Classic Poem

By the wall o' the geärden, a-stannen chalk white
In the light o' the moon, back in Maÿè,
There wer you all in black at my zide, a-come round
On the ground where the cypress did swaÿè:
Oh! the white an' the black! Which wer feäirest to view?
Why the black, a-meäde feäirest on you.

By the water, a-vallen in many a bow
White as snow, down the rock's peaky steep,
There your own petted cow wer a-showen her back
O' deep black, a-laid down vor her sleep:
Ah! the white an' the black! Which wer feäirest to view?
Why the black, a-meäde feäirest on you.

When you stroll'd down the village, a-walken bedight
All in white, at the leäte evenen tide,
The while Towsy , your own loven dog, wi' his back
Sleeky black, did walk on at your zide:
Ah! the black an' the white! Which wer feäirest to view?
Why the white, a-meäde feäirest on you.

At the end o' the barken the granary stood,
O' black wood, wi' white geese at his zide,
An' the white-winged swans, on the quick-runnen weäve,
By the cave o' black darkness did glide:
Ah! the black an' the white! Which wer feäirest to view?
Why the white, a-meäde feäirest on you.