Note 196 — Chapter II · RHYTHM AS THE ESSENTIAL FACT OF POETRY

For example, classical rendering of verse, and even modern recitation, as among the Italians. “La plupart des Italiens ont, en lisant les vers, une sorte de chant monotone, appelé cantilene, qui détruit toute émotion,” says Mme. de Staël, Corinne, Chap. III.; but the “elocutionary” emotion is usually an impertinence in simple and cadenced lyric.