PART 2. EXPRESSION RHYTHM All forms of speech are more or less musical, but in the reading of poetry the effect of rhythm is more pronounced than in prose, and must be properly observed. The voice naturally alternates between a soft and heavy touch, and these impulses occur so regularly that any student with a moderate musical ear can readily detect them. This musical gliding from accent to accent reveals one of the beauties of our language, but must never be overdone. The important thing, in poetry as well as in prose, is the thought and feeling, not the word, the music, or the measured accents. Do not turn these beautiful extracts into "nursery jingles," but try to express them with musical rhythm, free from sing-song. The rate at which you read these various passages will be determined by their feeling. EXAMPLES FOR PRACTISE 1. The Moon arose: she shone upon the lake, "Madoc." ROBERT SOUTHEY. 2. Twilight's soft dews steal o'er the village-green, With magic tints to harmonize the scene. Stilled is the hum that through the hamlet broke, When round the ruins of their ancient oak The peasants flocked to hear the minstrel play, And games and carols closed the busy day. "Pleasures of Memory." SAMUEL ROGERS. 3. She dwelt among the untrodden ways, A maid whom there were none to praise A violet by a mossy stone, Fair as a star when only one Is shining in the sky. She lived unknown, and few could know But she is in her grave, and, oh, The difference to me! *Lucy." WILLIAM WORDSWORTH. 4. From harmony, from heavenly harmony When Nature underneath a heap And could not heave her head, The tuneful voice was heard from high, Then cold and hot and moist and dry In order to their stations leap, And Music's power obey, From harmony, from heavenly harmony This universal frame began: From harmony to harmony Through all the compass of the notes it ran, "Song for Saint Cecilia's Day." 5. The sun is warm, the sky is clear, The waves are dancing fast and bright, The purple noon's transparent light: JOHN DRYDEN. Around its unexpanded buds; Like many a voice of one delight— The winds', the birds', the ocean-floods'— I see the Deep's untrampled floor With green and purple seaweeds strown; Like light dissolved in star-showers thrown; The lightning of the noon-tide ocean Is flashing round me, and a tone Arises from its measured motion How sweet! did any heart now share in my emotion? "Near Naples." PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY. SIXTEENTH LESSON PART 1. DRILL 1. Physical Culture. Extend the arms straight out at the sides, bend the arms firmly at the elbows while clenching the hands, then bring the elbows together at the front horizontal position, return to the side horizontal position, unbend the elbow to a straight-arm position, and drop the arms to the sides. 2. Deep Breathing. Inhale deeply through the nostrils. Open the mouth wide and exhale a deep breath on the element ah, as in the word "father," endeavoring to make it last as long as possible. The voice should not be sounded. 3. Voice Exercise. Express in the sound of ha each of the feelings of joy, sorrow, surprize, fear, scorn, calmness, warning, laughter, peevishness, anger, humor, grief, courage, defiance, jealousy, gratitude, suspicion, admiration, reverence, triumph. Repeat in various feelings, with the expression "thank you!" 4. Articulation. Repeat the following sentences in a whisper, so distinct that they may be recognized at some distance, despite the entire absence of vocal sound: Do you really think so? His crime moved me. Swift of foot and slow of tongue. The gig goes swiftly by. Their tastes differ. Some shun sunshine. He accepts the offer. Goodness centers in the heart. PART 2. EXPRESSION MELODY Just as rhythm brings out the regular and harmonious recurrences of accent, so melody seeks to combine the agreeable succession of sounds in a stanza and to bring them out as a pleasing whole. Nothing is more destructive to melody in reading than to give too marked emphasis to the rime, but, on the other hand, poetry is not to be read as if it were prose. The melody of speech, while not so marked or perfect as the melody of music, gives to our reading an exquisite sense of pleasure. Rhythm depends mainly upon accent; melody depends upon modulation or appropriate change of voice. A writer has well said: "The language of poetry is by no means common speech, nor is it to be lowered by a rugged, abrupt, and too colloquial familiarity. The melody of the verse must fall distinctly on the ear." The student will find that the study of music will greatly assist in developing melody of speech. EXAMPLES FOR PRACTISE 1. My heart leaps up when I behold So was it when my life began, So be it when I shall grow old, Or let me die! The Child is father of the Man: And I could wish my days to be "The Rainbow." |