Till once, 'tis faid, when all were fir'd, A foft refponfive voice was heard at every clofe, And Hope enchanted fmil'd, and wav'd her golden hair.[7] [1] With force and energy. [2] Read the two lines marked in a foft, tender manner. [8] Paufe after the word Fir,' and by your manner and look, exprefs the paffion of Fear. As you read the next line, put out your hand gently, in rather a flow, fearful, way, as if to lay it upon the chords of an inftrument. [4] Withdraw your hand fuddenly [5] This verfe, if read well, forms a fine contrafted effect with the other. [6] Read this verfe in a peculiar low, plaintive tone, expressive of the paffion described. [7] The beauty of these lines depends fo much upon such a nicety of expreffion, as cannot be taught on paper Let the last line but one be uttered in a fofter, gentler tone than the preceding. And longer had fhe fang-but with a frown He threw his blood-ftain'd sword in thunder down,[1] [2]The war denouncing trumpet took, And blew a taft fo loud and dread, Were ne'er prophetic founds fo full of woe; And ever and anon he beat The doubling drum with furious heat; And though fometimes each dreary paufe between, 3]Dejected Pity at his fide Her foul fubduing voice applied, Yet ftill he kept his wild, unalter'd mein, [his head. [4]While each ftrain d ball of fight feem'd burfting from Thy numbers, Jealousy, to nought were fix'd, Sad proof of thy diftrefsful ftate,[5] Of differing themes the veering fong was mix'd, And now it courted love now raving call'd or hate.[6] With eyes up-rais'd, as one infpir'd, Pale Melancholy[7] fat retir'd, And from her wild, fequefter'd feat, In notes more diftant made more fweet, Four'd through the mellow horn her penfive foul; [8] [9]And dafhing foft from rocks around, Bubbling runnels join'd the found; Through glades and gloom's the mingled meafare ftole, Or o'er fome haunted ftreams with fond delay, Round an holy calm diffufing, Love of peace and 1 nely mufing, [1] With great boldness and energy. [2] Be very energetic in the whole of this perfonification of Revenge. [3] The two lines marked in a foft and gentle voice, which alter when you read the next line. [4] This line with peculiar force and energy. [5 Read this line pathetically. [6] The first of this line soft and tender; the latter part bold and For cible. [7] Read Melancholy' with a heavy, drawling tone. 8 This line slot expressive of pensiveness and melancholy. [9] The whole of these lines must be read so as to display, in tone, look and manner, a kind of languid melancholy; the last line speak slowly, and let the words fall, dying from your lips, which method forms a fine contrast to the next verse which follows. In hollow murmurs died away. 1 But O, how alter'd was its fprightlier tone! When cheerfulness a nymph of healthieft hue, Her bow across her shoulders flung, Her burkins gem'd with morning dew,[2] Blew an infpiring air that dale and thicket rùng The oak-crown'd filters, and their challe ey'd queen, Peeping forth from alleys green; And fport leapt up and feiz'd his beachen fpear.[3] He with viny crown advancing, Firft to the lively-pipe his hand addrefs'd, Whofe fweet advancing voice he lov'd the best. To fome unwearied minitrel dancing, As if he would the charming air repay, Shook thoufand odours from his dewy wings.[4] [1] Here alter your look, tone, manner, and whole appearance, [2] The lines marked to be read as if enclosed in a parenthesis. [3] Let your manner keep pace with this beautiful personification of cheerfulness. Let your expression be sprightly, with unabated spirit to the end of the verse. [4] Keep yourself in unison with the passion described, and let a joyful expression glow throughout the whole. The remainder of the poem is omit ed, as affording no further opportunities in which a reader can exercise his talents. CHAPTER CXVII. HOW TO READ DR. COTTON'S FIRE SIDE. The reader who has a mind sufficiently strong to see the various beauties it contains, and possesses a taste for the art of reading, will exercise his own judgment in discriminating the nicety of expression and manner, though omitted in our occasional remarks. Let the two first words be fpoken in a tender, affectionate manner, and all the words marked with emphasis. EAR Chloe, while the bufy crowd, In folly's maze advance; Tho' fingularity and pride Be call'd our choice, we'll ftep afide, From the gay world we'll oft retite Of reft was Noah's dove bereft, Giving her vain excurfion o'er, The disappointed bird, once more, Explord the facred bark. Tho' fools fpurn Hymen's gentle powers, We, who improve his golden hours, By fweet experience know, That marriage. rightly understood (1) Read this line with a glow of expression. (1) Our babes fhall richest comforts bring; We'll form their minds with ftudious care, No borrow'd joys! they're all our own, Monarchs we envy not your ftate, And bless our humble lot. Our portion is not large, indeed! To want no more than may fuffice, (1) Read Our babes,' in an affectionate, impressive manner. (2) This line in a respectful, solemn tone, with a look above as you repeat it. (3) The words marked in a manner expressive of the greatest satisfaction. (4) Read this line in a serious, composed manner. |