SECTION V.

Metrical Changes.

METRICAL CHANGES are used to signify those variations that are sometimes made in words by poetic license, to accommodate them to the measure which the verse requires.

These changes are frequently indicated by an apostrophe, which denotes that the word is abbreviated; but at the present time, custom seems inclined, in most instances, to omit this notation, and leave the reader to determine when such changes are necessary.

A syllable may sometimes be added to the end of a word in pronouncing it, which would not commonly be sounded.

RULE. When abbreviations are made in words, or additions are made to them by poetic license, they must generally be so far regarded in reading, as not to increase or diminish the number of syllables beyond what the measure requires.

NOTE. Whenever a line in verse contains a redundant letter or syllable, or more than the measure requires, it should either be entirely suppressed, or so slightly and rapidly uttered as to coalesce with the one following. Great care is necessary in reading lines of this description, in order to preserve the harmony.

In the following examples, the feet upon which metrical changes are made, are printed in italics.

EXAMPLES.
Abbreviations.

1. On ev | ěry side | with shad | ŏwy squad | rons deep, And hosts | infu | riäte shāke | the shud | dering ground.

QUESTIONS. What are metrical changes? How are they frequently indicated? What license do poets sometimes take with words? What is the rule for reading such lines as contain abbreviations or additions? How should redundant letters or

syllables be treated:

2. 'Tis mine to teach | th' inactive hand | to reap, Kind nature's boun | ties o'er | the globe diffused.

3. Bend 'gainst | the steep | y hill | thy breast, Who durst | defy | th' Omnipotent | to arms.

1.

Additions.

Let each

His adamantine coat gird well, and each

Fit well his helm, | gripe fast | his orb | ed* shield. 2. And now beneath them lay the wished-for spot,

The sacred bower | of that renowned bard.

In the first example, the last two syllables in the words every, shadowy, infuriate, and shuddering, are to be so pronounced as to coalesce in the sound of one syllable. In the second and third examples, the words th' inactive and th' Omnipotent, are pronounced [thin-active] and [thom-nipotent,] in order to preserve the measure and harmony. In the example under "additions," ed, in the words orbed and renowned, must be pronounced as a distinct syllable.

SECTION VI.

Reading Poetry.

The general direction for reading poetry is, to give it that measured, harmonious flow of sound, which distinguishes it from prose, without falling into a chanting, or sing-song pronunciation, which renders it ridiculous.

The rules already given for reading prose, are equally applicable to poetry. The metrical structure of poetry, however, requires a few additional ones, which it is proper here to introduce.

This is not properly the etymological figure of paragoge, but it has the same effect, when ed is pronounced as a distinct syllable.

10*

RULE 1. Poetry should be read with a fuller swell of the open vowels than prose, and in a more melodious and flowing manner.

EXAMPLE.

O! sacred Truth! | thy tri | umph ceased | awhile,
And Hope, thy sister, ceased with thee to smile,
When leagued oppression poured to northern wars
Her whiskered pandoors a and her fierce hussars,b
Waved her dread standard to the breeze of morn,
Pealed her loud drum, and twanged her trumpet horn.

RULE 2. Poetry should be read in such a manner as best to convey the meaning of the author, and all sing-song should be carefully avoided.

The italicized syllables mark the difference between the incorrect and the correct readings.

EXAMPLE.

Incorrect Reading.

Beware of too sublime a sense

Of your own worth and consequence.
The man, who dreams himself so great,

And his importance of such weight,

That all around, in all that's done,

Must move and act for him alone,

Will learn, in school of tribulation.

The folly of his expectation.

Pandoors, a kind of light infantry. b Hussars, mounted soldiers in the German army--cavalry.

QUESTIONS. What is rule first for reading poetry? What is rule second for reading poetry? What fault is presented in the incorrect reading of the example ?

Correct Reading.

Beware of too sublime a sense

Of your own worth and consequence.
The man, who dreams himself so great,
And his importance of such weight,
That all around, in all that's done,

Must move and act for him alone,
Will learn, in school of tribulation,
The folly of his expectation.

RULE 3. In reading poetry, care should also be taken not to emphasize particles and words that rhyme, unless the sense requires it.

QUESTIONS. What is rule third? What fault is presented in the incorrect reading

of the example?

GENERAL EXERCISES IN POETRY.

In reading the following exercises, the pupil should be careful to observe the proper inflections of the voice, the emphatic words, the harmonic and grammatical pauses, the metrical accent and metrical changes; and, at the same time, be particular to avoid such sing-song utterance, as would destroy all poetic beauty. He should also practice scanning the different kinds of verse, until he becomes familiar with all the measures.

EXERCISE I.

THE WOOD-ROSE AND LAUREL.- -A FABLE.

Iambic measure.-Lines of various lengths, consisting of four, three, and two feet.

1. În these | deep shādes | ǎ flow | rět blōws,

Whose leaves | ǎ thōu | sănd sweets | disclōse;
With modest air it hides its charms,

And every breeze its leaves alarms;
Turns on the ground its bashful eyes,
And oft unknown, neglected dies.
This flower, as late I careless strayed,
I saw in all its charms arrayed;
Fast by the spot where low it grew,
A proud and flaunting Wood-Rose blew.

2. With haughty air her head she raised,
And on the beauteous plant she gazed.
While struggling passion filled her breast,
She thus her kindling rage expressed; -
"Thou worthless flower,

Go, leave my bower,

QUESTIONS. What is the pupil required to observe in reading the general exercises in poetry? What is scanning? In what kind of measure is the first exercise? Of how many feet do the lines consist?