[] LESSON XXXIX.-EVENING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. SILLIMAN. [This piece is designed for practice in 'moderate force'. The least excess of quantity, or volume of voice, in the reading of such pieces, disturbs the repose, and is at variance with the gentleness, of the scene. At the same time, care should be taken, that the tone do not become lifeless, from want of animation. A quiet but distinct utterance, should be maintained, throughout all such passages.] From the moment the sun is down, every thing becomes silent on the shore, which our windows overlook; and the murmurs of the broad St. Lawrence, more than two miles wide, immediately before us, and, a little way to the right, 5 spreading to five or six miles in breadth, are sometimes, for an hour, the only sounds that arrest our attention. Every evening since we have been here, black clouds and splendid moonlight have hung over, and embellished this tranquil scene; and, on two of these evenings, we have 10 been attracted to the window, by the plaintive Canadian boat-song. In one instance, it arose from a solitary voyager, floating in his light canoe, which occasionally appeared and disappeared on the sparkling river, and in its distant course seemed no larger than some sportive insect. In 15 another instance, a larger boat, with more numerous and less melodious voices, not, indeed, in perfect harmony, passed nearer to the shore, and gave additional life to the scene. A few moments after, the moon broke out from a throne of dark clouds, and seemed to convert the whole 20 expanse of water into one vast sheet of glittering silver; and, in the very brightest spot, at the distance of more than a mile, again appeared a solitary boat, but too distant to admit of our hearing the song, with which the boatman was probably solacing his lonely course. [1] LESSON XL.-AMERICA TO ENGLAND.-W. ALLSTON. [This piece furnishes an example of the energetic style, which, in Our fathers' native soil! 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 O'er the vast Atlantic wave to our shore: The world o'er! The Genius of our clime, With their conchs the kindred league shall proclaim, Though ages long have passed O'er untravelled seas to roam, Yet lives the blood of England in our veins! That blood of honest fame, Which no tyranny can tame While the language, free and bold, In which our Milton told How the vault of heaven rung, When Satan, blasted, fell with all his host; While this, with reverence meet, Ten thousand echoes greet, From rock to rock repeat Round our coast; While the manners, while the arts, That mould a nation's soul, Still cling around our hearts, Our joint communion breaking with the sun: Yet, still, from either beach, The voice of blood shall reach, "We are One!" [U] LESSON XLI.-THE AMERICAN EAGLE.-C. W. THOMSON. [The following piece affords scope for a degree of 'force' beyond that which was exemplified in the preceding lesson. In the second, third, and fourth stanzas, it rises to what is distinguished, in elocution, by the designation of 'empassioned force',-the fullest vehemence of voice, bordering on the shout, and, sometimes, passing into it. This style is found chiefly in lyric poetry; but it is sometimes exemplified in the vehement energy of prose, on exciting occasions ] Bird of the heavens! whose matchless eye Alone can front the blaze of day, And, wandering through the radiant sky, When thou hast ta'en thy seat alone, [1] 15 Bird of the cliffs! thy noble form 20 Might well be thought almost divine; By the fierce spirit of the blast, 30 The earliest tints of dawn are known, The monarch mount his gorgeous throne; That half impedes his glorious way; [1] Before the regent of the skies Men shrink, and veil their dazzled eyes; Hast kingly rank as well as he; 5 And with a steady, dauntless gaze [1] 10 Bird of Columbia! well art thou [I] 15 Like thee, majestic bird! like thee, With spreading wing, untired and strong, That mounts aloft, nor looks below, [II] 20 And will not quail though tempests blow. [] [1] [] The admiration of the earth, In grand simplicity she stands; 30 She mounts the heavens, serene and proud, Great in her spotless champion's name, 35 My native land! my native land! To her my thoughts will fondly turn; By rank, by faction unbeguiled; 5 Remembering still the rugged road When they through toil and danger press'd, And from each lip the caution fell 66 To those who follow'd, “ Guard it well.” LESSON XLII.-THE LAST EVENING BEFORE ETERNITY.- [The following extract is intended as an exercise in 'low' pitch of utterance. A deep, and comparatively hollow tone, pervades the reading of this piece, as it is characterized by the deepest solemnity. As an exercise in elocution, it is designed to cultivate the power of full and clear utterance, on a low key,—an attainment more difficult than most others, but of the greatest service to appropriate expression, in all solemn passages, whether in sacred or secular composi tions.] [.]* 5 10 15 20 By this, the sun his westering car drove low; Along the horizon castled shapes were piled, Turrets and towers, whose fronts embattled gleamed With deeper light the ruby blushed; and thick The heavenly legions, the assembled world, Round I gazed Where in the purple west, no more to dawn, Mild-twinkling through a crimson-skirted cloud, While gazing wistful on that peerless light, In dreams strange images will mix,) sad thoughts * For an example of 'very low' utterance, see LESSON XLVI. |