1937My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun;

1938Coral is far more red than her lips' red;

1939If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;

1940If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head;

1941I have seen roses damasked, red and white,

1942But no such roses see I in her cheeks;

1943And in some perfumes is there more delight

1944Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.

1945I love to hear her speak, yet well I know

1946That music hath a far more pleasing sound;

1947I grant I never saw a goddess go--

1948My mistress when she walks treads on the ground.

1949 And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare

1950 As any she belied with false compare.

1952Thou art as tyrannous, so as thou art,

1953As those whose beauties proudly make them cruel;

1954For well thou know'st to my dear doting heart

1955Thou art the fairest and most precious jewel.

1956Yet in good faith some say, that thee behold,

1957Thy face hath not the power to make love groan;

1958To say they err, I dare not be so bold,

1959Although I swear it to myself alone.

1960And to be sure that is not false, I swear

1961A thousand groans but thinking on thy face;

1962One on another's neck do witness bear

1963Thy black is fairest in my judgment's place.

1964 In nothing art thou black save in thy deeds,

1965 And thence this slander, as I think, proceeds.

1967Thine eyes I love, and they, as pitying me,

1968Knowing thy heart torment me with disdain,

1969Have put on black, and loving mourners be,

1970Looking with pretty ruth upon my pain.

1971And truly, not the morning sun of heaven

1972Better becomes the grey cheeks of the East,

1973Nor that full star that ushers in the even

1974Doth half that glory to the sober West

1975As those two mourning eyes become thy face:

1976Oh, let it then as well beseem thy heart

1977To mourn for me, since mourning doth thee grace,

1978And suit thy pity like in every part.

1979 Then will I swear beauty herself is black,

1980 And all they foul that thy complexion lack.