Juan de Mena, when he through

"Juan de Mena, when he through Had heard the polished stanza new, Looked most amused, and smiled as though He knew this secret long ago; Then said: 'I now have heard rehearse This endecasyllabic verse, Yet can I see no reason why It should be called a novelty, When I, long laid upon the shelf, Oft used the very same myself.' Don Jorge said: 'I do not see The most remote necessity To dress up what we wish to say In such a roundabout fine way; Our language, every body knows, Loves a clear brevity, but those Strange stanzas show, in its despite, Prolixity obscure as night.' Cartagena then raised his head From laughing inwardly, and said: 'As practical for sweet amours, These self-opinioned troubadours, With force of their new-fangled flame Will not, it strikes me, gain the game. Wondrously pitiful this measure Is in my eyes,—a foe to pleasure, Dull to repeat as Luther's creed, But most insufferable to read!'"