Note 265 — Chapter III · THE TWO ELEMENTS IN POETRY
Reading edition
For writers in the vulgar tongue, Dante reverses the rule of more matter and less art. They are too facile. “Pudeat ergo, pudeat idiotas tantum audere deinceps, ut ad cantiones prorumpant,” de vulgar. Eloq., Cap. vi. The canzone must not be content with the speech of common life; let it essay an exalted style.