22 FEBRUARY 1986, Page 30

Triolet

I used to think all poets were Byronic Mad, bad and dangerous to know. And then I met a few. Yes it's ironic — I used to think all poets were Byronic. They're mostly wicked as a ginless tonic And wild as pension plans. Not long ago I used to think all poets were Byronic Mad, bad and dangerous to know.

Wendy Cope