2. What would you have, you curs!
That like nor peace nor war? The one affrights you;
The other makes you proud. He that trusts you,
Where he should find you lions finds you hares;
Where foxes, geese. You are no surer, no,
Than is the coal of fire upon the ice,
Or hailstone in the sun.
3. To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow; a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
See "Reading Club," No. 1, p. 8; No. 2, p. 28; No. 3, p. 60; No. 4, p. 14.
PART FOUR.
HINTS ON ELOCUTION.
Practice.
If you have practised and studied the previous pages of this book, you will have gained an elementary knowledge of the science of elocution. Carlyle says, "The grand result of schooling is a mind with just vision to discern, with free force to do: the grand school-master is Practice." To make an artist of yourself in elocution requires much practice and much patience. As Longfellow says, "Art is long, and time is fleeting;" and the art of elocution is no exception to that truth.
Health.
You must have health, strength, and elasticity of body; and, to get and keep these, obey the laws of life as to exercise, rest, pure air, good food, and temperance in all things. Avoid all stimulants, or tobacco in any form. Practise any gymnastics that shall help to make you strong and sprightly, but especially the physical gymnastics here given, as they are designed to benefit the muscles used in speaking.