Tweedledum and Tweedledee: Difference between revisions
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which may (or may not) have been old enough to be known to Byrom. | which may (or may not) have been old enough to be known to Byrom. | ||
This rhyme is now | This rhyme is now well known worldwide because [[Lewis Carroll]] | ||
included it in his second Alice book [[Through the Looking-Glass]] (1871) | included it in his second Alice book [[Through the Looking-Glass]] (1871) | ||
(Chapter IV. Tweedledum and Tweedldee). | (Chapter IV. Tweedledum and Tweedldee). | ||
Revision as of 15:45, 16 March 2010
The first known mention of Tweedledum and Tweedledee is found in an epigram (1727) by John Byrom. It targets the rivalry of two composers — Georg Friedrich Händel and Giovanni Battista Bononcini — in the London of the 1720s.
The pair appears again in a nursery rhyme (printed around 1805) which may (or may not) have been old enough to be known to Byrom.
This rhyme is now well known worldwide because Lewis Carroll included it in his second Alice book Through the Looking-Glass (1871) (Chapter IV. Tweedledum and Tweedldee).
The epigram (1927)
An Epigram on the Feuds between Handel and Bononcini
Some say, compared to Bononcini That Mynheer Handel's but a ninny; Others aver that he to Handel Is scarcely fit to hold a candle; Strange all this difference should be 'Twixt tweedle-dum and tweedle-dee.
The nursery rhyme
Tweedledum and Tweedledee Agreed to have a battle For Tweedledum said Tweedledee Had spoiled his nice new rattle.
Just then flew down a monstrous crow, As black as a tar-barrel; Which frightened both the heroes so, They quite forgot their quarrel.