PROSODY. You know Orthography, my dear, Prose states a plain and simple fact, Accents the words, and measures well Sly Prosody picks out of prose Ch. But why does Prosody do that? M. He makes it verse or poetry I make Heart's-ease for you. Language is called "The dress of thought," Prose may be elegant when bought From education rare. When dressed 'tis lofty, dignified, Yet loveliest when simplified By modesty and care. It may be gorgeously decked out, They who adorn our language so Many indeed make poetry But then it merely dazzles you, VERSIFICATION. Language expressed with emphasis, But when adorned with golden wings, POETRY. There's music in the ocean's shell, There's music in the humming-bird, There's music in a little word When uttered tenderly. There's music hidden in the breast ; It vibrates through strange magic wires, Touches the poet's heart Something electrical. and fires This lyre's a stranger instrument "Tis low and yet surpassing high, When grief or sadness linger near When wearied with fatigue and care When joy expands her morning wings Disperses all the gloomy thoughts, If there be an accomplishment It gladdens oft a long dull hour, It is the music of the mind, Come, now, we'll try what we can do, For many quite as small as you, May thus an hour employ. 'Tis possible to tune the heart, VERSIFICATION. Music has bars of various length, They are divided-measured so— BLANK VERSE AND METRE. Verse has two kinds-blank verse and rhymeThe last has tune as well as time "Time's merely a repeater;" Tune chimes in at the end, you'll hear, This metre's made by words, you hear, Agreeable to please the ear, Two words can make it rhyme ; Rhyme may have little meaning too, A sound without the sense-pooh! pooh! It must be sensible and wise, If not then you may all despise Such very foolish play. And 'stead of making senseless rhyme, |