Wiser man still (as who loved more the Muse)

By storing, at brain's edge and tip of tongue,

Old glory, great plays that had long ago

Made themselves wings to fly about the world,—

Not one such man was helped so at his need

As certain few that (wisest they of all)

Had, at first summons, oped heart, flung door wide

At the new knocking of Euripides,

Nor drawn the bolt with who cried "Decadence!

And, after Sophokles, be nature dumb!"