Sonnet 130
William Shakespeare
1Dun is dull gray. In Shakespeare’s time, pale skin was considered beautiful.
2damask’d references a damask rose, a type of rose, which is bright pink in color.
3reeks: a strong and unpleasant smell; something that reeks, like her breath, stinks.
4go means walk.
5treads on the ground: walks heavily
6As any . . . compare means as any woman misrepresented with false comparisons. Belied means failing to give a
true impression of the mistress’ appearance
My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red than her lips' red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun1;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damask'd2, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks3.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound;
I grant I never saw a goddess go4;
My mistress, when she walks, treads5 on the ground:
And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare.6
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