Shakespeare's Sonnets Navigator Summary of Sonnet 117 in the Table of Contents Notes for Sonnet 117

Shakespeare's Sonnet 117


  1    Accuse me thus: that I have scanted all
  2    Wherein I should your great deserts repay,
  3    Forgot upon your dearest love to call,
  4    Whereto all bonds do tie me day by day;
  5    That I have frequent been with unknown minds,
  6    And given to time your own dear-purchased right;
  7    That I have hoisted sail to all the winds
  8    Which should transport me farthest from your sight.
  9    Book both my willfulness and errors down,
 10    And on just proof surmise accumulate;
 11    Bring me within the level of your frown,
 12    But shoot not at me in your wakened hate:
 13      Since my appeal says I did strive to prove
 14      The constancy and virtue of your love.

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