Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SONNET: 154, by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONNET: 154, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: The little love-god lying once asleep
Last Line: Love's fire heats water, water cools not love.


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
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.
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 diseased; but I, my mistress' thrall,
Came there for cure, and this by that I prove,
Love's fire heats water, water cools not love.







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