The little Love-god lying once asleep
有一次,小爱神沉沉走入梦乡,
Laid by his side his heart-inflaming brand,
他那点燃情焰的火炬就放在身旁,
Whilst many nymphs that vow'd chaste life to keep
许多发誓长保童贞的仙女这时路过,
Came tripping by; but in her maiden hand
其中最美的那个仙女玉手轻扬,
The fairest votary took up that fire
将爱神的火炬偷偷地拿起,
Which many legions of true hearts had warm'd;
那火炬曾温暖过千万人的心房。
And so the general of hot desire
可怜这欲望如火的堂堂大将,
Was sleeping by a virgin hand disarm'd.
却在梦中被玉女解除了武装。
This brand she quenched in a cool well by,
她在附近的冷泉里浇灭了火炬,
Which from Love's fire took heat perpetual,
于是爱火之热便永在泉水里隐藏,
Growing a bath and healthful remedy
从此温泉长在,成为治病良方。
For men diseased; but I, my mistress' thrall,
因为我的情人使我愁锁肝肠,
Came there for cure, and this by that I prove,
我于是到温泉求治却悟出了真理:
Love's fire heats water, water cools not love.
爱火能使水发烫,水却难使爱火凉。