Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TOBY'S REPLY, by BELLE RICHARDSON HARRISON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TOBY'S REPLY, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: O toby was a darky who could pick the banjo fine
Last Line: "wait on de students, massa."" he promptly made reply."
Subject(s): African Americans; Labor & Laborers; Universities & Colleges; Negroes; American Blacks; Work; Workers


OTOBY was a darky who could pick the banjo fine,
And he could cut the pigeon-wing and give your boots a shine.
waited on the students at the Uni-var-si-tee,
And at any kind of devilment was quick as quick could be.

Not only versed in devilment, but also repartee,
For the laugh was on the student of the Uni-var-si-tee
Who passed him on the stoop amid a crowd of boys one day,
And out of fun accosted him—"O hello, Tobe, I say—

"What are you going to do when Satan gets you by and by?"
"Wait on de students, Massa." he promptly made reply.





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