Sonnet 131
The Dark Lady: Desire
- 1 Thou art as tyrannous, so as thou art,
- 2 As those whose beauties proudly make them cruel;
- 3 For well thou know'st to my dear doting heart
- 4 Thou art the fairest and most precious jewel.
- 5 Yet, in good faith, some say that thee behold,
- 6 Thy face hath not the power to make love groan;
- 7 To say they err I dare not be so bold,
- 8 Although I swear it to myself alone.
- 9 And to be sure that is not false I swear,
- 10 A thousand groans, but thinking on thy face,
- 11 One on another's neck, do witness bear
- 12 Thy 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.