2. 'Tis mine to teach | th' inac | tive hand | to reap,
|
Kind na | ture'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 renown | ed 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 1enders 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.

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 betweer 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 "ule second for reading poetry? What fault is presented in the incorrect reading of the example:

Correct Reading.

Beware of tro 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, ana two feet.

1. In 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?

3

And hide in humbler scenes thy head;

How dost thou dare,

Where roses are,

Thy scents to shed?

Go, leave my bower, and live unknown,—
I'll rule the field of flowers alone."

"And dost thou think," the Laurel cried,
And raised its head with modest pride,
While on its little, trembling tongue,
A drop of dew incumbent hung-

"And dost thou think I'll leave this bower,
The seat of many a friendly flower,

The scene where first I grew?
Thy haughty reign will soon be o'er,

And thy frail form will bloom no more; –

My flower will perish, too;

But know, proud rose,

When winter's snows,

Shall fall where once thy beauties stood,

My pointed leaf of shining green
Will still amid the gloom be seen,

To cheer the leafless wood."

4. "Presuming fool!" the Wood-Rose cried,

And strove in vain her shame to hide;

But ah! no more the flower could say;
For while she spoke, a transient breeze
Came rustling through the neighboring trees,
And bore her boasted charms away.

5. And such, said I, is beauty's power;
Like thee she falls, poor trifling flower;
And if she lives her little day,