The preamble's mention of 'hints among the clued entries' could suggest a written work - two entries suggest a possible verse form, three more suggest an author - but there are so many possibilities (including quite a few with the altered entry as their titles) that I didn't bother looking very far. My curiosity was satisfied when I stumbled on a (pretty loose) connection with a quote that includes the MD word - but it isn't in verse.
If the setter wants us to track down a specific work then highlighting the author should be required, and more information given to direct the search - 'hints' is just too broad a term, and searching for something you're not sure is even necessary soon becomes irksome (I think).