(decorative banner)ThePOEM.
(decorative banner)
Whether White or Black be bestCall your Senses to the quest;And your touch shall quickly tellThe Black in softness doth excel,And in smoothness; but the Ear,What, can that a Colour hear?No, but ’tis your Black ones WitThat doth catch, and captive it.And if Slut and Fair be one,Sweet and Fair, there can be none:Nor can ought so please the tastAs what’s brown and lovely drest:And who’ll say, that that is bestTo please ones Sense, displease the rest?{102} Maugre then all that can be sedIn flattery of White and Red:Those flatterers themselves must sayThat darkness was before the Day:And such perfection here appearsIt neither Wind nor Sun-shine fears.
Whether White or Black be bestCall your Senses to the quest;And your touch shall quickly tellThe Black in softness doth excel,And in smoothness; but the Ear,What, can that a Colour hear?No, but ’tis your Black ones WitThat doth catch, and captive it.And if Slut and Fair be one,Sweet and Fair, there can be none:Nor can ought so please the tastAs what’s brown and lovely drest:And who’ll say, that that is bestTo please ones Sense, displease the rest?{102} Maugre then all that can be sedIn flattery of White and Red:Those flatterers themselves must sayThat darkness was before the Day:And such perfection here appearsIt neither Wind nor Sun-shine fears.
Whether White or Black be best
Call your Senses to the quest;
And your touch shall quickly tell
The Black in softness doth excel,
And in smoothness; but the Ear,
What, can that a Colour hear?
No, but ’tis your Black ones Wit
That doth catch, and captive it.
And if Slut and Fair be one,
Sweet and Fair, there can be none:
Nor can ought so please the tast
As what’s brown and lovely drest:
And who’ll say, that that is best
To please ones Sense, displease the rest?
{102} Maugre then all that can be sed
In flattery of White and Red:
Those flatterers themselves must say
That darkness was before the Day:
And such perfection here appears
It neither Wind nor Sun-shine fears.