Sonnet 154: The little Love-god lying once asleep

William Shakespeare 1564 (Stratford-upon-Avon) – 1616 (Stratford-upon-Avon)



The little love god lying once asleep
Laid by his side his heart-inflaming 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.

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on April 18, 2023

33 sec read
174

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABABCDCEFGHIJK
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 595
Words 110
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 14

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet, and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's greatest dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon". more…

All William Shakespeare poems | William Shakespeare Books

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