The poetic device shown in the bolded words "I sung, and utter'd sighs between— Assay'd to stifle guilt with sin" is enjambment.
Enjambment is the continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of a line, couplet, or stanza. In this stanza, the thought and sentence flow from one line to the next without a complete stop or pause at the end of each line.
Enjambment is a poetic technique where a sentence or phrase runs over from one line of poetry to the next without a pause or a break. Instead of a natural pause or punctuation at the end of a line, the sentence or clause continues seamlessly into the next line.
Here, the ideas and actions expressed in the speaker's attempt to ease his mind and stifle guilt are carried over from one line to the next without a clear pause. The enjambment contributes to a sense of fluidity and continuity in the poem, emphasizing the connectedness of the speaker's thoughts and actions. It can also create a sense of momentum, guiding the reader from one line to the next without interruption.
Correct Question:
Read the following stanza from "Reflections on the State of Mind" by Olaudah Equiano. Answer the question that follows. 'To ease my mind I often strove, And tried my trouble to remove: I sung, and utter'd sighs between— Assay'd to stifle guilt with sin.'
Which poetic device is shown in the bolded words?