Stout Lartius hurled down Aunus Into the stream beneath: Herminius struck at Seius, And clove him to the teeth: At Picus brave Horatius Darted one fiery thrust; And the proud Umbrian's gilded arms Clashed in the bloody dust.
Here the mind passes in succession from the action of Lartius to that of Herminius and that of Horatius. A long pause is required after "beneath," "teeth," and "dust," with a shorter pause after "Seius" and after "thrust." Further, if the thoughts concern actions far apart, more time is required to make the transition, and hence a longer pause:
All day long that free flag toss'd Over the heads of the rebel host.
Ever its torn folds rose and fell On the loyal winds that loved it well;
And through the hill-gaps, sunset light Shone over it with a warm good-night.
Barbara Frietchie's work is o'er, And the Rebel rides on his raids no more.
Note the transition in thought from the day on which these stirring events are supposed to have taken place to the present time. This is indicated by a long pause after "warm good-night."
Sometimes the mind requires time to fill in ideas suggested but not expressed:
Forty flags with their crimson bars, Flapped in the morning wind: the sun Of noon look'd down and saw not one.
Here, the tearing down of the flags between the morning and noon, is suggested to the mind; hence a long pause after "wind."
Where an ellipsis occurs and the meaning is not obvious, there is a pause to give time to realize the logical connection:
I'd rather rove with Edmund there Than reign our English queen.
Here's the English can and will!