The Sonnets (Modern)
Not Peer Reviewed
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154
¶The little love-god lying once asleep,
¶Laid by his side his heart-inflaming brand,
¶Whilst many nymphs that vowed chaste life to keep
2300Came tripping by, but in her maiden hand
¶The fairest votary took up that fire
¶Which many legions of true hearts had warmed;
¶And so the general of hot desire
¶Was, sleeping, by a virgin hand disarmed.
2305This 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,
¶_Came there for cure, and this by that I prove:
2310_Love's fire heats water, water cools not love.
