WIT AND BEAUTY

If she were wise as she is fair

The wisdom of the world would be

Beneath that autumn crown of hair

And she would care no whit for me.

If she were fair as she is wise

She would not need to bid me go

I should not linger for the eyes

That very homely face would show.

She would lose me or I lose her

If face and mind did so agree:

So there’s no wonder I prefer

The lovely fool who cares for me.

Philip John Stead