WHILE the two contraries of black and white In the brown Phaië are so well unite That they no longer now seem opposite, Who doubts but love hath this his colour chose, Since he therein doth both th' extremes compose, And as within their proper centre close? Therefore, as it presents not to the view That whitely raw and unconcocted hue, Which beauty northern nations think the true; So neither hath it that adust aspect The Moor and Indian so much affect, That for it they all other do reject. Thus, while the white well-shadow'd doth appear, And black doth through his lustre grow so clear That each in other equal part doth bear, All in so rare proportion is combin'd, That the fair temper which adorns her mind Is even to her outward form confin'd. Phaië, your sex's honour, then so live, That when the world shall with contention strive To whom they would a chief perfection give, They might the controversy so decide, As, quitting all extremes on either side, You more than any may be dignifi'd. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...INTOXICATION by EMILY DICKINSON THE LOST JEWEL by EMILY DICKINSON A NOCTURNAL UPON ST. LUCY'S DAY, BEING THE SHORTEST DAY by JOHN DONNE A FAREWELL TO TOBACCO by CHARLES LAMB IMMORTALIA NE SPERES by ALCAEUS OF MYTILENE THE DEATH OF HAMPDEN by PAKENHAM THOMAS BEATTY |