EXAMPLES. (39)
1. May one be pardoned, and retain—the offense?
In the corrupted currents of this world,
Offense's gilded hand may shove by—justice;
And oft 'tis seen, the wicked prize itself
Buys out the law: but 't is not so—above:
There—is no shuffling: there—the action lies
In its true nature.
2. He woke to hear his sentries shriek,
"To arms! they come! the Greek! the Greek!
He woke—to die—midst flame and smoke."
3. This—is no flattery: These—are counselors
That feelingly persuade me what I am.
4. And this—our life, exempt from public haunt,
Finds tongues—in tree, books—in the running brooks,
Sermons—in stones, and—good in everything.
5. Heaven gave this Lyre, and thus decreed,
Be thou a bruised—but not a broken—reed.
IV. INSTRUCTIONS FOR READING VERSE. (39)
INFLECTIONS.
In reading verse, the inflections should be nearly the same as in reading prose; the chief difference is, that in poetry, the monotone and rising inflection are more frequently used than in prose. The greatest difficulty in reading this species of composition, consists in giving it that measured flow which distinguishes it from prose, without falling into a chanting pronunciation.
If, at any time, the reader is in doubt as to the proper inflection, let him reduce the passage to earnest conversation, and pronounce it in the most familiar and prosaic manner, and thus he will generally use the proper inflection.