Sonnet 153
Cupid laid by his brand and fell asleep,
A maid of Dian’s this advantage found,
And his love-kindling fire did quickly steep
In a cold valley-fountain of that ground:
Which borrowed from this holy fire of Love,
A dateless lively heat still to endure,
And grew a seeting bath which yet men prove,
Against strange maladies a sovereign cure:
But at my mistress’ eye Love’s brand new-fired,
The boy for trial needs would touch my breast,
I sick withal the help of bath desired,
And thither hied a sad distempered guest.
But found no cure, the bath for my help lies,
Where Cupid got new fire; my mistress’ eyes.
Copyright Credit: William Shakespeare, “Sonnet 153” from SHAKE-SPEARES SONNETS. London: G. Eld for T. T. and sold by William Aspley, 1609. Public domain.
Source: SHAKE-SPEARES SONNETS (G. Eld for T. T. and sold by William Aspley, 1609)