Shakespeare's Sonnets (1923) Yale/Text/Sonnet 154
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For other versions of this work, see Sonnet 154 (Shakespeare).
154
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 4
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. 8
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, 12
Came there for cure, and this by that I prove,
Love's fire heats water, water cools not love.
1–14 Cf. n.
13 this: this truth: Love's fire, etc.
FINIS.