Classic Poem

By the wall of the garden, that glimmer'd chalk white
In the light of the moon, back in May,
There were you all in black at my side, coming round
On the ground with a cypress to sway:
Oh! the white and the black! Which was fairest to view?
Why the black became fairest on you.

By the water, downfalling in many a bow
White as snow, on the rock's peaky steep,
There your own petted cow show'd the ridge of her back
Of deep black, as she lay for her sleep:
Oh! the white and the black! Which was fairest to view?
Why the black became fairest on you.

When you stroll'd down the village at evening, bedight
All in white, in the warm summer-tide,
The while Towsy , your loving old dog, with his back
Sleeky black, trotted on at your side:
Ah! the black and the white! Which was fairest to view?
Why the white became fairest on you.

At the end of the barton the granary stood,
Of black wood, with white geese at its side,
And the white-winged swans glided over the waves
By the cave's darksome shadows in pride:
Oh! the black and the white! Which was fairest to view?
Why the white became fairest on you.