Moreoverin whiteness are many excellences；for instancethe snow falls white from heavenand it is traditional that white is the most beautiful of colours. The Muslims also glory in white turbans；but I should be tediouswere I to repeat all that may be said in praise of white；little and enough is better than too much. So now I will begin with thy dispraiseO blackO colour of ink and blacksmith's dustthou whose face is like the crow that brings about lovers'parting！ Verilythe poet saith in praise of white and dispraise of black：
Seest not that for their milky hue white pearls in price excel And charcoal for a groat a load the folk do buy and sell？
And eke white faces'tis well knowndo enter ParadiseWhilst faces black appointed are to fill the halls of Hell.
And indeed it is told in certain historiesrelated on the authority of devout menthat Noah（on whom be peace）was sleeping one daywith his sons Ham and Shem seated at his head，when a wind sprang up and lifting his clothesuncovered his nakedness；whereat Ham laughed and did not cover him；but Shem rose and covered him. PresentlyNoah awoke and learning what had passedblessed Shem and cursed Ham. So Shem's face was whitened and from him sprang the prophets and the orthodox Khalifs and Kings；whilst Ham's face was blackened and he fled forth to the land of Ethiopiaand of his lineage came the blacks. All people are of a mind in affirming the lack of understanding of the blackseven as saith the adage'How shall one find a black having understanding？'
Quoth her master'It sufficeth；sit downthou hast been prodigal.'And he signed to the negresswho roseand pointing at the blondesaid'Doth thou not know thatin the Koran sent down to His prophet and apostleis transmitted the saying of God the Most High'By the nightwhen it veileth [the world with darkness]and by the daywhen it appeareth in all its glory！'If the night were not more illustrious than the daywhy should God swear by it and give it precedence of the day？ And indeed those of sense and understanding accept this.