1. Poetry hopes for epiphanies of thought
And poems have indifference and zeal

2. Meters have seas those who long for sail therein for a while
It calls them, and for a while their hopes are dashed

3. When meanings are generous with their pearls
Prosody adorns them, not verbs and epithets

4. Its eloquence is the magic of its secrets revealed
The subtleties of wisdom its felicity foretells

5. We fold and unfold, giving its jewels assortment
Convention, collection, separation forms entanglement

6. It unravels the knots of its lofty ideas with metaphor
Taste and simile adorn it like a chain

7. It is too proud for any to reach it save its nobility
Hopes for it have terms, and grace has none

8. It receives praise lending its own commendation
And suffices therewith in praise, no words

9. The gems of verse fall short describing its beauty
Curtailment, favor, and summation show compassion

10. It has blessed with an untrodden path, so it thrives
Its rising was felicity, and in felicity, ascent

11. It surpassed the virgins of language and towered
In rank, generations boast of its pride

12. It enlightened minds with its reasoning and held fast
To wisdom, and correcting wisdoms needs reason’s test

13. Thoughts have sculpted its form and risen thereby
To preference’s lofty office its heroes

14. The meanings of description contested it and busied
Themselves describing its subject of inscription

15. And how many men did time render renowned
With the banner of glory in its racecourse soared

16. Alas! Alas! Grasping their feat is arduous
Beyond that lie hazards and horrors untold

17. And every science and art continued to praise them
With masterpieces of gratitude for what they were given

18. Still their era thrives whenever brought to mind
Poetry hopes for epiphanies of thought