SONNET 127	PARAPHRASE
In the old age black was not counted fair,	In the old days black was not considered beautiful,
Or if it were, it bore not beauty's name;	or not said to be,
But now is black beauty's successive heir,	but now black is thought beautiful,
And beauty slandered with a bastard shame.	and true beauty has become mother to a bastard.
For since each hand hath put on Nature's power,	For now everyone does Nature's work,
Fairing the foul with Art's false borrowed face,	making ugly fair with cosmetics,
Sweet beauty hath no name, no holy bower,	Beauty's good name is lost, it has no refuge,
But is profaned, if not lives in disgrace.	but is slandered and disgraced.
Therefore my mistress' eyes are raven black,	This is why my lady's eyes are black,
Her eyes so suited, and they mourners seem	for she is grieving
At such who, not born fair, no beauty lack,	that ugliness
Sland'ring creation with a false esteem.	slanders creation by being considered beautiful.
Yet so they mourn becoming of their woe,	Yet her eyes mourning are so becoming
That every tongue says beauty should look so.	that everyone thinks that is what true beauty should be.