Poem translation

The language of Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 130” may seem complex and old-fashioned because of its age. Here we give you a line-by-line translation into modern English, with special attention to more difficult words and images.

Sonnet 130

William Shakespeare

Stanza 1

My mistress’ 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.

Stanza 2

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.

Stanza 3

I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That mu...