Shakespeare's Sonnet 154
Shakespeare sonnet 154 (help·info) Help with ogg audio play.
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.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3c/Rinc%C3%B3n_de_la_Vieja_Hot_Spring.jpg/400px-Rinc%C3%B3n_de_la_Vieja_Hot_Spring.jpg)