de huss!

See de wattah milluns How dey’s cumin’ on de vine! Lawd er mussy, chillun, Puts yo’ teef erpun de grine! Mussen’ think er bout ’em, Gits mah stummuck all er jump! Hea’t er fas’ah beatin’ An’ er thumpin’! thump! thump!

Hain’t er gwine to worry, Needah make er bit o’ fuss! Kaze de sugah co’n Will soon be peepin’ th’ew de huss!

When de wattah milluns Git kervellopd on de vine, Winkin’, peepin’ at yo’, How er dahky’s eyes shine! An’ yo’ buss’ ’em open An’ yo’ see de blushin’ red, Haben’ got er minute Fo’ de bressins to be said!

Hain’t er gwine to worry, Needah make er bit o’ fuss! Kaze de sugah co’n Will soon be peepin’ th’ew de huss!

Sun ’er creepin’ higher, Am ’er gittin’ pow’ful hot! Hoein’ an’ er weedin’ Am er dahky’s tufes’ lot! To de hoe er stickin’ Till yo’ back jes’ ache an’ ache, Sun er pohin’ on yo’ Makes er dahky nahly bake!

Hain’t er gwine to worry, Needah make er bit o’ fuss! Kaze de sugah co’n Will soon be peepin’ th’ew de huss!

Mo’ yo’ keeps er hoein’ Fas’ah seems to gro’ de grass! Dahky gits to thinkin’ Hoein’ time will ebbah las’! Weedin’ an’ er hoein’ Ef er dahky was to stop, Sho’ ez am de gospel Wooden’ git er bit o’ crop!

Hain’t er gwine to worry, Needah make er bit o’ fuss! Kaze de sugah co’n Will soon be peepin’ th’ew de huss!

AXIN’, COON? CUM OBEAH.

Meadows lak er feddah bed, Sproutin’ cloveah white an’ red, Sof’ ez pillahs to de tread, Axin’, coon? Cum obeah!

Milluns loafin’ in de grass, Flirtin’ when er coon cum pass, When er look he dat way cas’, Axin’, coon? Cum obeah!

Cabbage loafin’ ’roun’ de stump, Lookin’ sassy fat an’ plump, Swellin’ up all in er bump, Axin’, coon? Cum obeah!

Coon er wockin’ at de co’n, Doh dat’s all fo’ what he’s born, Wockin, night and’ wockin’ morn, Hain’t got time cum obeah!

HUSTLE.

Doan’ lag an’ fool Erlong de way— Hus’el! Doan’ ’spec’ to do All in er day— Hus’el! Things will cum Out by an’ by, Musen’ stop To stew an’ sigh. Den’s when success May be nigh— Hus’el!

Take no time Fo’ lookin’ back— Hus’el! T’ see whose cumin’ On de track— Hus’el! Ebbry time Yo’s losin’ groun’, Time yo’ take Fo’ gawkin ’roun’. Ef yo’ ’spec’ To git er crown— Hus’el!

Ef yo’ ’spec’ Er good co’n crop— Hus’el! Nebah git it Ef yo’ stop— Hus’el! Ef yo’ ’spec’ De corn to gro’ Full co’n stawks In ebbry ro’, Doan’ be skaid To use de hoe— Hus’el!

Take no time To argufy— Hus’el! T’ make sum fellah Out er lie— Hus’el! Ha’f de time Yo’s losin’ win’, Same time doin’ Er little sin. Aftah all Yo’ nuffin in— Hus’el!

GO SLEEP.

Go sleep, li’l’ pickahninny! Go sleep! De boogahman koch yo’ Ef yo’ peep! Go sleep! He prowlin’ ’roun’ Sof’ ez er cat— He kno’ whah Li’l’ pickahninny’s at— Go sleep!

Go sleep, li’l’ pickahninny! Go sleep! Still ez er mouse When creepin’ keep— Go sleep! De boogahman Am moighty peert! He sly ol’ fox Dat’s on de ’lert! Go sleep!

Go sleep, li’l’ pickahninny! Go sleep! I hyeah de boogahman Creep, creep creep! Go sleep! He kotch er hol’ An’ shake de do’— An’ ope his mouf An’ said wo’, wo’! Go sleep!

KAZE DE SUN AM SINKIN’.

Droopy, droopy, am de flow’rs, Petals closed an’ shrinkin’, Gone er sleepin’ an’ er doze— Kaze de sun am sinkin’! All de day er lookin’ gran’ An’ er ’fumein’ up de lan’, Baskin’ now in slumbah’s stran’— Kaze de sun am sinkin’!

Droopy, droopy, am de flow’rs, Petals closed an’ shrinkin’ Peepahs shet an’ fas’ ersleep, Kaze de sun am sinkin’! Crystal brooklet glidin’ ’long Chants to dem er cradle song, Res’ an’ slumbah, weary throng— Kaze de sun am sinkin’!

Droopy, droopy am de flow’rs, Petals closed an’ shrinkin’, Lull’d ersleep in fairy realm, Kaze de sun am sinkin’! All dey tinsels tints an’ hue Dat attracts de bees an’ woo, Closed dey now am all to view— Kaze de sun am sinkin’!

Droopy, droopy, am de flow’rs, Petals closed an’ shrinkin’! Soon will wake wid birds an’ bees, When de sun’s dun sinkin’! When de sunlight mounts to view, At de tech o’ mornin’s dew Once mo’ will dey ope to view— Kaze de sun’s dun sinkin’!

SOFT FALLS THE NIGHT.

This Poem is dedicated to MISS ANNA HALL SMITH.

Soft falls the night— And chases ’way The slowly dying Summer day. The sun from his Ethereal height, Is curtained by The shades of night.

Soft falls the night— The birds that tune Their song with nature In commune Now hush their lays Seek silent rest, Within their downy Leafy nests.

Soft falls the night— Sweet peace divine In each heart comes To be enshrined, While angels pause On earth to show’r The blessings of The sovereign pow’r.

Soft falls the night— A peaceful sleep O’er earthly mortals Doth now creep. They rest now from Their day’s pursuit— The world is still, The world is mute.

Soft falls the night— The verdure green Now glistens with A dewy sheen. The flowers droop, Their petals close, They dream away In sweet repose.

Soft fades the night— Lo! breaks the dawn, And nature ’wakens With the morn, Exultingly Sends up her lays, Her symphonies, To God in praise.

GIT ON BOARD, CHILLUN.

De Gospel train am er scootin’ down de rail! Git on board, chillun! Fas’ah den er ship wid er ruddah an’ er sail! Git on board, chillun! De Lawd in heaben am de steam an’ de pow’r! He run dat train forty millun miles an’ hour! Jes’ es stroke ub de throttle Sends her clah to heaben’s tow’r! Git on board, chillun!

No sinnah tribe kin ebbah ride on dat train! Git on board, chillun! De debil ner his imps ef day’s cut loose fum dey chain! Git on board, chillun! None but de lams ub de good Lawd’s fol’ Kin ride dat train to de streets o’ gol’, Wid de ’liggun lak an’ ocean obeahflowin’ in yo’ soul! Git on board, chillun!

She’s jes’ lak lightnin’ an’ de quibbah o’ de eye! Git on board, chillun! Ez she’s puffin’ an’ er steamin’ in er trabblin’ to de sky! Git on board, chillun! She’s limited, too, an’ she goes clah th’ew! She’s got no time fo’ to fool wid yo’! Yo’ mus’ git on board, when de time cums, doo! Git on board, chillun!

Dat train hain’t skeddul fo’ de secun’ time. Git on board, chillun! Fo’ to cum an’ fotch yo’ to de heabenly clime! Git on board, chillun! She goes straight on an’ she doan’ tarn back! When she once git start why she hain’t gwine to slack! Till she runs in heab’n on de right side track! Git on board, chillun!

De debil ner his imps kaint wreck dat ol’ train! Git on board, chillun! Ez she’s dashin’ an’ er steamin’ o’er de mountains an’ de plain! Git on board, chillun! She sticks to de rail lak de hyah on yo’ back! An’ she nebbah was known fo’ to jump fum de track! Kaze de Lawd’s at de throttle an’ he sho’ got de knac’! Git on board, chillun!

UNCLE NED AN’ DE MOCKIN’ BIRD.

Bruddah Mocking Bird, Yo’s moighty lazy. Yo’ doan’ do nufin’ But sing dat song, Till de daylight’s gone An’ de night cum ’long. Er coon has got to hoe an’ hoe, Till de sinkin’ sun Tells de day to go.

Lawd, but yo’ sing So pow’ful sweet! Perched up dah, In yo’ leafy seat. Is yo’ lonesum? Does yo’ hea’t feel sad? ’Pears to me Dat yo’ soul feels glad.

Ez Ise wockin’ hard, Sweet ez de cloveah Yo’ song Floats obeah, Way in de co’nfield Whah de medlark sings, Up in de bough Ub de tree it clings.

Yo’ nebah wock But yo’ bread is sho’, Out in de yahd; ’Fo’ ebbry do’, Sum kine han’ Th’ows de little crum! Kaze dey kno’ fo’ sho’ Dat yo’ boun’ to cum.

De good Samaritan Part dey play. Let yo’ go ’way? Hungry? No! Dey nebah wood, Kase de Lawd wood say Dat dey wasn’t good.

I kinedah lak To hyeah yo’ sing, Ef yo’ is too lazy To flop yo’ wing, Sing on, Fill de worl’ wid song. I mus’ be gittin’ Mah wock er long.

PO’ LI’L’ RASTUS.

Little Rastus feelin’ blue— Po’ li’l’ Rastus! Out o’ sorts an’ gloomy, too! Po’ li’l’ Rastus! Broke his little hobby hoss. Makes de little fellah cross. Doan’ cry, honey, ’tain’ much loss. Po’ li’l’ Rastus!

He jes’ wo’ out, rompin’ ’roun’, Po’ li’l’ Rastus! Git up, honey, fum de groun’. Po’ li’l’ Rastus! Look ee dah, dun spiled yo’ dress, An’ it am yo’ Sunday bes’, Now hain’t yo’ er poody mess! Po’ li’l’ Rastus!

Whut dat stickin’ on yo’ han’? Po’ li’l’ Rastus! Yo’ bin in de ’lasses can. Po’ li’l’ Rastus! Whut dat whut de Bible say ’Bout de chile dat steal dat ’way? He’ll go whah de bad man stay! Po’ li’l’ Rastus!

Dat ol’ bad man am er sight. Po’ li’l’ Rastus! Cum er sneakin’ ’roun’ at night. Po’ li’l’ Rastus! Cum an’ koch yo’ when yo’ sleep, Den he take er great big leap! Down er hol’ dat’s way down deep! Po’ li’l’ Rastus!

Cum hyeah, little wooly head. Po’ li’l’ Rastus! Gwine to tuck yo’ way to bed. Po’ li’l’ Rastus! Look ee dah, de day dun gone! Shaddahs streamin’ th’ew de co’n, Sleep until de sunlight dawn! Po’ li’l’ Rastus!

SAMBO’S RAIN PHILOSOPHY.

Whut’s de use o’ raisin’ ’Bout de weddah, cain? Kase dey’s wid de sunshine Mixed in clouds an’ rain; Jes’ ez well be lafin’, ’Joicin’ in yo’ soul. Frettin’ an’ er stewin’ Makes yo’ gray an’ ol’.

Mussen’ ’spec’ to allus Git things jes’ yo’ way. Keep yo’ eye kock’d open On er beddah day. Learn to ’cep’ de weddah Ez de Lawd control, In time will be shinin’ Sunshine bright an’ gold.

Lawd am boun’ to sen’ de Changes now an’ den, Kaze He knows whut’s beddah Fo’ yo’ in de en’. Fus’ He sends de sunshine, Nex’ He sends de rain, To gibb life an’ viggah To de gol’en grain.

It’s de rainy weddah, Buds de flowahs out, Makes de wattahmilluns An’ de ’tayters sprout; It’s de rainy weddah Makes de fahmahs shout; Drives erway de famine, Drives erway de drout.

JES’ KEEP ER LOOKIN’ UP.

Ef yo’ fren’s dey all fo’sake yo’, Think yo’ gwine flat to de wall, Salt an’ peppah nebbah’ll save yo’ Fum an ebbah las’in’ fall.

Ef yo’ got de right stuff in yo’, You’ll keep allus lookin’ up, ’Membrin’ sum de worl’s bes’ jewels Drunk fum dis same bittah cup! Ef yo’ habben’ got er dollah, An’ no place to lay yo’ head, An’ de meadows an’ de co’n fields Only places fo’ yo’ bed;

Ef de fo’ks am cuttin’ capeahs ’Fo’ yo’ puttin’ on dey airs, Wid dey silks an’ wid dey satins, An’ all uddah kine o’ wares.

Ef yo’ got de right stuff in yo’, Yo’ll keep allus lookin up, ’Membrin’ sum de worl’s bes’ jewels Drunk fum dis same bittah cup! Dey may tramp erpun yo’ feelin’s, Dey may kick yo’ on de co’n, An’ may tarn dey nose up at yo’ Ez dey pass yo’ in dey scorn;

Smiles dey nebbah may hab fo’ yo’, Bes’ yo’ll git will be er frown, An’ sum wurds mos’ harshly spoken, Kaze dey think dat yo’ is down.

Ef yo’ got de right stuff in yo’, Yo’ll keep allus lookin’ up, ’Membrin’ sum de worl’s bes’ jewels Drunk fum dis same bittah cup! Ef fo’ bread yo’ ax er bruddah, An’ instead yo’ git er stone, An’ yo’ ax fo’ consullayshun, An’ yo’ bahly git er groan,

An’ sum knock yo’ off yo’ shins, An’ think yo’ nebah gwine to rise, Swah to God dey nebbah dun it, Meekly tell all kine o’ lies; Let ’em go on hykerflootin’, Ebbry dog sho’ habs his day; Dey am uddah months, mah bruddah, Jes’ es pleasant, ez am May.

Ef yo’ got de right stuff in yo’, Yo’ll keep allus lookin’ up, ’Membrin’ sum de worl’s bes’ jewels Drunk fum dis same bittah cup!

WISHED I’D RODE MAH HOSS.

Rode on dat ah ’lectric kyah! Wished I’d rode mah hoss! No musstake it raised mah hyah! Oddah bin er long! Nebbah seed sech runnin’ son! Swo’ we’s flyin’ to de sun! Tho’t dis dahky’s days was dun! Wished I’d rode mah hoss!

Gee! dat thing did split de ah! Wished I’d rode mah hoss! Nuffin’ wid it kin compah! Oddah bin er long! Ebbry thing wuz blurred in sight! Dus’ flew higher den er kite! Kooden’ tell de lef’ fum right! Wished I’d rode mah hoss!

When she struck eroun’ de kyerve, Wished I’d rode mah hoss! It unstrung mah ebbry nerve! Oh, but I did squirm! Oh, she kyahd us down de line! No hobo kood stuck behine! Ef he had he’d gone stone bline! Wished I’d rode mah hoss!

Now an’ den she sortah reel! Wished I’d rode mah hoss! Stirred me up fum head to heel! Lawd but I did quake! Tawk erbout er pow’ful prah! I sho’ made one den an’ dah! Strain was mo’ den I kood bah! Wished I’d rode mah hoss!

Once I hyeahd er moighty crack! Wished I’d rode mah hoss! Tho’t she’s gwine to leeb de track, Oddah seed me, Chile! I felt mos’ prekareyus, son! I hain’t tawkin’ jes’ fo’ fun! Tho’t dis dahky’s days was dun, Wished I’d rode mah hoss!

EGGS! EGGS!! EGGS!!!

When I ’fleck o’ Eastah cum, Eggs! eggs!! eggs!!! Gits mah whol’ soul all er hum. Eggs! eggs!! eggs!!! When de chickens flopp dey wings, Roostah cro’, de pullets sings, Gib me ’bove all uddah things— Eggs! eggs!! eggs!!!

When de little chicks er creep, Eggs! eggs!! eggs!!! Run kerfrolic peep! peep! peep!! Eggs! eggs!! eggs!!! Appetite gits sort impressed, Wood go good, roas’ chicken breas’, Still goes beddah, nebahless. Eggs! eggs!! eggs!!!

When eroun’ de ol’ fiah place Eggs! eggs!! eggs!!! Eggs look yo’ squah in de face, Eggs! eggs!! eggs!!! Git ’em fryin’ in de pan, Soun’ lak music o’ de ban’, Chillun? Whee! But hain’t dey gran’. Eggs! eggs!! eggs!!!

Eat ’em poach ’er eat ’em bile, Eggs! eggs!! eggs!!! Make yo’ hit yo’ granny, chile. Eggs! eggs!! eggs!!! When yo’ eat ’em scramble, son, Feel dat yo’ kood lif er ton, Er brack bar yo’ kood out run. Eggs! eggs!! eggs!!!

IT AM DE POSSUM TIME.

Weddah gittin’ chilly, Fros’ er fallin’ on de vine! Leaves er tarnin’ yallah, Now de possum time is fine!

Hickahnuts er fallin’, Wid er thud, thud, thudd! Poppin’ an’ er crackin’ An’ er bus’in out de bud!

It am de possum time! Yes, it am de possum time! It am de time er niggah Fo’ de coon to go to clime!

Crickets all er hollah Tell er niggah it’s de fall! Ripenin’ am de ’simmons Fo’ de great an’ fo’ de small! Niggah jes’ er waitin’ Fo’ de fallin’ o’ de sno’, Fo’ to chase de rabbit Ez he’s wingin’ on de go!

It am de possum time! Yes, it am de possum time! It am de time er niggah Fo’ de coon to go to clime!

When de sun’s dun sinkin’ Cums de shinin’ o’ de moon, Niggah’ll take de wahpaf Fo’ to go to tree de coon! Wid de dogs er bahkin’ All er chasein’, all er romp! Sniffin’ at de grasses An’ er scratchin’ at de stump!

It am de possum time! Yes, it am de possum time! It am de time er niggah Fo’ de coon to go to clime!

STICK TO YOUR RACE!

Umph! how some cullahd fo’ks wan’ to be white. Bekaze dey am brack dey doan’ nebah seem right. Dey’s shame ub dey cullah; dey’s shame ub dey race; Dat’s why dey wood lak to be white in de face.

Bekaze dey kain’t bleech out, O, how dey deplore, Fo’ to be cullahd to dem’s sech er bore. To think de Lawd sent dem all into dis lan’ Wif hyah dat am kinky an’ faces dat’s tan.

Fus’ to de lef an’ den nex’ to de right, Dey look to see if dey am sumfin’ in sight To make dem bleech white, gib dem cheeks ub de rose An’ sumfin’ to gib dem a high Roman noze.

Dey’s kickin’ an fussin’ an’ raisin turmoil Bekaze dey kain’t git hol’ de right kine ub oil To take way de kinky effect dey kaint bah, An’ make it jes’ lak de white folk’s auburn hyah.

Dey use mutton sooit an’ tallow, an’ lard, Oh Lward er Mussy! but don’t dey try hard! To make it look wabey an’ glossy an’ slick. Den paht in de middle dey am right to de quick. Ef dey hain’t no hope, why dey go git a wig. It mus’ be made fum white fok’s hyah, too, by jig. Umph; who; Miss Sukie? why she wooden’ dah To wah a wig made fum a coon’s nappy hyah.

Whut’s de use er kickin’ Bekaze o’ sech rot? Bekaze yo’ kain’t bleech, An’ turn white on de spot!

Ef yo’ hyah’s kinky, Yo’s brack ez de tar, Thank de good Lawd Dat yo’s jes’ lak yo’ are.

MEMORIAL DAY.

To sound of muffled drums to-day, With slow and solemn tread; The soldiers march with banners draped Where dwell heroic dead.

The blue, the gray of this fair realm Assemble o’er this land, Recount the deeds of valiant men As one vast mourning band.

The rich, the poor, the high, the low, Observe this sacred day. For all alike in days gone by Have laid some friend away. For death the mighty reaper comes To rich as well as poor. Unwelcome guest though he may be, He comes to every door.

To deck the graves of dear loved ones Beneath luxuriant bow’rs, Countless willing loving hands Pluck nature’s tender flow’rs. The tokens of a reverent love For friends of that blest vale, A love the ravages of time Can never change nor pale.

This day recalls much of the past— The nation’s bloody wars, The sacrifice of noble lives— To make dominant the stripes and stars. In philosophic narrative, In eulogy and praise, In honor of heroic dead The speaker’s voice doth raise.

And for the country’s honor fought The black man once a slave. Encouched within the history’s folds The statement, “he was brave!” Within the marching ranks to-day Are remnants of the freed Who fought and bled upon the field When ’twas the country’s need.

TRUSSY’S VISIT.

Bress mah life! why, dis hain’t Trussey? Go ’way Chile! whut dat yo’ say? Yo’ hain’t fiddlin’ Peedah’s sonny— Who’d er tho’t it, any way!

Ax me ef I knowed yo’ daddy— Knowed each uddah yeahs ergo. Me an’ him hab bof togeddah, Hoed er many ’taytah ro’.

Res’ yo’ duddin’s! take de sofa, Make yo’se’f jes’ lak yo’ home. ’Cep’ mos’ free mah hooskerpalty, Plenty time eroun’ to roam.

See, hyeah, Dina, am dem chittlins An’ dem hog feet th’ew er bile? Who yo’ think we got fo’ dinnah? Ol’ fren’ Fiddlin’ Peedah’s chile!

Well, sah, I hain’t seed yo’ daddy Since dat fight at Possum Trot. Dog mah socks, we bof togeddah, Whoop’d de debbil on de spot!

Still er libbin’ down in Guinea? Why, dat’s my ol’ rompin’ groun’. Hain’t er spot, ner nook, ner crebbice Dat I doan’ know ’bout dat town.