(2) Three contiguous vowels with the accent on the second. There are two combinations possible, one of two vowels with the accent on the second and one of two vowels with the accent on the first. Apply the rules to these: e.g., fiáos has iá in two syllables by [I, rule 5 b] and áo in two syllables by [I, rule 1], so that the combination is trisyllabic; again, cambiáos has iá, a diphthong by [I, rule 5 b], and áo in two syllables by [I, rule 1], therefore the combination has two syllables; buey has ue, a diphthong by [I, rule 5 a], and ey, a diphthong by [I, rule 2], so that the whole combination is linked together and forms one syllable as a triphthong.
(3) Three contiguous vowels with the accent on the last. The combinations are one of two vowels before the accent plus one of two vowels accented on the last. So, applying the rules to rehuí, for example, we find eu (h mute) to be a dissyllable by the exception to [III, rule 2], and uí to be probably a dissyllable by [I, rule 7], so that the combination probably forms three syllables.
(4) Combinations of more than three vowels may be decomposed in a similar way. Thus, decaíais has aíai with four contiguous vowels in three combinations, viz., aí, a dissyllable by [I, rule 3]; ía, a dissyllable by [I, rule 4]; ai, a diphthong by [II, rule 2], so that the combination has three integral elements and three syllables.
N.B.—Despite all these rules, it should be noted that the tendency of the language is toward synæresis.
(β) The Value of Contiguous Vowels in Separate Words.
Between the vowels of separate words there may occur synalœpha or hiatus. Synalœpha is the contracting into a single syllable of the vowels ending one word and those beginning the next word, as in hombre ilustre, soberbio edificio, Si á un infeliz la compasión se niega.
The vowels thus contracted are still pronounced separately, except in cases of the repetition of the same vowel, where only a single prolonged sound is heard, as in casa ajena. As synalœpha may take place where synæresis would be impossible, it is governed by somewhat different rules.
Hiatus—which corresponds to diæresis within a word—occurs when there is no contraction of the final vowel of one word and the initial vowel of the next; as in la hora, bella obra.
The following general observations are necessary:
(1) Mute h is disregarded in the verse and does not prevent synalœpha.