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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
HOW NATHAN PROPOSED, by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR Poet's Biography First Line: Nathan saw that his time had come Last Line: Plans for the early marriage, on which he insisted. | |||
Nathan saw this his time had come. He sighed, cleared his throat and began: "Widder, I been thinkin' a good deal lately an' I been talkin' some with a friend o' mine". He felt guiltily conscious of what that friend had counseled him to keep back. "I've been greatly prospered in my day; in fact, 'my cup renneth over.'" "You have been prospered Nathan." "Seem's ef -- seem's ef I'd ought to sheer it with somebody, don't it?" "Well, Nathan, I do' know nobody that's more generous in givin' to the pore than you air." "I don't mean jest exactly that way; I mean -- widder, you're the morti -- I mean the salvation of my soul. Could you -- would you -- er -- do you think you'd keer to sheer my blessin's with me -- an' add another one to 'em?" The Widow Young looked at him in astonishment; then, as she perceived his drift, the tears filled her eyes and she asked, "Do you mean it, Nathan?" "I wouldn't 'a' spent so much labor on a joke, widder." "No, it don't seem like you would, Nathan. Well, it's sudden, mighty sudden, but I can't say no." "Fur these an' all other blessin's make us truly thankful, oh Lord, we ask for His name's sake -- Amen!" said Nathan devoutly. And he sat another hour with the widow making plans for the early marriage, on which he insisted. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A BANJO SONG by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR A BOY'S SUMMER SONG by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR A CHRISTMAS FOLKSONG by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR A CORN SONG by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR A DEATH SONG by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR A HYMN; AFTER READING 'LEAD, KINDLY LIGHT' by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR A LITTLE CHRISTMAS BASKET by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR A LOVE LETTER by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR A LOVE SONG by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR A MUSICAL by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR |
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