ПОСЛЕДНИЙ СОНЕТ ШЕКСПИРА

Sonnet CLIV

 

The little Love-god lying once asleep

Laid by his side his heart-inflaming brand,

Whilst many nymphs that vow'd chaste life to keep

Came tripping by; but in her maiden hand

 

The fairest votary took up that fire

Which many legions of true hearts had warm'd;

And so the general of hot desire

Was sleeping by a virgin hand disarm'd.

 

This brand she quenched 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.

 

 

Сонет 154

 

Божок любви, малютка Купидон,

любовный факел обронил, уснув.

Тут нимфы. Не посмев нарушить сон,

одна из них, на спящего взглянув,

 

схватила факел дерзкою рукой

и опустила в ледяной родник;

нарушила источника покой,

и жар в воде от пламени возник.

 

Огонь любви тот раньше согревал

огромное количество сердец.

На роднике однажды побывал

я – раб любви и от любви беглец.

 

Увы, родник меня не излечил.

Без толку тело в нём я омочил.