| THOU art as tyrannous, so as thou art | |
| As those whose beauties proudly make them cruel; | |
| For well thou know’st to my dear doting heart | |
| Thou art the fairest and most precious jewel. | |
| Yet, in good faith, some say that thee behold, | 5 |
| Thy face hath not the power to make love groan: | |
| To say they err I dare not be so bold, | |
| Although I swear it to myself alone. | |
| And to be sure that is not false I swear, | |
| A thousand groans, but thinking on thy face, | 10 |
| One on another’s neck, do witness bear | |
| Thy black is fairest in my judgment’s place. | |
| In nothing art thou black save in thy deeds, | |
| And thence this slander, as I think, proceeds. |