In reading verse, the inflections should be nearly the same as in reading
prose; the chief difference is, that in poetry, the monotone and rising
inflection are more frequently used than in prose. The greatest difficulty
in reading this species of composition, consists in giving it that
measured flow which distinguishes it from prose, without falling into a
chanting pronunciation.
If, at any time, the reader is in doubt as to the proper inflection, let
him reduce the passage to earnest conversation, and pronounce it in the
most familiar and prosaic manner, and thus he will generally use the
proper inflection.