Why is it that Poetry has never yet been subjected to that process of Dilution which has proved so advantageous to her sister-art Music? The Diluter gives us first a few notes of some well-known Air, then a dozen bars of his own, then a few more notes of the Air, and so on alternately: thus saving the listener, if not from all risk of recognising the melody at all, at least from the too-exciting transports which it might produce in a more concentrated form. The process is termed "setting" by Composers, and any one, that has ever experienced the emotion of being unexpectedly set down in a heap of mortar, will recognise the truthfulness of this happy phrase. <br /> <br />For truly, just as the genuine Epicure lingers lovingly over a <br />morsel of supreme Venison - whose every fibre seems to murmur "Excelsior!" - yet swallows, ere returning to the toothsome dainty, great mouthfuls of oatmeal-porridge and winkles: and just as the perfect Connoisseur in Claret permits himself but one delicate sip, and then tosses off a pint or more of boarding-school beer: so also - <br /> <br /> <br />I NEVER loved a dear Gazelle - <br />NOR ANYTHING THAT COST ME MUCH: <br />HIGH PRICES PROFIT THOSE WHO SELL, <br />BUT WHY SHOULD I BE FOND OF SUCH? <br /> <br />To glad me with his soft black eye <br />MY SON COMES TROTTING HOME FROM SCHOOL; <br />HE'S HAD A FIGHT BUT CAN'T TELL WHY - <br />HE ALWAYS WAS A LITTLE FOOL! <br /> <br />But, when he came to know me well, <br />HE KICKED ME OUT, HER TESTY SIRE: <br />AND WHEN I STAINED MY HAIR, THAT BELLE <br />MIGHT NOTE THE CHANGE, AND THUS ADMIRE <br /> <br />And love me, it was sure to dye <br />A MUDDY GREEN OR STARING BLUE: <br />WHILST ONE MIGHT TRACE, WITH HALF AN EYE, <br />THE STILL TRIUMPHANT CARROT THROUGH.<br /><br />Lewis Carroll<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/tema-con-variazioni/
