Note.—­Although it would be necessary, in these examples, to violate the laws of accent or emphasis, to give perfect rhythm, yet a careful and well-trained reader will be able to observe these laws and still give the rhythm in such a manner that the defect will scarcely be noticed.

POETIC PAUSES. (43)

In order to make the measure of poetry perceptible to the ear, there should generally be a slight pause at the end of each line, even where the sense does not require it.

There is, also, in almost every line of poetry, a pause at or near its middle, which is called the caesura.

This should, however, never be so placed as to injure the sense of the passage.  It is indeed reckoned a great beauty, where it naturally coincides with the pause required by the sense.  The caesura, though generally placed near the middle, may be placed at other intervals.

There are sometimes, also, two additional pauses in each line, called demi-caesuras.

The caesura is marked (||), and the demi-caesura thus, (|), in the examples given.

There should be a marked accent upon the long syllable next preceding the caesura, and a slighter one upon that next before each of the demi-caesuras.  When made too prominent, these pauses lead to a singsong style, which should be carefully avoided.

In the following examples, the caesura is marked in each line; the demi-caesura is not marked in every case.

EXAMPLES. (44)

1.  Nature | to all things || fixed | the limits fit,
   And wisely | curbed || proud man’s | pretending wit.

2.  Then from his closing eyes || thy form shall part,
   And the last pang || shall tear thee from his heart.

3.  Warms in the sun, || refreshes in the breeze,
   Glows in the stars, || and blossoms in the trees.

4.  There is a land || of every land the pride,
   Beloved by Heaven || o’er all the world beside,
   Where brighter suns || dispense serener light,
   And milder moons || imparadise the night;
   Oh, thou shalt find, || howe’er thy footsteps roam,
   That land—­thy country, || and that spot—­thy home.

5.  In slumbers | of midnight || the sailor | boy lay;
     His hammock | swung loose || at the sport | of the wind;
   But, watch-worn | and weary, || his cares | flew away,
     And visions | of happiness || danced | o’er his mind.

6.  She said, | and struck; || deep entered | in her side
   The piercing steel, || with reeking purple dyed: 
   Clogged | in the wound || the cruel | weapon stands,
   The spouting blood || came streaming o’er her hands. 
   Her sad attendants || saw the deadly stroke,
   And with loud cries || the sounding palace shook.

SIMILE. (44)