Sonnet 154

The little Love-god lying once asleep

Laid by his side his heart-infaming brand，

Whilst many nymphs that vowed 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 warmed；

And so the general of hot desire

Was sleeping by a virgin hand disarmed.

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 discased；but I, my mistress'thrall，

Came there for cure, and this by that I prove，

Love's fire heats water, water cools not love.

一五四

小小爱神有一次呼呼地睡着，

把点燃心焰的火炬放在一边，

一群蹁跹的贞洁的仙女恰巧

走过；其中最美的一个天仙

用她处女的手把那曾经烧红

万千颗赤心的火炬偷偷拿走，

于是这玩火小法师在酣睡中

便缴械给那贞女的纤纤素手。

她把火炬往附近冷泉里一浸，

泉水被爱神的烈火烧得沸腾，

变成了温泉，能消除人间百病；

但我呵，被我情妇播弄得头疼，

跑去温泉就医，才把这点弄清：

爱烧热泉水，泉水冷不了爱情。