On December 17, 1908, Richard Harrison in Philadelphia sent Alice Moore Dunbar the script of Herrick, a play written by her late husband Paul Laurence Dunbar. Harrison's inscription is on the front page beneath the typewritten title.
HERRICK
An Imaginative Comedy in Three Acts.
Philadelphia 12/17/08
To Alice M. Dunbar
From
Richard B. HarrisonHerrick typescript cover page. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 2).
Harrison was a successful Black actor who was a close friend of Paul's. During his stage appearances, Harrison recited Paul's poetry alongside Shakespeare's, and Paul was the best man at Harrison's wedding. Paul or Alice may have sought his help to have Herrick produced on stage. The play is about the seventeenth-century British poet Robert Herrick, whom Paul portrays as a hero skilled with pen and sword. In the play, several men hope to marry a woman named Cynthia, but she chooses Herrick for his honor, bravery and poetry.
Bid me to live and I will live
Thy protestant to be;
Or bid me love and I will give
A loving heart to thee.
A heart as soft, a heart as kind
A heart as sound and free
As in the whole world thou canst find
That heart I'll give to thee.
Thou art my life, my love, my heart,
The very eyes of me,
And has command of every part
To live and die for thee.Excerpt from "To Cynthia," from Act I of Herrick, by Paul Laurence Dunbar. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 2).
The 31-page script to Herrick is carefully typed, but by someone other than Paul or Alice, since Paul's middle name is misspelled on the title page. Years earlier, Paul sent the script to people who he hoped could get Herrick published or performed, but he was unsuccessful. Paul received a polite rejection from Harrison S. Morris, an editor at Lippincott's Monthly Magazine.
I've looked over the play and, as I always am, I feel I am fully in accord with your literary instincts and aims. You have the right road. But the play would be impossible for the magazine and I don't submit it to the publishing department because you give us so short a time for its consideration.
Harrison S. Morris to Paul Laurence Dunbar, August 30, 1899. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 1).
Paul's literary agent, Paul Reynolds, often helped get his work published in books and magazines, so Paul asked him for assistance with Herrick.
Do you do anything in the way of handling plays for the stage?
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Paul R. Reynolds, January 21, 1901. Paul Laurence Dunbar collection, New York Public Library, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (Microfilm edition, Roll 3).
Will you give us a line as soon as possible, and also let me know how proceeds the play as I am feverish with anxiety.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Paul R. Reynolds, February 5, 1901. Paul Laurence Dunbar collection, New York Public Library, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (Microfilm edition, Roll 3).
Are the other stories and the play doing anything?
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Paul R. Reynolds, May 4, 1901. Paul Laurence Dunbar collection, New York Public Library, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (Microfilm edition, Roll 3).
Paul also consulted on Herrick with Alice Kauser and Elisabeth Marbury, both of whom were influential in New York City theatre. He loaned the script to one and then the other, but after a long delay it was returned to him.
After seeing Miss Kauser I did not have time to visit you again but my talk with her was very clear and satisfactory and I shall do what I can to meet the requirements which she makes.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Paul R. Reynolds, May 18, 1901. Paul Laurence Dunbar collection, New York Public Library, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (Microfilm edition, Roll 3).
Do you know anything about what Miss Kauser is doing with the play "Herrick"? She promised to write me two months ago about it, and I am really unable to go on with it or to do anything until I hear from her. It has been four months since it was put into her hands.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Paul R. Reynolds, August 22, 1901. Paul Laurence Dunbar collection, New York Public Library, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (Microfilm edition, Roll 3).
I hope you will stir Miss Kauser up and see what she has done.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Paul R. Reynolds, September 2, 1901. Paul Laurence Dunbar collection, New York Public Library, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (Microfilm edition, Roll 3).
I thank you very much for sending to Miss Kauser for the play. I do not know what turn to make with it next.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Paul R. Reynolds, October 23, 1901. Paul Laurence Dunbar collection, New York Public Library, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (Microfilm edition, Roll 3).
I shall have to try again in replying to your question about the play. If you think it worthwhile to pass it over to Miss Marbury, please do so. But if it is to be kept nearly a year again while plays of a similar vein are going on, I would rather have it back in hand. I would be glad, though, if Miss Marbury would read it and read it soon.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Paul R. Reynolds, November 18, 1901. Paul Laurence Dunbar collection, New York Public Library, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (Microfilm edition, Roll 3).
Have you heard anything from Miss Marbury as to "Herrick"?
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Paul R. Reynolds, December 11, 1901. Paul Laurence Dunbar collection, New York Public Library, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (Microfilm edition, Roll 3).
I am sorry about Herrick and am wondering since they all say "in this shape" if it could not be put into the hands of some experienced playwright who would collaborate. What do you think about the matter?
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Paul R. Reynolds, January 10, 1902. Paul Laurence Dunbar collection, New York Public Library, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (Microfilm edition, Roll 3).
As to Herrick, I hardly know what to say. Miss Kauser thought it had sufficient movement, but that it needed changing, lengthening of the scenes, and shortening of the speeches. I shall write, however, to Miss Marbury, as you suggest.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Paul R. Reynolds, January 23, 1902. Paul Laurence Dunbar collection, New York Public Library, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (Microfilm edition, Roll 3).
Will you please send the manuscript of my play "Herrick."
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Paul R. Reynolds, March 25, 1902. Paul Laurence Dunbar collection, New York Public Library, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (Microfilm edition, Roll 3).
I have your letter of a few days ago and in reply will say that the play "Herrick" had better be sent to the office address, 42 West 28th St., care of "Von Tilzer."
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Paul R. Reynolds, March 28, 1902. Paul Laurence Dunbar collection, New York Public Library, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (Microfilm edition, Roll 3).
Later that year, Paul also sent Herrick to Otis Skinner, a famous stage actor who specialized in Shakespearean roles, but once again the script was returned to him.
I return the manuscript of "Herrick" left for me at Chicago. I have enjoyed its perusal for it is most atmospheric and has a fine 17th century flavor. I regret I do not find it suited to my needs -- for it has much merit.
Otis Skinner to Paul Laurence Dunbar, October 7, 1902. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 1).