Sonnet 96

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<	Sonnet 96	>
Some say thy fault is youth, some wantonness; Some say thy grace is youth and gentle sport; Both grace and faults are lov'd of more and less: Thou mak'st faults graces that to thee resort. As on the finger of a throned queen The basest jewel will be well esteem'd, So are those errors that in thee are seen To truths translated, and for true things deem'd. How many lambs might the stern wolf betray, If like a lamb he could his looks translate! How many gazers mightst thou lead away, If thou wouldst use the strength of all thy state! But do not so; I love thee in such sort, As, thou being mine, mine is thy good report.
–William Shakespeare

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Shakespeare's sonnets

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141	142	143	144	145	146	147	148	149	150
151	152	153	154

Sonnet 96 is one of 154 sonnets written by the English playwright and poet William Shakespeare. It's a member of the Fair Youth sequence, in which the poet expresses his love towards a young man.

[edit] Synopsis

The youth's errors are blamed on his age, but others say youths should enjoy themselves. The youth makes faults into charms, like poor-quality jewels on a queen. The follies of the youth appear to be truths, like wolves who appear to be lambs and lead the lambs astray. The youth could do the same, but should not do so, because such behaviour will also reflect badly on the poet.