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1872–1906

CONFESSIONAL

Paul Laurence Dunbar

Search thou my heart; If there be guile, It shall depart Before thy smile.

Search thou my soul; Be there deceit, ‘ T will vanish whole Before thee, sweet.

Upon my mind Turn thy pure lens; Naught shalt thou find Thou canst not cleanse.

If I should pray, I scarcely know In just what way My prayers would go.

So strong in me I feel love's leaven, I‘ d bow to thee As soon as Heaven!

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