* Copyright: Copyright protection typically lasts for the lifetime of the author plus 70 years. Since the authors you're talking about have been dead for centuries, their works are in the public domain.
* Fair Use: Even if copyright were still in effect, quoting a poem in most contexts would likely fall under fair use, which allows for limited use of copyrighted material for purposes like education, criticism, or commentary.
However, there are a few exceptions:
* Specific editions or translations: If you are quoting from a specific, copyrighted edition or translation of a poem, you may need permission from the copyright holder of that particular edition or translation.
* Commercial use: If you intend to use the poem for commercial purposes (e.g., in a product or advertisement), you may need to obtain permission from the relevant copyright holder.
* Attributions: Even if you don't need permission, you must always attribute the poem to its original author, including the title, author, and date of publication (if known).
It's always good practice to do your research to make sure you understand the specific copyright status of the poem you're quoting. If in doubt, err on the side of caution and contact a copyright expert.