Sonnet 96: Some say thy fault is youth, some wantonness

1Some say thy fault is youth, some wantonness;

2Some say thy grace is youth and gentle sport;

3Both grace and faults are lov'd of more and less:

4Thou mak'st faults graces that to thee resort.

5As on the finger of a throned queen

6The basest jewel will be well esteem'd,

7So are those errors that in thee are seen

8To truths translated, and for true things deem'd.

9How many lambs might the stern wolf betray,

10If like a lamb he could his looks translate!

11How many gazers mightst thou lead away,

12if thou wouldst use the strength of all thy state!

13 But do not so; I love thee in such sort,

14 As, thou being mine, mine is thy good report.