In the old age black was not counted fair,Or if it were, it bore not beautys name.But now is black beautys successive heir,And beauty slandered with a bastard shame.For since each hand hath put on natures pow'r,Fairing the foul with arts false borrowed face,Sweet beauty hath no name, no holy bow'r,But is profaned, if not lives in disgrace.Therefore my mistress' eyes are raven black,Her eyes so suited, and they mourners seemAt such who, not born fair, no beauty lack,Sland'ring creation with a false esteem.Yet so they mourn, becoming of their woe,That every tongue says beauty should look so.
About This Quote
About William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was a 16th-century English playwright and poet. William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. Read more on Wikipedia →
Themes
- Beauty — Appreciating aesthetics, grace, and the sublime