W.B. Yeats (1865–1939). The Wild Swans at Coole. 1919.

30. On being asked for a War Poem

I THINK it better that in times like these

A poet keep his mouth shut, for in truth

We have no gift to set a statesman right;

He has had enough of meddling who can please

A young girl in the indolence of her youth,

Or an old man upon a winter’s night.