Sonnet 127: In the old age black was not counted fair

1In the old age black was not counted fair,

2Or if it were, it bore not beauty's name;

3But now is black beauty's successive heir,

4And beauty slander'd with a bastard shame:

5For since each hand hath put on Nature's power,

6Fairing the foul with Art's false borrowed face,

7Sweet beauty hath no name, no holy bower,

8But is profan'd, if not lives in disgrace.

9Therefore my mistress' eyes are raven black,

10Her eyes so suited, and they mourners seem

11At such who, not born fair, no beauty lack,

12Sland'ring creation with a false esteem:

13 Yet so they mourn becoming of their woe,

14 That every tongue says beauty should look so.