thin a word).

Ex. _Abre^una^eternidad_, p. 178, XXXVI I, l. 22. _?A que me lo
decis? lo se^:^es mudable_, p. 179, XXXIX, l. 1. [Synalepha.]

Ex. _Como la onda^azul, en cuya cresta_, p. 173, XXVII, l. 16.
[Hiatus.]

The vowels contracted by synalepha are each pronounced, except when
the same vowel is repeated, when only a prolonged sound is heard, as
in _onda^azul_ or _se^es_ above.

Synalepha may join into a single syllable two, three, four, and even
five vowels. The union of two vowels (diphthongal synalepha) and the
union of three vowels (triphthongal synalepha) are the most common.

A pause due to a break in sense does not prevent synalepha. Mute h is
disregarded in the verse and does not prevent synalepha.

Ex. _Capaz de encerrarlo, y apenas ioh^hermosa!_ p. 164, I, l. 10.

DIPHTHONGAL SYNALEPHA

Synalepha takes place between two contiguous unaccented vowels
belonging to separate words.

Ex. _Abre^una^eternidad_, p. 178, XXXVII, l. 22.

Synalepha occurs when the final vowel of the first word is accented.

Ex. _Te vi^un punto, y, flotando ante mis ojos_, p. 169, XIV, l. 1.

Synalepha usually occurs when the initial vowel of the second word is
accented, especially when the first word ends in a weak vowel, and
also in the combinations aa, oa, oa, ea, eo, ee.

Ex. _Me parece^en el cielo de la tarde_, p. 169, XIII, l. 11.

NOTE: Synalepha is possible with the other combinations, but hiatus is
preferable even with the above combinations, in a syllable on which
the rhythmical accent falls (see under Rhythmic Accent).

Ex. _Despierta, hablas, y al hablar, vibrantes_, p. 174, XXVII, l.
23.

Ex. _Como la ola que a la playa_ viene, p. 178, XXXVII, l. 19.

TRIPHTHONGAL SYNALEPHA

There is always triphthongal synalepha when a is the middle vowel; or
when o or e is the middle vowel, except in the following combinations,
aoa, aoo, ooo, aea, aeo, oea, oeo.

Ex. _Silenciosa a expirar_, p. 178, XXXVII, l. 20.

There is never triphthongal synalepha when an accented weak vowel
stands between two strong vowels. Therefore the conjunctions y and u
prevent triphthongal synalepha.

Ex. _Y de purpura y oro la matiza_, p. 168, IX, l. 4.

There may be triphthongal synalepha when i (y) is the middle vowel, if
u precedes it, or i follows it.

Ex. _Fui diestro, fui valiente, fui arrogante_. Cervantes.

When u is the middle vowel there may be synalepha if i follows it. The
cons