Austerity Of Poetry

<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN> <h3><i>AUSTERITY OF POETRY.</i></h3> <div class="poetry"> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> <span class="i0"><span class="smcap">That</span> son of Italy who tried to blow,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Ere Dante came, the trump of sacred song,<br/></span> <span class="i0">In his light youth amid a festal throng<br/></span> <span class="i0">Sate with his bride to see a public show.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Fair was the bride, and on her front did glow<br/></span> <span class="i0">Youth like a star; and what to youth belong,&mdash;<br/></span> <span class="i0">Gay raiment sparkling gauds, elation strong.<br/></span> <span class="i0">A prop gave way! crash fell a platform! Lo,<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Mid struggling sufferers, hurt to death, she lay!<br/></span> <span class="i0">Shuddering, they drew her garments off&mdash;and found<br/></span> <span class="i0">A robe of sackcloth next the smooth, white skin.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Such, poets, is your bride, the Muse! young, gay,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Radiant, adorned outside; a hidden ground<br/></span> <span class="i0">Of thought and of austerity within.<br/></span></div> </div></div> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />