sonnet | Spirit of Cecilia

Commentary by Richard K Munro

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45108/sonnet-130-my-mistress-eyes-are-nothing-like-the-sun

Damasked means DEEP PINK interesting contrast of PERFUME with REEKS. Once again a good way to study word contrasts is by synonyms.

Pejorative (negative)	Neutral	Positive
reek	odor	Fragrance
stink	Aroma	scent
stench		aroma
Smell

IT is interesting that Shakespeare uses PERFUME and REEK as contrasts.

I suppose the lady’s breath smells of garlic or beer. This usage certainly seems humorous today though it may not have been as pejorative in Shakespeare’s time. Of course in Scots English it merely means “smoke”“ ”as the soldier turned to peer through the reek” Before Edinburgh was being lauded as the ‘Athens of the North,’ it was given the nickname The Auld Reekie, which means Old Smokey

SONNET 130

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.

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.

I love to hear her speak, yet well I know

That music hath a far more pleasing sound;

I grant I never saw a goddess go;