The little Love-god lying once asleep
Laid by his side his heart-inflaming brand,
Whilst many nymphs that vow'd chaste1 life to keep
Came tripping by; but in her maiden2 hand
The fairest votary3 took up that fire
Which many legions of true hearts had warm'd;
And so the general of hot desire
Was sleeping by a virgin4 hand disarm'd.
This brand she quenched5 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.
小小爱神有一次呼呼地睡着,
把点燃心焰的火炬放在一边,
一群蹁跹的贞洁的仙女恰巧
走过;其中最美的一个天仙
用她处女的手把那曾经烧红
万千颗赤心的火炬偷偷拿走,
于是这玩火小法师在酣睡中
便缴械给那贞女的纤纤素手。
她把火炬往附近冷泉里一浸,
泉水被爱神的烈火烧得沸腾,
变成了温泉,能消除人间百病;
但我呵,被我情妇播弄得头疼,
跑去温泉就医,才把这点弄清:
爱烧热泉水,泉水冷不了爱情。