Milton's first poem shows style (4)
I believe the answer is:
mode
'style' is the definition.
(I know that style can be written as mode)
'milton's first poem' is the wordplay.
'milton's first' becomes 'm' (1st letter of 'milton').
'poem' becomes 'ode' (ode is a type of poem).
'm'+'ode'='MODE'
'shows' is the link.
(Other definitions for mode that I've seen before include "Fashion in dome" , "Fashion - look" , "Style of dome" , "Fashion; manner" , "Style, method" .)