Shakespeare Sonnet 127

Front 1

Sonnet 127 line 1

Back 1

In the old age black was not counted fair,

Front 2

Sonnet 127 line 2

Back 2

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

Front 3

Sonnet 127 line 3

Back 3

But now is black beauty's successive heir,

Front 4

Sonnet 127 line 4

Back 4

And beauty slander'd with a bastard shame:

Front 5

Sonnet 127 line 5

Back 5

For since each hand hath put on nature's power,

Front 6

Sonnet 127 line 6

Back 6

Fairing the foul with art's false borrow'd face,

Front 7

Sonnet 127 line 7

Back 7

Sweet beauty hath no name, no holy bower,

Front 8

Sonnet 127 line 8

Back 8

But is profaned, if not lives in disgrace.

Front 9

Sonnet 127 line 9

Back 9

Therefore my mistress' brows are raven black,

Front 10

Sonnet 127 line 10

Back 10

Her eyes so suited, and they mourners seem

Front 11

Sonnet 127 line 11

Back 11

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

Front 12

Sonnet 127 line 12

Back 12

Slandering creation with a false esteem:

Front 13

Sonnet 127 line 13

Back 13

Yet so they mourn, becoming of their woe,

Front 14

Sonnet 127 line 14

Back 14

That every tongue says beauty should look so.