Music before all else,
and for that choose the irregular,
which is vaguer and melts better into the air...
Source: [De la musique avant toute chose,/ Et pour cela pr?f?re l'Impair,/ Plus vague et plus soluble dans l'air]; L'Art po?tique, 1.
-- Paul Verlaine, (Mar 30 1844-1896), French poet; His lyrics are known for their musical tone and gracefulness, e.g., Sagesse, 1881.