Sonnet 131: Thou art as tyrannous, so as thou art

1Thou art as tyrannous, so as thou art,

2As those whose beauties proudly make them cruel;

3For well thou know'st to my dear doting heart

4Thou art the fairest and most precious jewel.

5Yet, in good faith, some say that thee behold,

6Thy face hath not the power to make love groan;

7To say they err I dare not be so bold,

8Although I swear it to myself alone.

9And to be sure that is not false I swear,

10A thousand groans, but thinking on thy face,

11One on another's neck, do witness bear

12Thy black is fairest in my judgment's place.

13 In nothing art thou black save in thy deeds,

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