Classic Poem

Should my skin be black or white?
I dared to ask the Girl of Light.

Or should, I gravely asked, the sun,
And moon in brightness equal one?

And as she gave me her reply,
I saw a tear fall from her eye,

As stooping down upon her knee,
She beckoned earnestly to me,

That all as one should I befriend,
To live in mem'ry past my end,

And though the vision wax or wane,
To try as long as I remain.

For God in Heaven knows the heart,
Of every soul that must depart.

Then she left me; Oh! So fast!
As motionless, her image passed,

And with the trueness of a beam,
Of light her wisdom made it seem,

That never dark is darkest night,
When one has met the Girl of Light.