The words longing and lingering express most forcibly the reluctance with which mankind quit this state of existence.
Pope has many beauties of this kind.
"And grace and reason, sense and virtue split,
With all the rash dexterity of wit."
The mute consonants, with which these lines end, express the idea of rending asunder, with great energy and effect. The words rash and dexterity are also judiciously chosen.
In describing the delicate sensations of the most refined love, he is remarkable for his choice of smooth flowing words. There are some passages in his Eloisa and Abelard, which are extended to considerable length, without a single mute consonant or harsh word.
Of READING VERSE.
With respect to the art of reading verse, we can lay down but a few simple rules; but these may perhaps be useful.
1. Words should be pronounced as they are in prose and in conversation; for reading is but rehearsing another's conversation.
2. The emphasis should be observed as in prose. The voice should bound from accent to accent, and no stress should be laid on little unimportant words, nor on weak syllables.