Classic Poem

Why should you choose to make your verse obscure?
The most expert grammarians it amazes,
Till Bentley doubts and Porson is not sure
About the meaning of your crabbed phrases;

No mortal can appreciate your style,
It needs the intellect of an Apollo;
Think you that Virgil being clear is vile,
And Cinna nobler being hard to follow?

Since in obscurity you put your trust,
If there be fame in that, your verse should win it:
Mine is for men of taste—no Dry-as-dust
Need toil to extricate the meaning in it.