Explore "Austerity of Poetry" by Matthew Arnold on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
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.