Austerity Of Poetry [Sonnet]

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Title:     Austerity Of Poetry [Sonnet]
Author: Matthew Arnold [More Titles by Arnold]

That son of Italy who tried to blow,[1]
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.

 

[Footnote 1:

_That son of Italy who tried to blow._

Giacopone di Todi.]

[The end]
Matthew Arnold's poem: Austerity Of Poetry [sonnet]

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