1. When eloquence stands straight, and reasoning
Makes strong the links of poems' inner meaning;

2. When tropes like roads the devious thought are leading,
And metaphors like springs the hidden sense revealing;

3. When near and far in apt assemblage mingle,
And union knits the loose and vague, compelling

4. In everything the fit comparison,
And each with peer in meet correlation;

5. Then if the land and folk you fain would mourn,
You make sad music from the soul's deep urn;

6. And to his cares and griefs his soul consign you;
Fortune lasts not against such gifts benign you.

7. And if some warrior you would praise, whose might
Is witnessed by his trophies of the fight,

8. You match him with the noble and refining,
And grace his arm with gifts and bounties shining;

9. Till in consenting lines his virtues glide,
In orderly design and measured tide.

10. And if twin meanings from your verse be shown,
You plant the doubt, and make the true sense known.

11. Or friend you chide for fault, with soft address,
Reproof in gentleness you make excess;

12. Till listening, he lets fall his arms, defenses,
Won by your charming wise benevolences.

13. Or if in amorous strains you paint your love,
And cunning words the bliss of union prove,

14. With sweet and tender phrase you still entice,
Veiled in enigma, but with meaning nice.

15. Or comrade you excuse with gentle speech,
Confessing clearly, but the fault beseech

16. To be forgotten; he will straightway bow
To true repentance of the broken vow.

17. For speech is fairer that informs the ear,
Than song, that only fascinates the mind's eye clear.