But this does not mean that adverbs modify verbs _only_: many of them express degree, and limit adjectives or adverbs; as, "William's private life was _severely_ pure;" "Principles of English law are put down _a little_ confusedly."
[Sidenote: _Sometimes a noun or pronoun._]
Sometimes an adverb may modify a noun or pronoun; for example,--
The young man reveres men of genius, because, to speak truly, they are _more_ himself than he is.--EMERSON.
Is it _only_ poets, and men of leisure and cultivation, who live with nature?--_Id._
To the _almost_ terror of the persons present, Macaulay began with the senior wrangler of 1801-2-3-4, and so on.--THACKERAY.
Nor was it _altogether_ nothing.--CARLYLE.
Sounds overflow the listener's brain So sweet that joy is _almost_ pain.--SHELLEY.
The condition of Kate is _exactly_ that of Coleridge's "Ancient Mariner."--DE QUINCEY.
He was _incidentally_ news dealer.--T.B. ALDRICH.
NOTE.--These last differ from the words in Sec. 169, being adverbs naturally and fitly, while those in Sec. 169 are felt to be elliptical, and rather forced into the service of adjectives.
Also these adverbs modifying nouns are to be distinguished from those standing _after_ a noun by ellipsis, but really modifying, not the noun, but some verb understood; thus,--
The gentle winds and waters [that are] near, Make music to the lonely ear.--BYRON.
With bowering leaves [that grow] _o'erhead_, to which the eye Looked up half sweetly, and half awfully.--LEIGH HUNT.
An adverb may modify a phrase which is equivalent to an adjective or an adverb, as shown in the sentences,--
They had begun to make their effort much _at the same time_.--TROLLOPE.
I draw forth the fruit, all wet and glossy, maybe _nibbled by rabbits and hollowed out by crickets_, and perhaps _with a leaf or two cemented to it_, but still _with a rich bloom to it_.--THOREAU.
It may also modify a sentence, emphasizing or qualifying the statement expressed; as, for example,--
And _certainly_ no one ever entered upon office with so few resources of power in the past.--LOWELL.
_Surely_ happiness is reflective, like the light of heaven. --IRVING.
We are offered six months' credit; and that, _perhaps_, has induced some of us to attend it.--FRANKLIN.