Sonnet 127. In the old age black was not counted fair

In the old age black was not counted fair

Or if it were it bore not beauty's name:

But now is black beauty's successive heir

And beauty slandered with a bastard shame

For since each hand hath put on nature's power

Fairing the foul with art's false borrowed face

Sweet beauty hath no name no holy bower

But is profaned, if not lives in disgrace.