Emphatic Pause. (39)
A short pause is often made before or after, and sometimes both before and after, an emphatic word or phrase,—thus very much increasing the emphatic expression of the thought.
Examples. (39)
1. May one be pardoned, and retain—the offense?
In the corrupted currents of this world,
Offense’s gilded hand may shove by—justice;
And oft ’tis seen, the wicked prize itself
Buys out the law: but ’t is not so—above:
There—is no shuffling: there—the action lies
In its true nature.
2. He woke to hear his sentries shriek,
“To arms! they come! the Greek! the Greek!
He woke—to die—midst flame and smoke.”
3. This—is no flattery: These—are counselors That feelingly persuade me what I am.
4. And this—our life, exempt from public haunt, Finds tongues—in tree, books—in the running brooks, Sermons—in stones, and—good in everything.
5. Heaven gave this Lyre, and thus decreed, Be thou a bruised—but not a broken—reed.