Ars est celare artem

The poem's title is taken from the Latin phrase, "ars est celare artem," which is a maxim from Ovid's Ars Amatoria.

“It is true art to conceal art.”--Ovid's Ars Amatoria

 

What mystery is poesy?

What purpose has its measured art?

Why ask, “To be or not to be,”

when tragedy assails the heart?

What destiny has the poet?

What fated wonder waits for him?

How best do his verses show it

when other’s light become more dim?

These hidden lines from soft, blue clime

have kept the mystery that binds,

that binds so ever: in due time,

it will be of all-speaking kinds!

These scrutinies from early time

have plagued unknowing, empty minds;

what won’t be known in surly time

will show itself in what one finds.