Split lines
Capture each part of a split line as a separate verse-line element. Use the attribute indent-level to define the indentation level of each part.
The first part of a split line must have the attribute-value pair indent-level="1".
A split line is formed by concatenating contiguous split line parts whose indent level values increase by one (e.g., 1, 2, 3).
If the contiguity between parts of a split line is ambiguous, use an id attribute to identify the first part of the split line, and use an xref element to link the other parts of the same split line to it.
Related topics
- In playscripts where the text is verse, treat split line parts as contiguous even when
they are intermingled with any of the following:
- a change of speaker within a dialogue
- written instructions captured as stage directions.
Split line due to change of speaker
<disp-quote content-type="dialogue">
<speech>
<speaker>Attendant</speaker>
<p>
<verse-group>
<verse-line indent-level="1"> The king comes here tonight
</verse-line>
</verse-group>
</p>
</speech>
<speech>
<speaker>Lady Macbeth</speaker>
<p>
<verse-group>
<verse-line indent-level="2">
Thou'rt mad to say it
</verse-line>
</verse-group>
</p>
</speech>
</disp-quote>
Split line due to stage directions
<disp-quote content-type="dialogue">
<speech>
<speaker>Lady Macbeth</speaker>
<p>
<verse-group>
<verse-line indent-level="1">
He brings great news.
</verse-line>
</verse-group>
</p>
<p><named-content content-type="stage-direction">[Exit
<named-content content-type="entity"
specific-use="stage-dir-entity">Attendant</named-content>
</named-content></p>
<p>
<verse-group>
<verse-line indent-level="2">
The raven himself is hoarse
</verse-line>
</verse-group>
</p>
</speech>
</disp-quote>
Line split into 3 parts
<disp-quote content-type="dialogue">
<speech>
<speaker>Lady Macbeth</speaker>
<p>
<verse-group>
<verse-line>How tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me:</verse-line>
<verse-line>I would, while it was smiling in my face,</verse-line>
<verse-line>Have pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums</verse-line>
<verse-line>And dash'd the brains out, had I so sworn</verse-line>
<verse-line indent-level="1">
As you have done to this.
</verse-line>
</verse-group>
</p>
</speech>
<speech>
<speaker>Macbeth</speaker>
<p>
<verse-group>
<verse-line indent-level="2">If we should fail?</verse-line>
</verse-group>
</p>
</speech>
<speech>
<speaker>Lady Macbeth</speaker>
<p>
<verse-group>
<verse-line indent-level="3">We fail?</verse-line>
</verse-group>
</p>
</speech>
</disp-quote>
Split line with an id attribute and an xref reference
The line splits due to both stage directions and change of speaker, so an id attribute and an xref reference were added to improve clarity.
<disp-quote content-type="dialogue">
<speech>
<speaker>FER.</speaker>
<p>
<verse-group>
<verse-line>I will resist such entertainment, till</verse-line>
<verse-line xml:id="verse-line-1" indent-level="1">
Mine enemy ha's more pow'r.
</verse-line>
</verse-group>
</p>
<p><named-content content-type="stage-direction">He drawes, and is
charmed from mouing.</names-content></p>
</speech>
<speech>
<speaker>MIRA.</speaker>
<p>
<verse-group>
<verse-line indent-level="2">
<xref ref-type="verse-line" rid="verse-line-1"/>
O deere Father,
</verse-line>
<verse-line>Make not too rash a triall of him, for</verse-line>
<verse-line>Hee's gentle, and not fearfull.</verse-line>
</verse-group>
</p>
</speech>
</disp-quote>