Sonnet 96

1 Some say thy fault is youth, some wantonness,
2 Some say thy grace is youth and gentle sport,
3 Both grace and faults are loved of more and less:
4 Thou mak’st faults graces, that to thee resort:
5 As on the finger of a throned queen,
6 The basest jewel will be well esteemed:
7 So are those errors that in thee are seen,
8 To truths translated, and for true things deemed.
9 How many lambs might the stern wolf betray,
10 If like a lamb he could his looks translate!
11 How many gazers mightst thou lead away,
12 If 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.