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