1. confess: reluctantly admit.  twain: parted.

3. blots: —The preceding sonnets (starting with #33) make it clear that there has been a rupture in the relationship between the poet and his beloved. The effect of that rupture upon the poet has been referred to as a rack of clouds and a stain. Now those evocative but obscure metaphors are succeeded by "blots."

5. but one respect: ? only one objective.

6. separable spite: i.e., an annoying matter, or a malignancy of fate, which is capable of separating us.

7. sole effect: ? unifying effect.

9. not evermore: never henceforth. acknowledge: i.e., publicly acknowledge our relationship. —It is clear that if the relationship were publicly acknowledged, the reputation of the beloved would be harmed; it is not clear why that should be so.

13-14. in such sort / As: in such a way that.

14. report: reputation.  —The final couplet also ends Sonnet 96.