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Sonnet 116
Shakespeare's Sonnets Translation Sonnet 117
Accuse me thus: that I have scanted all Wherein I should your great deserts repay, Forgot upon your dearest love to call, Whereto all bonds do tie me day by day; That I have frequent been with unknown minds, And giv'n to time your own dear purchased right; That I have hoisted sail to all the winds Which should transport me farthest from your sight. Book both my willfulness and errors down, And on just proof surmise accumulate. Bring me within the level of your frown, But shoot not at me in your wakened hate, Since my appeal says I did strive to prove The constancy and virtue of your love.
Accuse me like this: that I have neglected everything
That I should have done to repay your great rewards,
Forgot to call upon your dearest love,
Which all bonds tie me to every day,
That I have frequently been with strangers,
And given to time the right that you bought expensively;
That I have myself raised the sail to all the winds
That transport me furthest from your sight.
Record both my willfulness and errors,
And add suspicions to this list of just accusations.
Bring me into the range of your frown,
But do not shoot at me with your awakened hatred
Since my defense is that I did strive to prove
The constancy and power of your love.
