Page:Modern poets and poetry of Spain.djvu/92



who begins an instrument to play,

With some preludings, will examine well

How run the fingers, how the notes will swell,

And bow prepares, or breath for his essay;

Or if to write the careful penman's aim,

He cuts and proves his pen, if broad or fine;

And the bold youths, to combat who incline,

Strike at the air, as trial of the game:

The dancer points his steps with practised pace;

The orator harangues with studied grace;

The gamester packs his cards the livelong day;

I thus a Sonnet, though worth nothing, trace,

Solely to exercise myself this way,

If prove the Muse propitious to my lay.