Sonnet 154

The little Love-god lying once asleep              小爱神有次躺下来睡眠，

Laid by his side his heart-inflaming brand,        点爱焰的火把放置身边。

Whilst many nymphs that vow'd chaste life to keep  一群誓守贞洁的小天仙，

Came tripping by; but in her maiden hand           此时恰巧在他附近蹁跹。

The fairest votary took up that fire               最美的一位将火炬偷攥，
Which many legions of true hearts had warm'd;      它曾使无数心爱火烧燃。
And so the general of hot desire                   贞女缴其械，玉手芊芊，
Was sleeping by a virgin hand disarm'd.            可爱情大将却睡得正酣。
This brand she quenched in a cool well by,         她将火炬浸入附近冷泉，
Which from Love's fire took heat perpetual,        泉得爱火之热恒久不变。
Growing a bath and healthful remedy                竟成温泉，治病之灵丹，
For men diseased; but I, my mistress' thrall,      而我是情人的奴隶跟班。
Came there for cure, and this by that I prove,     我去那里治疗时才发觉，
Love's fire heats water, water cools not love.     爱火热水，爱却难冷却。

－by William Shakespeare (1564－1616)              东海仙子译