The POEM.
Reading edition
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.
