The poet must put on the passion he wants to represent.
Who after wine, talks of wars hardships or of poverty.
It is not enough that poetry is agreeable, it should also be interesting.
The changing year's successive plan Proclaims mortality to man.
The envious pine at others' success; no greater punishment than envy was devised by Sicilian tyrants.
My cares and my inquiries are for decency and truth, and in this I am wholly occupied.