- 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,
- 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,
- One on another’s neck, do witness bear
- Thy black is fairest in my judgement’s place.
- In nothing art thou black save in thy deeds,
- And thence this slander, as I think, proceeds.