Shakespeare’s sonnet opens with a mischievous Cupid dozing off, allowing a nymph to steal his love-kindling torch and plunge it into a cold valley spring. That legendary act created a hot, healing bath said to cure all ailments. But the speaker finds no relief there. His mistress’s eyes have rekindled Cupid’s flame, and when the boy-god tests it on him, he falls sick with desire. He seeks the bath in desperation, a sorrowful guest, only to discover it’s powerless against his inner fever. The real cure, he knows, waits in the very place where Cupid got new fire: his lover’s bright, tormenting eyes. The sonnet’s playful myth-making gives way to a tender, almost helpless mood—love as an incurable burn that only the beloved can soothe.
Sonnet 153: Cupid laid by his brand and fell asleep — Summary
Cupid laid by his brand and fell asleep: A maid of Dian's this advantage found, And his love-kindling fire did quickly steep In a cold valley-fountain of that ground; Which borrow'd from this holy fire of Love, A dateless lively heat, still to endure, And grew a seeting bath, which yet men prove Against 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, And thither hied, a sad distemper'd guest, But found no cure, the bath for my help lies Where Cupid got new fire; my mistress' eyes.