Many a time, in verse (3)
I believe the answer is:
oft
'many a time in verse' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for oft that I've seen before include "(Poetically) frequently" , "''... in the stilly night'' (Moore melody)" , "Frequently, in verse" , "Many a time to the poet." , "Many times (archaic)" .)