Preview
Identifier
MSS114_B02F02_008A
Creation Date
5-31-1899
Keywords
Paul Laurence Dunbar, primary sources, Black history, Black poets, prominent Ohioans
Description
Full text of letter:
(Page 1)
1224 North G.
Tacoma, Washington
May 31st 1899.
Paul Laurence Dunbar.
My Dear Brother. Though I am unknown to you I am sure you will be glad to hear how much I enjoyed and appreciated “The Warriors Prayer,” which has just (recently) come under my notice. I like it, it has the true sing, and that is the sing of victory.
The promise is not to him that has no battles to fight but “to him that overcometh,” and “As thy day is, so shall thy strength be.”
In the prayer embodied in the first stanza of your poem;
“Lord, who prevailest with resistless might
Ever from war and strife keep me away,
My battles fight.” We find on analyzing what? Weakness, no faith, cowardice, selfishness, all of which must be “over-come before we can sit down at the right hand of the father.”
(Page 2)
I like to turn from that picture is this one of strength.
“Then welcome each rebuff.
That turns earth’s smoothness rough,
Each sting that bids nor sit, nor stand but go!
Be our joys three-parts pair!
Strive, and hold cheap the strain;
Learn, nor account the pang; dare, never grudge the throe!”
In Browning’s “Caliban on Setebos,” and “Soul” he has given us a vivid pen picture of the two types, Caliban and David, could there be a greater contrast?
I have watched your career with interest, perhaps your birth place (Dayton) has had something to do with it; as I first saw the light, and spent my younger days near there. I say something, as I realize it is a very small part of my regard for you, knowing, so well that ones birth place is so insignificant, compared
(page 3)
with the person that is born there, and yet when one has wandered as far from the home of their birth, as has the writer, there is a feeling of ‘kinship’ towards those who have been born there that neither time or space has been able to over come. Dear old Dayton it will always be dear to you, as it is to me. My home was in Chattanooga a few years and Mrs. Steele of the Colored Children’s Home was a dear friend of mine. She is not one to pray to have “Seen battles” but is one that has formed “Strength for the fray,” I envy her the grand work she is doing.
Have you read “Victor Serenus,” a new book by Henry Wood? The hero V.S. won his battles through serenity. I enjoyed the book very much, and think you would if you have not already read it.
I shall be very much pleased to hear from you. If you receive this letter, “Paul” the name of my youngest son and of my baby grandson, therefore dear to me. With but wishes for your success in your chosen career I am your friend.
Susan F. Thompson
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Primary Item Type
Personal Correspondence
Rights
This item is part of the Paul Laurence Dunbar House collection at Ohio History Connection, Columbus, Ohio. The collection contains items from 219 N. Summit St., Dayton, Ohio (later 219 N. Paul Laurence Dunbar St.), the home Dunbar purchased for his mother, Matilda J. Dunbar, in 1904. Paul Laurence Dunbar lived there until his death in 1906; Matilda lived there until her death in 1934. It is now the Paul Laurence Dunbar House Historic Site, part of the National Park Service.
Keywords
Paul Laurence Dunbar, primary sources, Black history, Black poets, prominent Ohioans
