Chapter 20

On de she'f behime de do'-- Mussy, what a feas'! Soon ez she gits out o' sight, I kin eat in peace. I bin watchin' fu' a week Des fu' dis hyeah chance. Mussy, w'en I gits in daih, I'll des sholy dance.

Lemon pie an' gingah-cake, Let me set an' t'ink-- Vinegah an' sugah, too, Dat'll mek a drink; Ef dey's one t'ing dat I loves Mos' pu'ticlahly, It is eatin' sweet t'ings an' A-drinkin' Sangaree.

Lawdy, won' po' granny raih W'en she see de she'f; W'en I t'ink erbout huh face, I's mos' 'shamed myse'f. Well, she gone, an 'hyeah I is, Back behime de do'-- Look hyeah! gran' 's done 'spected me, Dain't no sweets no mo'.

Evah sweet is hid erway, Job des done up brown; Pusson t'ink dat someun t'ought Dey was t'eves erroun'; Dat des breaks my heart in two, Oh how bad I feel! Des to t'ink my own gramma B'lieved dat I 'u'd steal!

PUTTIN' THE BABY AWAY

Eight of 'em hyeah all tol' an' yet Dese eyes o' mine is wringin' wet; My haht's a-achin' ha'd an' so', De way hit nevah ached befo'; My soul's a-pleadin', "Lawd, give back Dis little lonesome baby black, Dis one, dis las' po' he'pless one Whose little race was too soon run."

Po' Little Jim, des fo' yeahs ol' A-layin' down so still an' col'. Somehow hit don' seem ha'dly faih, To have my baby lyin' daih Wi'dout a smile upon his face, Wi'dout a look erbout de place; He ust to be so full o' fun Hit don' seem right dat all's done, done.

Des eight in all but I don' caih, Dey wa'nt a single one to spaih; De worl' was big, so was my haht, An' dis hyeah baby owned hit's paht; De house was po', dey clothes was rough, But daih was meat an' meal enough; An' daih was room fu' little Jim; Oh! Lawd, what made you call fu' him?.

It do seem monst'ous ha'd to-day, To lay dis baby boy away; I'd learned to love his teasin' smile, He mought o' des been lef' erwhile; You wouldn't t'ought wid all de folks, Dat's roun' hyeah mixin' teahs an' jokes, De Lawd u'd had de time to see Dis chile an' tek him 'way f'om me.

But let it go, I reckon Jim, 'Ll des go right straight up to Him Dat took him f'om his mammy's nest An' lef dis achin' in my breas', An' lookin' in dat fathah's face An' 'memberin' dis lone sorrerin' place, He'll say, "Good Lawd, you ought to had Do sumpin' fu' to comfo't dad!"

THE FISHER CHILD'S LULLABY

The wind is out in its rage to-night, And your father is far at sea. The rime on the window is hard and white But dear, you are near to me. Heave ho, weave low, Waves of the briny deep; Seethe low and breathe low, But sleep you, my little one, sleep, sleep.

The little boat rocks in the cove no more, But the flying sea-gulls wail; I peer through the darkness that wraps the shore, For sight of a home set sail. Heave ho, weave low, Waves of the briny deep; Seethe low and breathe low, But sleep you, my little one, sleep, sleep.

Ay, lad of mine, thy father may die In the gale that rides the sea, But we'll not believe it, not you and I, Who mind us of Galilee. Heave ho, weave low, Waves of the briny deep; Seethe low and breathe low, But sleep you, my little one, sleep, sleep.

FAITH

I's a-gittin' weary of de way dat people do, De folks dat's got dey 'ligion in dey fiah-place an' flue; Dey's allus somep'n comin' so de spit'll have to turn, An' hit tain't no p'oposition fu' to mek de hickory bu'n. Ef de sweet pertater fails us an' de go'geous yallah yam, We kin tek a bit o' comfo't f'om ouah sto' o' summah jam. W'en de snow hit git to flyin', dat's de Mastah's own desiah, De Lawd'll run de wintah an' yo' mammy'll run de fiah.

I ain' skeered because de win' hit staht to raih and blow, I ain't bothahed w'en he come er rattlin' at de do', Let him taih hisse'f an' shout, let him blow an' bawl,

Dat's de time de branches shek an' bresh-wood 'mence to fall. W'en de sto'm er railin' an' de shettahs blowin' 'bout, Dat de time de fiah-place crack hits welcome out. Tain' my livin' business fu' to trouble ner enquiah, De Lawd'll min' de wintah an' my mammy'll min' de fiah.

Ash-cake allus gits ez brown w'en February's hyeah Ez it does in bakin' any othah time o' yeah. De bacon smell ez callin'-like, de kittle rock an' sing, De same way in de wintah dat dey do it in de spring; Dey ain't no use in mopin' 'round an' lookin' mad an' glum Erbout de wintah season, fu' hit's des plumb boun' to come;

An' ef it comes to runnin' t'ings I's willin' to retiah, De Lawd'll min' de wintah an' my mammy'll min' de fiah.

THE FARM CHILD'S LULLABY

Oh, the little bird is rocking in the cradle of the wind, And it's bye, my little wee one, bye; The harvest all is gathered and the pippins all are binned; Bye, my little wee one, bye; The little rabbit's hiding in the golden shock of corn, The thrifty squirrel's laughing bunny's idleness to scorn; You are smiling with the angels in your slumber, smile till morn; So it's bye, my little wee one, bye.

There'll be plenty in the cellar, there'll be plenty on the shelf; Bye, my little wee one, bye; There'll be goodly store of sweetings for a dainty little elf; Bye, my little wee one, bye. The snow may be a-flying o'er the meadow and the hill, The ice has checked the chatter of the little laughing rill, But in your cosey cradle you are warm and happy still; So bye, my little wee one, bye.

Why, the Bob White thinks the snowflake is a brother to his song; Bye, my little wee one, bye; And the chimney sings the sweeter when the wind is blowing strong; Bye, my little wee one, bye; The granary's overflowing, full is cellar, crib, and bin, The wood has paid its tribute and the ax has ceased its din; The winter may not harm you when you're sheltered safe within; So bye, my little wee one, bye.

THE PLACE WHERE THE RAINBOW ENDS

There's a fabulous story Full of splendor and glory, That Arabian legends transcends; Of the wealth without measure, The coffers of treasure, At the place where the rainbow ends.

Oh, many have sought it, And all would have bought it, With the blood we so recklessly spend; But none has uncovered, The gold, nor discovered The spot at the rainbow's end.

They have sought it in battle, And e'en where the rattle Of dice with man's blasphemy blends; But howe'er persuasive, It still proves evasive, This place where the rainbow ends.

I own for my pleasure, I yearn not for treasure, Though gold has a power it lends; And I have a notion, To find without motion, The place where the rainbow ends.

The pot may hold pottage, The place be a cottage, That a humble contentment defends, Only joy fills its coffer, But spite of the scoffer, There's the place where the rainbow ends.

Where care shall be quiet, And love shall run riot, And I shall find wealth in my friends; Then truce to the story, Of riches and glory; There's the place where the rainbow ends.

HOPE

De dog go howlin' 'long de road, De night come shiverin' down; My back is tiahed of its load, I cain't be fu' f'om town. No mattah ef de way is long, My haht is swellin' wid a song, No mattah 'bout de frownin' skies, I'll soon be home to see my Lize.

My shadder staggah on de way, It's monstous col' to-night; But I kin hyeah my honey say "W'y bless me if de sight O' you ain't good fu' my so' eyes." (Dat talk's dis lak my lady Lize) I's so'y case de way was long But Lawd you bring me love an' song.

No mattah ef de way is long, An' ef I trimbles so' I knows de fiah's burnin' strong, Behime my Lizy's do'. An' daih my res' an' joy shell be, Whaih my ol' wife's awaitin' me-- Why what I keer fu' stingin' blas', I see huh windah light at las'.

APPRECIATION

My muvver's ist the nicest one 'At ever lived wiz folks; She lets you have ze mostes' fun, An' laffs at all your jokes.

I got a ol' maid auntie, too, The worst you ever saw; Her eyes ist bore you through and through,-- She ain't a bit like ma.

She's ist as slim, as slim can be, An' when you want to slide Down on ze balusters, w'y she Says 'at she's harrified.

She ain't as nice as Uncle Ben, What says 'at little boys Won't never grow to be big men Unless they're fond of noise.

But muvver's nicer zan 'em all, She calls you, "precious lamb," An' let's you roll your ten-pin ball, An' spreads your bread wiz jam.

An' when you're bad, she ist looks sad, You fink she's goin' to cry; An' when she don't you're awful glad, An' den you're good, Oh, my!

At night, she takes ze softest hand, An' lays it on your head, An' says "Be off to Sleepy-Land By way o' trundle-bed."

So when you fink what muvver knows An' aunts an' uncle tan't, It skeers a feller; ist suppose His muvver 'd been a aunt.

A SONG

On a summer's day as I sat by a stream, A dainty maid came by, And she blessed my sight like a rosy dream, And left me there to sigh, to sigh, And left me there to sigh, to sigh.

On another day as I sat by the stream, This maiden paused a while, Then I made me bold as I told my dream, She heard it with a smile, a smile, She heard it with a smile, a smile.

Oh, the months have fled and the autumn's red, The maid no more goes by: For my dream came true and the maid I wed, And now no more I sigh, I sigh, And now no more I sigh.

DAY

The gray dawn on the mountain top Is slow to pass away. Still lays him by in sluggish dreams, The golden God of day.

And then a light along the hills, Your laughter silvery gay; The Sun God wakes, a bluebird trills, You come and it is day.

TO DAN

Step me now a bridal measure, Work give way to love and leisure, Hearts be free and hearts be gay-- Doctor Dan doth wed to-day.

Diagnosis, cease your squalling-- Check that scalpel's senseless bawling, Put that ugly knife away-- Doctor Dan doth wed to-day.

'Tis no time for things unsightly, Life's the day and life goes lightly; Science lays aside her sway-- Love rules Dr. Dan to-day.

Gather, gentlemen and ladies, For the nuptial feast now made is, Swing your garlands, chant your lay For the pair who wed to-day.

Wish them happy days and many, Troubles few and griefs not any, Lift your brimming cups and say God bless them who wed to-day.

Then a cup to Cupid daring, Who for conquest ever faring, With his arrows dares assail E'en a doctor's coat of mail.

So with blithe and happy hymning And with harmless goblets brimming, Dance a step--musicians play-- Doctor Dan doth wed to-day.

WHAT'S THE USE

What's the use o' folks a-frownin' When the way's a little rough? Frowns lay out the road fur smilin' You'll be wrinkled soon enough. What's the use?

What's the use o' folks a-sighin'? It's an awful waste o' breath, An' a body can't stand wastin' What he needs so bad in death. What's the use?

What's the use o' even weepin'? Might as well go long an' smile. Life, our longest, strongest arrow, Only lasts a little while. What's the use?

A LAZY DAY

The trees bend down along the stream, Where anchored swings my tiny boat. The day is one to drowse and dream And list the thrush's throttling note. When music from his bosom bleeds Among the river's rustling reeds.

No ripple stirs the placid pool, When my adventurous line is cast, A truce to sport, while clear and cool, The mirrored clouds slide softly past. The sky gives back a blue divine, And all the world's wide wealth is mine.

A pickerel leaps, a bow of light, The minnows shine from side to side. The first faint breeze comes up the tide-- I pause with half uplifted oar, While night drifts down to claim the shore.

ADVICE

W'en you full o' worry 'Bout yo' wo'k an' sich, W'en you kind o' bothered Case you can't get rich, An' yo' neighboh p'ospah Past his jest desu'ts, An' de sneer of comerds Stuhes yo' heaht an' hu'ts, Des don' pet yo' worries, Lay 'em on de she'f, Tek a little trouble Brothah, wid yo'se'f.

Ef a frien' comes mou'nin' 'Bout his awful case, You know you don' grieve him Wid a gloomy face, But you wrassle wid him, Try to tek him in; Dough hit cracks yo' features, Law, you smile lak sin, Ain't you good ez he is? Don' you pine to def; Tek a little trouble Brothah, wid yo'se'f.

Ef de chillun pestahs, An' de baby's bad, Ef yo' wife gits narvous, An' you're gettin' mad, Des you grab yo' boot-strops, Hol' yo' body down, Stop a-tinkin' cuss-w'rds, Chase away de frown, Knock de haid o' worry, Twell dey ain' none lef'; Tek a little trouble, Brothah, wid yo'se'f.

LIMITATIONS

Ef you's only got de powah fe' to blow a little whistle, Keep ermong de people wid de whistles. Ef you don't, you'll fin' out sho'tly dat you's th'owed yo' fines' feelin' In a place dat's all a bed o' thistles. 'Tain't no use a-goin' now, ez sho's you bo'n, A-squeakin' of yo' whistle 'g'inst a gread big ho'n.

Ef you ain't got but a teenchy bit o' victuals on de table, Whut' de use a-claimin' hit's a feas'? Fe' de folks is mighty 'spicious, an' dey's ap' to come apeerin', Lookin' fe' de scraps you lef' at leas'. Wen de meal's a-hidin' f'om de meal-bin's top, You needn't talk to hide it; ef you sta'ts, des stop.

Ef yo' min' kin only carry half a pint o' common idees, Don' go roun' a-sayin' hit's a bar'l; 'Ca'se de people gwine to test you, an' dey'll fin' out you's a-lyin', Den dey'll twis' yo' sayin's in a snarl. Wuss t'ing in de country dat I evah hyahed-- A crow dot sat a-squawkin', "I's a mockin'-bird."

A GOLDEN DAY

I found you and I lost you, All on a gleaming day. The day was rilled with sunshine, And the land was full of May.

A golden bird was singing Its melody divine, I found you and I loved you, And all the world was mine.

I found you and I lost you, All on a golden day, But when I dream of you, dear, It is always brimming May.

THE UNLUCKY APPLE

'Twas the apple that in Eden Caused our father's primal fall; And the Trojan War, remember-- 'Twas an apple caused it all. So for weeks I've hesitated, You can guess the reason why, For I want to tell my darling She's the apple of my eye.

THE DISCOVERY

These are the days of elfs and fays: Who says that with the dreams of myth, These imps and elves disport themselves? Ah no, along the paths of song Do all the tiny folk belong.

Round all our homes, Kobolds and gnomes do daily cling, Then nightly fling their lanterns out. And shout on shout, they join the rout, And sing, and sing, within the sweet enchanted ring.

Where gleamed the guile of moonlight's smile, Once paused I, listening for a while, And heard the lay, unknown by day,-- The fairies' dancing roundelay.

Queen Mab was there, her shimmering hair Each fairy prince's heart's despair. She smiled to see their sparkling glee, And once I ween, she smiled at me.

Since when, you may by night or day, Dispute the sway of elf-folk gay; But, hear me, stay! I've learned the way to find Queen Mab and elf and fay.

Where e'er by streams, the moonlight gleams, Or on a meadow softly beams, There, footing round on dew-lit ground, The fairy folk may all be found.

MORNING

The mist has left the greening plain, The dew-drops shine like fairy rain, The coquette rose awakes again Her lovely self adorning. The Wind is hiding in the trees, A sighing, soothing, laughing tease, Until the rose says "Kiss me, please," 'Tis morning, 'tis morning.

With staff in hand and careless-free, The wanderer fares right jauntily, For towns and houses are, thinks he, For scorning, for scorning. My soul is swift upon the wing, And in its deeps a song I bring; Come, Love, and we together sing, "'Tis morning, 'tis morning."

THE AWAKENING

I did not know that life could be so sweet, I did not know the hours could speed so fleet, Till I knew you, and life was sweet again. The days grew brief with love and lack of pain--

I was a slave a few short days ago, The powers of Kings and Princes now I know; I would not be again in bondage, save I had your smile, the liberty I crave.

LOVE'S DRAFT

The draft of love was cool and sweet You gave me in the cup, But, ah, love's fire is keen and fleet, And I am burning up.

Unless the tears I shed for you Shall quench this burning flame, It will consume me through and through, And leave but ash--a name.

A MUSICAL

Outside the rain upon the street, The sky all grim of hue, Inside, the music-painful sweet, And yet I heard but you.

As is a thrilling violin, So is your voice to me, And still above the other strains, It sang in ecstasy.

TWELL DE NIGHT IS PAS'

All de night long twell de moon goes down, Lovin' I set at huh feet, Den fu' de long jou'ney back f'om de town, Ha'd, but de dreams mek it sweet.

All de night long twell de break of de day, Dreamin' agin in my sleep, Mandy comes drivin' my sorrers away, Axin' me, "Wha' fu' you weep?"

All de day long twell de sun goes down, Smilin', I ben' to my hoe, Fu' dough de weddah git nasty an' frown, One place I know I kin go.

All my life long twell de night has pas' Let de wo'k come ez it will, So dat I fin' you, my honey, at las', Somewhaih des ovah de hill.

BLUE

Standin' at de winder, Feelin' kind o' glum, Listenin' to de raindrops Play de kettle drum, Lookin' crost de medders Swimmin' lak a sea; Lawd 'a' mussy on us, What's de good o' me?

Can't go out a-hoein', Wouldn't ef I could; Groun' too wet fu' huntin', Fishin' ain't no good. Too much noise fo' sleepin', No one hyeah to chat; Des mus' stan' an' listen To dat pit-a-pat.

Hills is gittin' misty,, Valley's gittin' dahk; Watch-dog's 'mence a-howlin', Rathah have 'em ba'k Dan a-moanin' solemn Somewhaih out o' sight; Rain-crow des a-chucklin'-- Dis is his delight.

Mandy, bring my banjo, Bring de chillen in, Come in f'om de kitchen, I feel sick ez sin. Call in Uncle Isaac, Call Aunt Hannah, too, Tain't no use in talkin', Chile, I's sholy blue.

DREAMIN' TOWN

Come away to dreamin' town, Mandy Lou, Mandy Lou, Whaih de skies don' nevah frown, Mandy Lou; Whaih he streets is paved with gol', Whaih de days is nevah col', An' no sheep strays f'om de fol', Mandy Lou.

Ain't you tiahed of every day, Mandy Lou, Mandy Lou, Tek my han' an' come away, Mandy Lou, To the place whaih dreams is King, Whaih my heart hol's everything, An' my soul can allus sing, Mandy Lou.

Come away to dream wid me, Mandy Lou, Mandy Lou, Whaih our hands an' hea'ts are free, Mandy Lou; Whaih de sands is shinin' white, Whaih de rivahs glistens bright, Mandy Lou.

Come away to dreamland town, Mandy Lou, Mandy Lou, Whaih de fruit is bendin' down, Des fu' you. Smooth your brow of lovin' brown, An' my love will be its crown; Come away to dreamin' town, Mandy Lou.

AT NIGHT

Whut time 'd dat clock strike? Nine? No--eight; I didn't think hit was so late. Aer chew! I must 'a' got a cough, I raally b'lieve I did doze off-- Hit's mighty soothin' to de tiah, A-dozin' dis way by de fiah; Oo oom--hit feels so good to stretch I sutny is one weary wretch!

Look hyeah, dat boy done gone to sleep! He des ain't wo'th his boa'd an' keep; I des don't b'lieve he'd bat his eyes If Gab'el called him fo'm de skies! But sleepin's good dey ain't no doubt-- Dis pipe o' mine is done gone out. Don't bu'n a minute, bless my soul, Des please to han' me dat ah coal.

You 'Lias git up now, my son, Seems lak my nap is des begun; You sutny mus' ma'k down de day Wen I treats comp'ny dis away! W'y, Brother Jones, dat drowse come on, An' laws! I dremp dat you was gone! You 'Lias, whaih yo' mannahs, suh, To hyeah me call an' nevah stuh!

To-morrer mo'nin' w'en I call Dat boy'll be sleepin' to beat all, Don't mek no diffunce how I roah, He'll des lay up an' sno' and sno'. Now boy, you done hyeahed whut I said, You bettah tek yo'se'f yo baid, Case ef you gits me good an' wrong I'll mek dat sno' a diffunt song.

Dis wood fiah is invitin' dho', Hit seems to wa'm de ve'y flo'-- An' nuffin' ain't a whit ez sweet, Ez settin' toastin' of yo' feet. Hit mek you drowsy, too, but La! Hyeah, 'Lias, don't you hyeah yo' ma? Ef I gits sta'ted f'om dis cheah I' lay, you scamp, I'll mek you heah!

To-morrer mo'nin' I kin bawl Twell all de neighbohs hyeah me call; An' you'll be snoozin' des ez deep Ez if de day was made fu' sleep; Hit's funny when you got a cough Somehow yo' voice seems too fu' off-- Can't wake dat boy fu' all I say, I reckon he'll sleep daih twell day!

KIDNAPED

I held my heart so far from harm, I let it wander far and free In mead and mart, without alarm, Assured it must come back to me.

And all went well till on a day, Learned Dr. Cupid wandered by A search along our sylvan way For some peculiar butterfly.

A flash of wings, a hurried dive, A flutter and a short-lived flit; This Scientist, as I am alive Had seen my heart and captured it.

Right tightly now 'tis held among The specimens that he has trapped, And sings (Oh, love is ever young), 'Tis passing sweet to be kidnaped.

COMPENSATION

Because I had loved so deeply, Because I had loved so long, God in His great compassion Gave me the gift of song.

Because I have loved so vainly, And sung with such faltering breath, The Master in infinite mercy Offers the boon of Death.

WINTER'S APPROACH

De sun hit shine an' de win' hit blow, Ol' Brer Rabbit be a-layin' low, He know dat de wintah time a-comin', De huntah man he walk an' wait, He walk right by Brer Rabbit's gate-- He know--

De dog he lick his sliverin' chop, An' he tongue 'gin' his mouf go flop, flop-- He-- He rub his nose fu' to clah his scent So's to tell w'ich way dat cottontail went, He--

De huntah's wife she set an' spin A good wahm coat fu' to wrop him in She-- She look at de skillet an' she smile, oh my! An' ol' Brer Rabbit got to sholy fly. Dey know.

ANCHORED

If thro' the sea of night which here surrounds me, I could swim out beyond the farthest star, Break every barrier of circumstance that bounds me, And greet the Sun of sweeter life afar,

Tho' near you there is passion, grief, and sorrow, And out there rest and joy and peace and all, I should renounce that beckoning for to-morrow, I could not choose to go beyond your call.

THE VETERAN

Underneath the autumn sky, Haltingly, the lines go by. Ah, would steps were blithe and gay, As when first they marched away, Smile on lip and curl on brow,-- Only white-faced gray-beards now, Standing on life's outer verge, E'en the marches sound a dirge.

Blow, you bugles, play, you fife, Rattle, drums, for dearest life. Let the flags wave freely so, As the marching legions go, Shout, hurrah and laugh and jest, This is memory at its best. (Did you notice at your quip, That old comrade's quivering lip?)