Austerity of Poetry + 

That son of Italy who tried to blow, + 

Ere Dante came, the trump of sacred song, + 

In his light youth amid a festal throng + 

Sate with his bride to see a public show. + 

Fair was the bride, and on her front did glow + 

Youth like a star; and what to youth belong, + 

Gay raiment, sparkling gauds, elation strong. + 

A prop gave way! crash fell a platform! lo, + 

Mid struggling sufferers, hurt to death, she lay! + 

Shuddering they drew her garments off⁠—and found + 

A robe of sackcloth next the smooth, white skin. + 

Such, poets, is your bride, the Muse! young, gay, + 

Radiant, adorn’d outside; a hidden ground + 

Of thought and of austerity within. + 