Shakespeare’s ‘Dark lady’, a “dark Briton”?

[Kukul-Kan]

Interesting description of a “dark British” type.


"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"

"Therefore my mistress' eyes are raven-black,
Her brow so suited, and they mourners seem"

"If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head."

"And, to be sure that is not false I swear,
A thousand groans but thinking on thy face
One on another's neck do witness bear
Thy black is fairest in my judgement's place."

"In nothing art thou black save in thy deeds,
And thence this slander, as I think, proceeds."

"Thine eyes I love, and they, as pitying me
Knowing thy heart torment me with disdain
Have put on black, and loving mourners be,"

“Better becomes the grey cheeks of the east"

"As those two mourning eyes become thy face"

"O, let it then as well beseem thy heart
To mourn for me, since mourning doth thee grace,
And suit thy pity like in every part."

The complete website with the modern interpretation.

www.geocities.com/Athens/Troy/4081/DarkLady.html