LESSON XVII.

Rules for Emphasis.-Continued.

IV.-Emphasis falls on the accented syllable of the word, except where the new idea is contained in an unaccented syllable.

EXAMPLE.

This should be inaccented.

V. The fewer emphases you can give and still leave the meaning clear, the better.

Emphasis upon unimportant words tends to confuse the hearer. Lead directly up to the key-word of the phrase, and let whatever follows take its own course. Do not say, for instance, in the example quoted below, "I would never lay down my ARMS," which would imply that you might do a great many other things equally as bad, possibly lay down your head; the thought is "never."

EXAMPLES.

Review Lessons III., VII., XIII.,

The old mayor | climbed the belfry tower ||
The ringers ran by two, by three; |||
Pull if ye never pulled before ||

XV.

R. I.

Good ringers, pull your BEST, | quoth he. || R. II.
Play uppe, play uppe, O Boston bells ||

Ply all your changes || all your swells, ||

Play uppe "The Brides of ENDERBY."

R. II. Exception.
R. III.

R. III. Note.

-Jean Ingelow.

Analyze also for inflection. Would the old mayor's appeal be major or minor, and why?

The kettle began it! Don't tell me what Mrs. Peerybingle said. I know better. (1) Mrs. Peerybingle may leave it on record to the end of time that she couldn't say which of them began it; but I say the kettle did. (2) I ought to know, I hope! The kettle began it, full five minutes by the little waxy-faced Dutch clock in the corner, before the cricket uttered a chirp. (3) Why, I am not naturally positive. Every one knows that I wouldn't set my own opinion against the opinion of Mrs. Peerybingle, unless I were quite sure, on any account whatever. Nothing should induce me. But this is a question of fact. And the fact is (4) that the kettle began it at least five minutes before the cricket gave any sign of being-inexistence. (5) Contradict me, and I'll say ten.-Dickens.

This is an example of colloquial speech, every-day conversation. It is animated, but not nearly so forcible as the preceding selection, which requires, here and there, very powerful emphasis. The style of delivery should be light and tripping, with much self-assertion. We are continually making contrasts between Mrs. Peerybingle and the writer or speaker, and between the kettle and the cricket. Bring out these contrasts with great earnestness.

(1) Would you say "I know better" or "I know better"? Why? (See Rule V.)

(2) "I say the kettle did." (See Rule II.) Why? (3) Point out the most emphatic word in this sentence, and tell why.

(4) "And the fact is" or "and the fact is"?

(5) Two words are especially emphatic here; which are they, and which of the two is the more emphatic, that is, the more important?

Which is the most emphatic word in the entire selection, and why?

You cannot, my lords, you cannot (1) conquer America. What is your present situation there? (2) We do not know the worst, but we know that in three campaigns we have done nothing and suffered much. You may swell every expense, accumulate every assistance, and extend your traffic to the shambles of every German despot. Your attempts will be forever vain and impotent, doubly so, indeed, from this mercenary aid on which you rely; for it irritates to an incurable resentment the minds of your adversaries to overrun them with the mercenary sons of rapine and plunder, devoting them and their possessions to the rapacity of hireling cruelty. If I were an American, as I am an Englishman, while a foreign troop was landed in my country I would never lay down my arms-never, never, never!-Lord Chatham.

(1) This is the preferred emphasis. It brings out more strongly the feeling that conquest is impossible than repetition of the word with its ordinary accent could do. (See Rule IV.)

(2) "Present" or "situation"? why not "there"? Make this a study in pause as well, both for the separation of ideas and for emphasis.

EXAMPLES FOR PRACTICE.

O green was the corn as I rode on my way,
And bright were the dews on the blossoms of May,
And dark was the sycamore's shade to behold,
And the oak's tender leaf was of emerald and gold.

The thrush from his holly, the lark from his cloud,
Their chorus of rapture sang jovial and loud:

From the soft vernal sky to the soft grassy ground,
There was beauty above me, beneath, and around.-Heber.

Paul Revere was a rider bold

Well have his valorous deeds been told;
Sheridan's ride was a glorious one—
Often has it been dwelt upon;

But why should men do all the deeds

On which the love of a patriot feeds?-Will Carleton.

If when I meet my brother man
Adrift on life's uncertain sea,
To him I give whate'er I can,
The honor's not to me.

For God to me has freely given
From out His bounteous store,

So give I of the all I have,

And only wish 'twere more.

And as I leave, with tearful eyes,
My brother who to me was sent,
I feel that God has, in disguise,
Another blessing to me lent.

What is genius? Is it worth anything? Is splendid folly the measure of its inspiration? Is wisdom its base or summit-that which it recedes from or tends towards? And by what definition do you award the name to the creator of an epic and deny it to the creator of a country? On what principle is it to be lavished

on him who sculptures in perishing marble the image of possible excellence, and withheld from him who built up in himself a transcendent character, indestructible as the obligations of Duty, and beautiful as her rewards?-E. P. Whipple.

Whither, 'midst falling dew,

While glow the heavens with the last steps of day,
Far, through their rosy depths, dost thou pursue
Thy solitary way?

Vainly the fowler's eye

Might mark thy distant flight to do thee wrong,
As, darkly painted on the crimson sky,

Thy figure floats along.

-Bryant, "To a Waterfowl."

Soars thy presumption, then, so high,
Because a wretched kern ye slew,
Homage to name to Roderick Dhu?
He yields not, he to man nor Fate!
Thou add'st but fury to my hate;
My clansman's blood demands revenge.
Not yet prepared? By heaven, I change
My thought, and hold thy valor light
As that of some vain carpet-knight
Who ill deserves my courteous care,
And whose best boast is but to wear
A braid of his fair lady's hair.-Scott.