Her Fair-Skinned Form Is More Than I Deserve
Her fair-skinned form is more than I deserve;
because her skin is light, and mine is dark,
like Tristan and Yseult's love which King Mark
forbade, we're banned from passion's sweet preserve.
Though bred as opposites opposed, we serve
our needs: and through her milk and my coarse bark,
like Heloise and Abelard, a spark
burns (though Fulbert and Church show their reserve)!
Alas! Were I as fair, as white, as bright,
as her: were darkened complexion, and chin,
not so eclipsed as night when near her light!
Though mores, like the world, moved by lies' spin,
discourage us, the coveted birthright
to merge won't be denied by tribal men.
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