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 damasked***, 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.*****
