The poem is divided into three 10-line stanzas. Stanza one is composed of five rhyming couplets with the rhyme pattern aabbccddee. In verse two, the rhyme pattern begins to break down, as though representing the disturbance of the approaching storm. By stanza three, a new rhyme scheme: ababccddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd which continues through line nine. This poem is often called a "cozy apologist" because it defends the pleasures of reading for its own sake during times when such activities were considered dangerous, in this case, during the American Revolution. It was written by Alexander Pope. Here are the first eight lines of Cozy Apologia: "To read and study literature is useful and necessary; It improves the mind and teaches us to know ourselves; It raises our thoughts above terrestrial concerns; It makes us happy and joyful even in difficult circumstances; It prevents us from falling into sin; It keeps us healthy and strong; It is the source of many virtues. These are just some of the reasons why reading is important.