I conjure you by that which you profess, Though bladed corn be lodged, and trees blown down'; Their heads to their foundations'; though the treasures Even till destruction sicken'; answer me To what I ask you. §4. A series of words or members which concludes a sentence is called a concluding series, and each member usually has the falling inflection. EXAMPLE OF CONCLUDING SERIES. They, through faith, subdued kingdoms', wrought righteousness', obtained promises', stopped the mouths of lions', quenched the violence of fire', escaped the edge of the sword', out of weakness were made strong', waxed valiant in fight', turned to flight the armies of the aliens'. REMARK.-When the emphasis on these words or members is not marked, they take the rising inflection, according to Rule IX. EXAMPLES. They are the offspring of restlessness', vanity', and idleness'. Love', hope', and joy' took possession of his breast. §5. When words, which naturally take the rising inflection, become emphatic by repetition or any other cause, they often take the falling inflection. Exception to the Rule.-While the tendency of emphasis is decidedly to the use of the falling inflection, sometimes a word to which the falling inflection naturally belongs, changes this, when it is emphatic, for the rising inflection. EXAMPLES. Three thousand ducats': 't is a good round sum'. It is useless to point out the beauties of nature to one who is blind'. Here sum and blind, according to Rule VI, would take the falling inflection, but as they are emphatic, and the object of emphasis is to draw attention to the word emphasized, this is here accomplished in part by giving an unusual inflection. Some speakers would give these words the circumflex, but it would be the rising circumflex, so that the sound would still terminate with the rising inflection. RULE VIII.-Questions which can not be answered by yes or no, together with their answers, generally require the falling inflection. EXAMPLES. Where has he gone? Who did this? When did he go? Ans. To New York'. . Ans. I know not'. REMARK.-If these questions are repeated, the inflection is changed according to the principle stated under the Exception to Rule VII. Where did you say he had gone'? What has he done'? Who did this'? When did he go? RISING INFLECTION. RULE IX.-Where a pause is rendered proper by the meaning, and the sense is incomplete, the rising inflection is generally required. EXAMPLES. To endure slander and abuse with meekness', requires no ordinary degree of self-command`. Night coming on', both armies retired from the field of battle'. As a dog returneth to his vomit', so a fool returneth to his folly'. REMARK.-The person or object addressed, in ordinary conversation, comes under this head. EXAMPLES. Fathers'! we once again are met in council. My lords and gentlemen'! we have arrived at an awful crisis. Age'! thou art shamed. Rome' thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods! Exception.-Where a word which, according to this rule, requires the rising inflection, becomes emphatic, it generally has the falling inflection; as, when a child addresses his father, he first says, Father'! but if he repeats it emphatically he changes the inflection, and says, Father'! Father! The falling inflection is also used in formal address; as, Fellowcitizens', Mr. President', etc. EXAMPLES. When we aim at a high standard, if we do not attain it, we shall secure a high degree of excellence. Those who mingle with the vicious, if they do not become depraved, will lose all delicacy of feeling. RULE X.-Questions which may be answered by yes or no, generally require the rising, and their answers the falling inflection. Does the law condemn him'? It does not'. Exception.-If these questions are repeated emphatically, they take the falling inflection, according to Rule VII. EXAMPLES. Has he arrived? Will he return`? Does the law condemn him? REMARK.-When a word or sentence is repeated as a kind of interrogatory exclamation, the rising inflection is used according to the principles of this rule. EXAMPLES. You ask, who would venture in such a cause! Who would venture'? Rather say, who would not venture all things for such an object! He is called the friend' of virtue. The friend'! ay! the enthusiastic lover', the devoted protector, rather. 1 So, also, when one receives unexpected information he exclaims, Ah'! indeed!! REMARK.-In the above examples the words "venture," 66 friend," "ah," etc., may be considered as interrogatory exclamations, because if the sense were carried out it would be in the form of question; as, “Do you ask who would venture'?" "Do you say that he is the friend' of virtue?" "Is it possible'?" and thus they would receive the rising inflection according to this rule. RISING AND FALLING INFLECTIONS. RULE XI. The different members of a sentence expressing comparison, or contrast, or negation and affirmation, or where the parts are united by or used disjunctively, require different inflections; generally the rising inflection in the first member, and the falling inflection in the second member. This order is, however, sometimes inverted. 1. Comparison and contrast. This is also called antithesis. EXAMPLES. In all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God; by honor', and dishonor; by evil' report, and good' report; as deceivers, and yet true'; as unknown', and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live'; as chastened', and not killed'; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor', yet making many rich`; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. Europe was one great battle-field, where the weak struggled for freedom', and the strong for dominion. The king was without power', and the nobles without principle'. They were tyrants at home', and robbers abroad. 82. Negation and affirmation. EXAMPLES. He desired not to injure his friend, but to protect him. I did not say a better soldier, but an elder'. If the affirmative clause comes first, the order of the inflections is inverted. EXAMPLES. He desired to protect his friend, not to injure him. I said an elder soldier, not a better. The affirmative clause is sometimes understood. We desire not your money'. I did not say a better soldier. The region beyond the grave is not a solitary land. In most negative sentences standing alone, the corresponding affirmative is understood; hence, the following REMARK.-Negative sentences, whether alone or connected with an affirmative clause, generally end with the rising inflection. |