(1) Three contiguous vowels with the accent on the first. These offer
two possible forms of combinations, viz., one of two vowels with the
first accented plus one of two vowels after the accent. To these apply
the rules already stated. Thus in _lóaos_ we have _óa_ in two syllables
according to I, rule 1, and _ao_ which may be in two syllables by II,
rule 1, therefore all three vowels may be in separate syllables. So,
too, in _iríais_ we have _ía_ in two syllables by I, rule 4, and _ai_
which forms a diphthong by II, rule 2, therefore the combination _íai_
forms two syllables.
(2) Three contiguous vowels with the accent on the second. There are two
combinations possible, one of two vowels with the accent on the second
and one of two vowels with the accent on the first. Apply the rules to
these: e.g., _fiáos_ has _iá_ in two syllables by I, rule 5 b and _áo_
in two syllables by I, rule 1, so that the combination is trisyllabic;
again, _cambiáos_ has _iá_, a diphthong by I, rule 5 b, and _áo_ in two
syllables by I, rule 1, therefore the combination has two syllables;
_buey_ has _ue_, a diphthong by I, rule 5 a, and _ey_, a diphthong by I,
rule 2, so that the whole combination is linked together and forms one
syllable as a triphthong.
(3) Three contiguous vowels with the accent on the last. The
combinations are one of two vowels before the accent plus one of two
vowels accented on the last. So, applying the rules to _rehuí_, for
example, we find _eu_ (_h_ mute) to be a dissyllable by the exception to
III, rule 2, and _uí_ to be probably a dissyllable by I, rule 7, so that
the combination probably forms three syllables.
(4) Combinations of more than three vowels may be decomposed in a
similar way. Thus, _decaíais_ has _aíai_ with four contiguous vowels in
three combinations, viz., _aí_, a dissyllable by I, rule 3; _ía_, a
dissyllable by I, rule 4; _ai_, a diphthong by II, rule 2, so that the
combination has three integral elements and three syllables.
N.B.—Despite all these rules, it should be noted that the tendency of
the language is toward synæresis.
(β) The Value of Contiguous Vowels in Separate Words.
Between the vowels of separate words there may occur _synalœpha_ or
_hiatus_. Synalœpha is the contracting into a single syllable of the
vowels ending one word and those beginning the next word, as in _hombr[e
i]lustre_, _soberb[io e]dificio_, _S[i á u]n infeliz la compasión se
niega_.
The vowels thus contracted are still pronounced separately, except in
cases of the repetition of the same vowel, where only a single prolonged
sound is heard, as in _cas[a a]jena_. As synalœpha may take place where
synæresis would be impossible, it is governed by somewhat different
rules.
Hiatus—which corresponds to diæresis within a word—occurs when there is
no contraction of the final vowel of one word and the initial vowel of
the next; as in _la hora_, _bella obra_.
The following general observations are necessary:
(1) Mute _h_ is disregarded in the verse and does not prevent synalœpha.
(2) An unaccented weak vowel between two other vowels prevents synalœpha
of these latter; thus, _comercio y agricultura_, in which the _io_ is
kept apart from the _a_ by the _y_, which itself forms a diphthong with
the _a_; so also _Sevilla ú Oviedo_ with the _a_ in one syllable and the
_uo_ in another. Some writers have violated this rule, but most have
observed it.
(3) _ó_ prevents synalœpha and forms a syllable with the following
vowel; Lupercio de Argensola:
El orbe escucha atónito ó atento.
(4) The conjunction _é_ generally prevents synalœpha; Lupercio de
Argensola:
Pues he de retratarme, dónde ó cómo
Me pueda yo estar viendo [é i]mitando.
Synalœpha is not wholly inadmissible.
(5) Two similar contiguous vowels form synalœpha, and the sound is a
single prolonged one: _el volubl[e e]lemento_.
Three similar contiguous vowels may form synalœpha, but the combination
is a harsh one; as in Maury:
No su palanc[a á A]rquímedes le diera.
(6) A pause due to a break in sense does not prevent synalœpha.