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. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FLOWERS OF THE FOREST by ALISON RUTHERFORD EDONI: THE WORSHIP OF COTYS by AESCHYLUS SABBATH MORNING by L. DALE AHERN NO-MORE-FEAR by WILLIAM ROSE BENET TIRESOME SPRING by PIERRE JEAN DE BERANGER DREAM OF LIFE by MARY ELIZABETH BROOKS THE BRIDEGROOM TO HIS BRIDE by MARY ANN BROWNE THE LITTLE FRIEND; WRITTEN IN THE BOOK WHICH SHE MADE & SENT by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING |