2. O Solitude! if I must with thee dwell, Of murky buildings: climb with me the steep- In flowery slopes, its river's crystal swell, May seem a span; let me thy vigils keep 'Mongst boughs pavilion'd, where the deer's swift leap Startles the wild bee from the foxglove bell. But tho I'll gladly trace these scenes with thee, Yet the sweet converse of an innocent mind, Whose words are images of thoughts refined, Is my soul's pleasure; and it sure must be Almost the highest bliss of human-kind, When to thy haunts two kindred spirits flee. "Nature." JOHN KEATS. 3. And O, ye Fountains, Meadows, Hills, and Groves, Yet in my heart of hearts I feel your might; To live beneath your more habitual sway: I love the brooks which down their channels fret, The clouds that gather round the setting sun That hath kept watch o'er man's mortality; WILLIAM WORDSWORTH. 4. 'T was morning, and the old man lay alone; "The Dying Alchemist.” 5. N. P. WILLIS. Romeo: He jests at scars, that never felt a wound. But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief, That thou, her maid, art far more fair than she: Be not her maid, since she is envious; Her vestal livery is but sick and green, And none but fools do wear it; cast it off. It is my lady; oh, it is my love! Oh that she knew she were! She speaks, yet she says nothing: what of that? I am too bold, 't is not to me she speaks: What if her eyes were there, they in her head? The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars, The birds would sing and think it were not night. And cased as richly; in the face another Juno; Who starves the ears she feeds, and makes them hungry "Romeo and Juliet." WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. EIGHTEENTH LESSON PART 1. DRILL 1. Physical Culture, Deep Breathing, and Voice Exercise. Review the exercises of Lesson Eighteen of the first term, page 79. 2. Articulation. Repeat distinctly and rapidly: 3. Pronunciation. Drill in words for the sounds of u, as in urn and but (see page 224). PART 2. EXPRESSION TONE COLOR By tone color is meant the quality imparted to the voice by the feeling of the speaker. Just as the painter has many colors on his palette ready for instant use, so the reader or speaker must have all his emotions developed for his various requirements. The human voice is capable of most wonderful cultivation, and nothing is more valuable for this purpose than reading aloud passages charged with emotion. By a strange paradox the student must first develop his feelings in order to subdue them and bring them under intelligent control. Many effects must be practised beforehand, lest the student run to extravagance in the actual performance. The reader's feelings must be "proved," so to speak, before he dare venture to liberate his powers of expression. In reading the examples of this lesson, the student should at first observe the various effects upon the quality of his voice, and endeavor to improve this quality in so far as the particular thought and feeling seem to demand for their proper expression. EXAMPLES FOR PRACTISE 1. Pity the sorrows of a poor old man, Whose trembling limbs have borne him to your door; THOMAS Moss. 2. Ho! sound the tocsin from the tower, Bid each retainer arm with speed, Call every vassal in! "The Baron's Last Banquet." A. G. GREENE. 3. There is a silence where hath been no sound, There is a silence where no sound may beIn the cold grave-under the deep, deep sea, Or in wide desert where no life is found, Which hath been mute, and still must sleep profound. "Sonnets." THOMAS HOOD. |