composed in collaboration with Lana Cencic

Sonnet 153 / Brand Name (George Held)

Sonnet 153
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 borrowed from this holy fire of Love,
A dateless lively heat, still to endure,
And grew a seething 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 distempered guest,
But found no cure, the bath for my help lies
Where Cupid got new fire; my mistress' eyes.

Brand Name
Whom had Cupid laid by his brand
Before he fell asleep?

Whom had Cupid enflamed with his brand
Before he fell asleep?

What was Cupid's brand, and did he switch
Before he fell asleep?

Tired of fletching love's arrows
And impressing his brand

On the hearts of ill-mated
Mortals, Mischief's child

Laid by his bow and his brand
And got some z's.

Brand Name © George Held (used with permission)