A PLEA

By Paul Laurence Dunbar

Treat me nice, Miss Mandy Jane,

Treat me nice.

Dough my love has tu'ned my brain,

Treat me nice.

I ai n't done a t'ing to shame,

Lovahs all ac's jes’ de same;

Do n't you know we ai n't to blame?

Treat me nice!

Cose I know I‘ s talkin’ wild;

Treat me nice;

I cai n't talk no bettah, child,

Treat me nice;

Whut a pusson gwine to do,

Wen he come a-cou'tin’ you

All a-trimblin’ thoo and thoo?

Please be nice.

Reckon I mus’ go de paf

Othahs do:

Lovahs lingah, ladies laff;

Mebbe you

Do’ mean all the things you say,

An’ pu'haps some latah day

W'en I baig you ha'd, you may

Treat me nice!