Sonnet 153

by William Shakespeare · (no date)
Published 01/07/1880

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 borrow'd from this holy fire of Love

A dateless lively heat, still to endure,

And grew a seething 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 distemper'd guest,

      But found no cure: the bath for my help lies

      Where Cupid got new fire, my mistress' eyes.

#desire #healing #love #mythology #paradox #william shakespeare

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