Sonnet 127

1 In the old age black was not counted fair,
2 Or if it were it bore not beauty’s name:
3 But now is black beauty’s successive heir,
4 And beauty slandered with a bastard shame,
5 For since each hand hath put on nature’s power,
6 Fairing the foul with art’s false borrowed face,
7 Sweet beauty hath no name, no holy bower,
8 But is profaned, if not lives in disgrace.
9 Therefore my mistress’ eyes are raven black,
10 Her eyes so suited, and they mourners seem
11 At such who not born fair no beauty lack,
12 Slandering creation with a false esteem,
13 Yet so they mourn becoming of their woe,
14 That every tongue says beauty should look so.