Instructions For Reading Verse

No wonder children who used to leave school after an 8th grade education
 used to do so well in life. To get to the eighth grade, you needed to 
read at a very high level and mastered a great deal of material, arguably
more than many high school graduates of today!

This is an excerpt from the McGuffey 6th reader:

IV. INSTRUCTIONS FOR READING VERSE.

INFLECTIONS.

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 itfrom 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.


EXERCISES IN INFLECTION. (40)

1. Meanwhile the south wind rose, and with black wings
 Wide hovering', all the clouds together drove
 From under heaven': the hills to their supply',
 Vapor and exhalation dusk and moist
 Sent up amain': and now, the thickened sky
 Like a dark ceiling stood': down rushed the rain
 Impetuous', and continued till the earth
 No more was seen': the floating vessel swam
 Uplifted', and, secure with beake'd prow',
 Rode tilting o'er the waves'.


2. My friend', adown life's valley', hand in hand',
   With grateful change of grave and merry speech
   Or song', our hearts unlocking each to each',
 We'll journey onward to the silent land';
 And when stern death shall loose that loving band,
   Taking in his cold hand, a hand of ours',
   The one shall strew the other's grave with flowers',
 Nor shall his heart a moment be unmanned'.
 My friend and brother'! if thou goest first',
   Wilt thou no more revisit me below'?
 Yea, when my heart seems happy causelessly',
   And swells', not dreaming why', my soul shall know
 That thou', unseen', art bending over me'.


3. Here rests his head upon the lap of earth',
   A youth, to fortune and to fame unknown';
 Fair Science frowned not on his humble birth',
   And Melancholy marked him for her own'.


4. Large was his bounty', and his soul sincere',
   Heaven did a recompense as largely send';
 He gave to misery (all he had) a tear',
   He gained from heaven' ('t was all he wished') a friend'.


5. No further seek his merits to disclose',
   Or draw his frailties from their dread abode';
 (There they alike' in trembling hope repose',)
   The bosom of his Father, and his God'.