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Shakespeare's Sonnets - Sonnet 153
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Last updated: Fri, Jul 31, 2015
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Shakespeare's Sonnets - Sonnet 153Sonnet 153
153
Synopsis:
This sonnet uses an ancient parable to demonstrate that love’s fire is unquenchable. It goes on to argue that only the mistress’s eyes can cure the poet.
Cupid laid by his brand and fell asleep.
A maid of Dian’s this advantage found,
And his love-kindling fire did quickly steep
4In a cold valley-fountain of that ground,
Which borrowed from this holy fire of Love
A dateless lively heat, still to endure,
And grew a seething bath which yet men prove
8Against 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
12And thither hied, a sad distempered guest,
But found no cure. The bath for my help lies
Where Cupid got new fire—my mistress’ ⌜eyes.⌝