d I have endured contempt, insult, and wrong, Rooted itself to bear the hurricane; It is not fit, Live! and deserve to be the finger-mark Of slave contempt! His blood I cannot reach, It shall blot out the marks of infamy; He died the brave man's death! Not of the God Unworthy, do I seek his altar thus, My people, though all living efforts fail'd Cease your lament! And if your ill-doom'd king deserved your love, To be uttered earnestly and somewhat rapidly, with a feeling of Revenge. At "Acolhuan tyrant" the teeth should be closely set, and the eyes should sparkle with Rage. e The manner becomes milder and the tone more gentle. f Greatest degree of Indignation. This should be delivered in the most firm and courageous manner, the Speaker advancing a step or two as he speaks. h The utterance should be slow and emphatic, with a strong feeling of Anger approaching to Rage, combined with the utmost Contempt and Indignation, i Dignified and Enthusiastic manner. Say of him to your children he was one With cowards shall your king receive his doom; He shall join Shall issue from the eastern gate of Heaven, With them shall raise the song and weave the dance; None of you Forgetful, O my people, even then ; But often, in the amber cloud of noon Diffused, will I o'er spread your summer fields, m Spirits of my valiant sires, I come! Mexitli, never at thy shrine Flow'd braver blood! never a nobler heart Steam'd up its life to thee: n Priest of the God k Increased Enthusiasm. 1 Affectionate manner. SOUTHEY. m The Speaker should here step forward, and deliver this Enthusiastic address with elevated eyes and hands. n The tone here naturally changes, but the manner is most firm and undaunted. CATO OVER THE DEAD BODY OF HIS SON. (MOST PATHETIC AND DIGNIFIED MANNER.) The principal Rhetorical Figures are the Ecphonesis, the Erotesis, the Metonymy, and the Climax. a Thanks to the Gods! my boy has done his duty. b Welcome my son! here lay him down, my friends, Full in my sight; that I may view at leisure The bloody corse, and count those glorious wounds. -How beautiful is Death when earn'd by Virtue ! Who would not be that Youth! what pity is it That we can die but once to serve our country! C Why sits this sadness on your brows, my friends? I should have blush'd if Cato's house had stood Secure and flourish'd in a civil war. d Portius, behold thy brother, and remember Thy life is not thy own, when Rome demands it. e Alas, my friends! Why mourn you thus? let not a private loss Afflict your hearts. 'Tis Rome requires our tears. f The mistress of the world, the seat of empire, The nurse of heroes, the delight of Gods, That humbled the proud tyrants of the earth, And set the nations free,-Rome is no more! 8 O liberty! O virtue! O my country! a Rapturously-with eyes and hands elevated. b The Speaker may take a step forward, as if to meet the body. The feelings of the Father should here be blended with the firmness of the Patriot. This is addressed to those around him-Suppressing his own feelings. d This should be delivered in a most firm and impressive manner, the Speaker turning a little on one side. e Much Pathos. f This beautiful Climax should be spoken with a considerable degree of Animation; the tone of the voice rising at each successive step of the Climax. .8 Weeping-This line requires a slow utterance with much Emphasis, and a strong rising Inflection. Whate'er the Roman virtue has subdued, The sun's whole course, the day and year are Cæsar's! The Fabii fell, and the great Scipios conquer'd; The Roman empire fall'n! O curst ambition! 1 Cæsar shall never say: "I conquer'd Cato!" - But Oh! my friends, your safety fills my heart With anxious thoughts: a thousand secret terrors Rise in my soul how shall I save my Friends !'Tis now, O Cæsar, I begin to fear thee.Farewell, my friends! if there be any of you Who dare not trust the Victor's clemency, Know, there are ships prepared by my command, (Their sails already op'ning to the winds,) That shall convey you to the wish'd for port. Is there aught else, my friends, I can do for you? farewell! The conqueror draws near. Once more, h With smothered feelings of Grief. 1 Most disinterested and philosophical manner. k Most anxious Concern. 1 Cato apparently labours here under much Despondency. ADDISON. m This Sympathy for his friends requires a most pathetic delivery, with the most affectionate warmth. Pointing to the dead body of his Son. COURAGE.* The principal Rhetorical Figures are the Prosopopeia, and the Courage! Nothing can withstand True unto themselves and thee, *This Piece requires a firm tone of voice, and a degree of Energy, approaching to Vehemence. |