YOU talk about some maiden fair, With alabaster brow, Her face like snowdrifts soft and rare — As poets oft allow; Your parian, pentelic maid — Admire her, ye who can; My choice is for a darker shade, The girl of healthy tan! The neck they liken to the swan, The goose has, quite as true; The maid with ivory forehead on May have a blockhead, too; But nut-brown damsels are the thing For me or any man; The summer girl's the one I sing, The girl with glowing tan! The snow-white pallor some admire Cold hands and feet foretell; The marble brows they so admire Mean marble hearts as well; Give me the warm, fresh blood that flows On nature's freest plan, The wholesome look, the eye that glows, The girl with summer tan! |