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To: Congressman Billybob
"To-DAY,/ I AL-/ so SPEAK/ a-NEW/ to my FEL-/ low CIT-/ i-ZENS."
That is how I'd scan the first line you posted from the 21st paragraph of Bush's speech. "Pentameter", it ain't! As you can see, there are 7 feet in that line--iamb, iamb, iamb, iamb, anapest, iamb, iamb--rather than 5. But, Billybob: If there's another way for scanning that line (and the others you posted), I'd be interested in seeing it (them). I'm always willing to learn. :-)
16 posted on 01/28/2005 10:17:07 PM PST by Longwalled Newbie
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To: Longwalled Newbie
I would not put a hard accent on the AL in also, nor in the ZENS in citizens. Compared to the rest of the line, these are less accented syllables. There are instances in both Shakespeare and Pope where you can see them pushing around the accents on syllables.

The poetical influence I see in the President's speech is not precise, and mathematical. But it IS there.

John / Billybob
17 posted on 01/29/2005 9:09:09 AM PST by Congressman Billybob (Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.)
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