Introducing Shakespeare: A Graphic Guide - Nick Groom, Piero 2013

The Dark Lady

The Dark Lady has created the most excitement, precisely because Shakespeare does not idealize her in Sonnet 130. This sonnet has been set to music by the pop star Sting.

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 dun;

If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.

I have seen roses damask’d, 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 reeks.

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 go,

My mistress when she walks treads on the ground.

And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare

As any she belied with false compare.