Question

A poet could not but be gay ( use help)

Answer 1

Answer:

A poet could not help but he gay.

Hope it helps.

Answer 2

Answer:

But – help I cannot but comply with his desire. (Use: help) – I cannot help complying with his desire. A poet could not but be gay in such a jocund company. (Remove 'but') – A poet could not help being gay in such a jocund company.