Nature to all things fixed the limits fit,

And wisely curbed proud man's pretending wit.
As on the land, while here the ocean gains,
In other parts it leaves wide sandy plains;
Thus in the soul, while memory prevails,
The solid power of understanding fails;
Where beams of warm imagination play,
The memory's soft figures melt away.

These lines have seldom any points inserted in the middle, even by the most scrupulous punctuists; and yet nothing can be more palpable to the ear, than that a pause in the first at things, in the second at curbed, in the third at land, in the fourth at parts, and in the fifth at soul, is absolutely necessary to the harmony of these lines; and that the sixth, by admitting no pause but at understanding, and the seventh none but at imagination, border very nearly

upon prose.

Rule 20.-At the end of every line in poetry there must be a pause proportioned to the intimate or remote connexion subsisting between the two lines.

Rule 21.-In order to form a cadence in a period in rhyming verse, we must adopt the falling inflexion with considerable force, in the cæsura of the last line but one.

One science only will one genius fit,
So vast is art, so narrow human wit;
Not only bounded to peculiar arts,

But oft in those confined to single parts;

Like kings we lose the conquests gained before,
By vain ambition still to make them more;
Each might his several province well command,
Would all but stoop to what they understand.

In repeating these lines, we shall find it necessary to form the cadence, by giving the falling inflexion with a little more force than common to the word province.

Rule 22.-A simile in poetry ought always to be read in a lower tone of voice than that part of the passage which precedes it.

'Twas then great Marlborough's mighty soul was
proved,

That in the shock of charging hosts unmoved,
Amidst confusion, horror and despair,

Examined all the dreadful scenes of war;
In peaceful thought the field of death surveyed,
To fainting squadrons sent the timely aid;
Inspired repulsed battalions to engage,
And taught the doubtful battle where to rage.
So when an angel, by divine command,
With rising tempests shakes a guilty land,
Such as of late o'er pale Britannia past:
Calm and serene he drives the furious blast;
And, pleased th' Almighty's orders to perform,
Rides on the whirlwind and directs the storm.

Rule 23.-Where there is no pause in the sense at the end of the verse, the last word must have exactly the same inflection it would have in prose.

O'er their heads a crystal firmament,

Where on a sapphire throne, inlaid with pure
Amber, and colours of the showery arch."

In this example, the word pure must have the falling inflection, whether we make any pause at it or not, as this is the inflection the word would have, if the sentence were pronounced prosaically. For the same reason the words re

tired and went, in the following example, must be pronounced with the rising inflection.

At his command th' uprooted hills retired
Each to his place; they heard his voice and went
Obsequious; heaven his wonted face renewed,
And with fresh flowerets hill and valley smiled.

Rule 24.-Sublime, grand, and magnificent description in poetry, frequently requires a lower tone of voice, and a sameness nearly approaching to a monotone, to give it variety. Hence! loathed Melancholy,

Of Cerberus and blackest Midnight born,

In Stygian cave forlorn,

'Mongst horrid shapes and shrieks, and sights unholy; Find out some uncouth cell,

Where brooding darkness spreads his jealous wings, And the night raven sings;

There under ebon shades and low-browed rocks,

As ragged as thy locks,

In dark Cimmerian desert ever dwell.

In repeating this passage, we shall find the darkness and horror of the cell wonderfully augmented, by pronouncing the eighth line, There, under ebon shades, and low-browed rocks, in a low monotone.

Rule 25.-THE INTERROGATION. An interrogation generally requires a longer stop than a period; because an answer is either returned or implied: and consequently a proper interval of silence is necessary.

Interrogative sentences are to be read with an elevation of the voice, as they are usually spoken

in conversation. Practise the following exam

ples.

Have you seen your friend?
Is he better or worse?

What caused his accident?
Is he able to ride?

Do you believe such a tale?
Are you so foolishly credulous?
Do you expect to deceive me?
Am I void of reason?

What man will venture further?

Who then can charge me with cowardice?

Who can view such misery without pity?
Who can restrain his tears?

Do we not all need assistance?
Ought we to withhold our aid?

Wherein does happiness consist?
In what scene of life is it to be found?
Is it to be purchased by riches?
Can we obtain it by power?

What think you of dress and equipage?
What is your opinion of fame?

Does felicity consist in amusements?
Is it to be acquired by knowledge?
Is it not to be derived from religion?

Examples of Interrogations and Answers.

Which now of these three, was neighbour to him that fell among thieves? He that showed mercy to him.

What is your favourite pursuit? The improvement of my mind.

Can you forgive me, and be still my friend? As firmly as I have ever been.

Why shrinks the soul

Back on herself, and startles at destruction?
'Tis the Divinity that stirs within us.

Where are you now? and what is your amount? Vexation, disappointment, and remorse.

To purchase heaven, has gold the power?
Can gold remove the mortal hour?

In life, can love be bought with gold?
Are friendship's pleasures to be sold?
No. All that's worth a wish or thought.
Fair virtue gives unbribed, unbought.

Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hands? No.

Dost thou then love him better than thyself? No; I love him as myself.

Rule 26.-THE EXCLAMATION.

An ex

clamation requires an elevation of voice, and such a pause as may seem to give room for a momentary reflection. Practise the

following examples.

Hear me, O Lord! for thy loving kindness is great!

How doth the city sit solitary that was full of people! how is she become as a widow! She that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary!

Fathers! Senators of Rome! the arbiters of nations! to you I fly for refuge.

I'll call thee, Hamlet!

King! Father! Royal Dane! oh! answer me!
Eternity! thou pleasing dreadful thought!

How much vanity is in the pursuits of men!
Live! live! ye incomparable pair!

What a noble scene is before us!
How charming is the face of nature!

Behold the daughter of innocence!

What a look! what beauty! what sweetness!

Behold a great and good man!

What majesty! how graceful! how commanding!

O venerable shade! O illustrious hero!

Behold the effects of virtue!

Leave me, oh! leave me to repose!