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Act I, Scene 154

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  • Shakespeare. The little Love-god lying once asleep
    Laid by his side his heart-inflaming brand, 2145
    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 2150
    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, 2155
    Came there for cure, and this by that I prove,
    Love's fire heats water, water cools not love.