Sonnets
• To print this text, click here
• To save this text, go to your browser's File menu, then select Save As
- Shakespeare. The little Love-god lying once asleep
Laid by his side his heart-inflaming brand,
2145 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
2150 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 diseased; but I, my mistress' thrall,
2155 Came there for cure, and this by that I prove,
Love's fire heats water, water cools not love.
|
|