Sonnet Cliii

William Shakespeare

     Cupid laid by his brand, and fell asleep:
     A maid of Dian's this advantage found,
     And his love-kindling fire did quickly steep
     In a cold valley-fountain of that ground;
     Which borrow'd from this holy fire of Love
     A dateless lively heat, still to endure,
     And grew a seething bath, which yet men prove
     Against strange maladies a sovereign cure.
     But at my mistress' eye Love's brand new-fired,
     The boy for trial needs would touch my breast;
     I, sick withal, the help of bath desired,
     And thither hied, a sad distemper'd guest,
     But found no cure: the bath for my help lies
     Where Cupid got new fire--my mistress' eyes.

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