This sonnet compares the physical features of the speaker's mistress to other natural elements but finds her lacking. The mistress' eyes are not as bright as the sun, her lips are not as red as coral, her breasts are pale, and her black hair resembles wires. The mistress does not have the rosy cheeks of roses, her breath is unpleasant compared to perfumes, and her voice is not as pleasing as music. Yet despite these imperfections, the speaker considers his love for her as rare as if she were a goddess.

1. Sonnet 130 Module Two, unit 3, assignment six. Mercedes Blanchard 18/10/11

2. My mistress' eyes are nothing like the su n,

3. Coral is far more red than her lips' red.

4. If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun,

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

6. I have seen roses demasked, red and white,

7. But no such rose see I in her cheeks.

8. And in some perfumes is there more delight

9. Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.

10. I love to hear her speak, yet I know

11. That music hath a far more pleasing sound.

12. I grant I never saw a goddess go,

13. My mistress when she walks, treads on the ground.

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

15. As any she belied with false compare.