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Paul Laurence Dunbar - Encouragemen
Work rating: Low

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 fu` spite.
Say, now, was you mad fu` true
W`en I kin` o` laughed at you?
   Speak up, Ike, an` `spress yo`se`f.

`T ain`t no use a-lookin` sad,
An` a-mekin` out you`s mad;
Ef you`s gwine to be so glum,
Wondah why you evah come.
I don`t lak nobody `roun`
Dat jes` shet dey mouf an` frown,—
Oh, now, man, don`t act a dunce!
Cain`t you talk?  I tol` you once,
   Speak up, Ike, an` `spress yo`se`f.

Wha`d you come hyeah fu` to-night?
Body`d t`ink yo` haid ain`t right.
I`s done all dat I kin do,—
Dressed perticler, jes` fu` you;
Reckon I`d `a` bettah wo`
My ol` ragged calico.
Aftah all de pains I`s took,
Cain`t you tell me how I look?
   Speak up, Ike, an` `spress yo`se`f.

Bless my soul!  I `mos` fu`got
Tellin` you `bout Tildy Scott.
Don`t you know, come Thu`sday
    night,
She gwine ma`y Lucius White?
Miss Lize say I allus wuh
Heap sight laklier `n huh;
An` she`ll git me somep`n new,
Ef I wants to ma`y too.
   Speak up, Ike, an` `spress yo`se`f.

I could ma`y in a week,
Ef de man I wants `ud speak.
Tildy`s presents`ll be fine,
But dey would n`t ekal mine.
Him whut gits me fu` a wife
`Ll be proud, you bet yo` life.
I`s had offers; some ain`t quit;
But I has n`t ma`ied yit!
   Speak up, Ike, an` `spress yo`se`f.

Ike, I loves you,—yes, I does;
You`s my choice, and allus was.
Laffin` at you ain`t no harm.—
Go `way, dahky, whaih`s yo` arm?
Hug me closer—dah, dat`s right!
Was n`t you a awful sight,
Havin` me to baig you so?
Now ax whut you want to know,—
   Speak up, Ike, an` `spress yo`se`f!
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