Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law Commons^™

Poetic Law: A Statement On Intent, Maxwell L. Stearns

Vanderbilt Law Review

In poetry, allegiance to the verse

Lends power to the message in the text

.it Shakespeare's consistency gave his words force

In Hamlet, in King Lear, and in Macbeth

. And yet upon us, free form's presence reigns

- Defenders claim, expands the poet's choice

Removing from the poet meter's chains,

Is likened to providing the mute, voice.

. . .