Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE BROWN BEAUTY, by EDWARD HERBERT


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE BROWN BEAUTY, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: While the two contraries of black and white
Last Line: You more than any may be dignifi'd.
Alternate Author Name(s): Cherbury, 1st Baron Herbert Of; Herbert Of Cherbury, Edward Herbert, 1st Baron; Herbert Of Cherbury, Lord
Subject(s): Beauty; Black (color); Brown (color); White (color)


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.





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