First Magnificat, 1864
His first Magnificat is likely to
Have been the one he heard performed while
He was still at Eton as a boy. True
To truth he hated it—thought it was vile—
When he looked back on it. He called it bad.
He called it “bad.” In 1865
He looked at it again and felt he had
To call it “very bad.” He didn’t skive
From treating it severely. This firm youth
Scorned failure. He refused to be too mild
In his self-censorship. He told the truth.
He was not pathetic. No. He reviled
His young lacklustre piece. Composing two
Or three mature ones more, he won right through.