Pathetic. When I left thy shores, O Naxos, Spoke my bosom's struggling swell, Still the blue wave danced around us Grief. My boy refused his food, forgot to play, RULE 3. Whatever is grave, solemn or dignified, should generally be read in a moderately deep, full, and firm tone, with few inflections of voice, and slow movement. QUESTION. What is Rule Third, or the rule for the language of gravity, &c. I EXAMPLES. Gravity. Father! thy hand Hath reared these venerable colunins; Thou Didst weave this verdant roof; Thou didst look down Fit shrine for humble worshiper to hold Solemnity. How shocking must thy summons be, O Death! RULE 4. Whatever partakes of grandeur, sublimity, awe, or deep reverence, should generally be read on a low note, with slow movement, and a clear voice, approaching monotone. EXAMPLES. Grandeur. Night, sable goddess, from her ebon throne, In rayless majesty now stretches forth Her leaden scepter b'er a slumbering world. Silence how dead! and darkness how profound! Sublimity. The clouds now rolled, in volumes, over the mountain tops; their summits still bright and snowy, but the lower parts of an inky black ness. The rain began to patter down in broad and scattered drops, the wind freshened, and curled up the waves: at length it seemed as QUESTIONS. What are the subjects of the Examples under Rule Third? What is Rule Fourth? Will you name the subjects illustrated? How should language of this kind generally be read ? if the bellying clouds were torn open by the mountain tops, and complete torrents of rain came rattling down. The lightning leaped from cloud to cloud, and streamed quivering against the rocks, splitting and rending the stoutest forest trees. The thunder burst in tremendous explosions; the peals were echoed from mountain to mountain; they crashed upon Dunderburg, and then rolled up the long defile of the highlands, each headland making a new echo, until old Bull Hill seemed to bellow back the storm. All Reverence and Awe O thou Eternal One! whose presence bright space doth occupy; all motion guide; .Whom none can comprehend, and none explore, And what am I, then? Heaven's unnumbered host Though multiplied by myriads, and arrayed As shines the sunbeam in a drop of dew. I live, and breathe, and dwell; aspiring high, I am, O God, and surely thou must be. RULE 5. The language of scorn, contempt, or threatened revenge, requires, in most instances, a deep and guttural voice, rather slow movement, forcible utterance, and very emphatic significancy of expression. QUESTION. EXAMPLES. Scorn and Contempt. I would that now I could forget the wretch who stands before me; What is Rule Fifth, or the rule for the language of scorn For he is like the accursed and crafty snake! Hence! from my sight! Thou Satan, get behind me. And at thy music my poor soul to death Thou stand'st at length before me undisguised, – Revenge. If they wrong her honor, Nor fortune made such havoc of my means, Nor my bad life 'reft me so much of friends, But they shall find awaked in such a kind, RULE 6. Language expressing joy, mirth, or other pleasurable emotions, should be read with a quick movement, on a key slightly elevated, and with a smooth and flowing voice. EXAMPLES. Joy. Then is Orestes blest! My griefs are fled Fled like a dream! Methinks I tread in air! Surprising happiness! unlooked for joy! And darkness and doubt are now flying away; QUESTIONS. What are the subjects of the Examples under Rule Fifth? What is Rule Sixth, or the rule for language of joy, &c.? What are the subjects of the Exam ples under this rule, So breaks on the traveler faint and astray, The bright and the balmy effulgence of morn. Gayety. I come! I come! — ye have called me long; From the streams and founts I have loosed the chain; NOTE. When excessive joy is accompanied by strong excitement, it should be read on an elevated key, and sometimes even on the shouting pitch. EXAMPLE. Excessive Joy. Ye crags and peaks, I'm with you once again! To show they still are free. Methinks I hear And bid your tenant welcome to his home |