William Shakespeare
1564-1616
Sonnet CLIV
The little
Love-god lying once asleep,
Laid by his side his
heart-inflaming brand,
Whilst many nymphs
that vow'd chaste life to keep
Came tripping by;
but in her maiden hand
The fairest votary
took up that fire
Which many legions
of true hearts had warm'd;
And so the general
of hot desire
Was, sleeping, by
a virgin hand disarm'd.
This brand she quenched
in a cool well by,
Which from Love's
fire took heat perpetual,
Growing a bath and
healthful remedy,
For men diseas'd;
but I, my mistress' thrall,
Came there for cure and this by that I prove,
Love's fire heats water, water cools not love.
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