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Sonnet 117: Accuse me thus: that I have scanted all

William Shakespeare·1564–1616
Lines:14Movement:English Renaissance
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 given to time your own dear-purchas'd right;That I have hoisted sail to all the windsWhich should transport me farthest from your sight.Book both my wilfulness and errors down,And on just proof surmise, accumulate;Bring me within the level of your frown,But shoot not at me in your waken'd hate; Since my appeal says I did strive to prove The constancy and virtue of your love.