Page:The poetical works of Matthew Arnold, 1897.djvu/207

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SONNETS.

AUSTERITY OF POETRY

That son of Italy who tried to blow,8
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, adorned outside; a hidden ground
Of thought and of austerity within.




A PICTURE AT NEWSTEAD.

What made my heart, at Newstead, fullest swell?—
'Twas not the thought of Byron, of his cry
Stormily sweet, his Titan-agony;
It was the sight of that Lord Arundel