The principles of Latin grammar; comprising the ... - Essan.org

dantenabrachiatollunt.—§ 164 POSODY.—METRE. 3236th. Oth ef varieties, but seldom used, are : 1. The Pancratic, monometerhypercatalectic. 2. The Ithyphalic, dimeter brachycatalectic.3. The Euripidean, dimeter catalectic. 4. The Alcmanic, dimeteracatalectic. 5. Anacreo?itic, dimeter acatalectic, with a pyrrhic icthe first place. 6. The Hippo?iactic, tetrameter acatalectic.861.—III.ANAPAESTIC METRE.1. A pure Anapaestic line consists of Anapaests only.2. The mixed anapaestic line has a spondee or a dactyl, feet of equallength, in any place.3. The following varieties occur, viz. : 1st. The Anapaestic Mbnometer,consisting of two anapaests. 2d. The Anapcestic dimeter, consisting of fourAnapaests.•Obs. Anapaestic verses are usually so constructed, that each measureends with a word, so that they may be read in lines of one, two, or moremeasures.4. Other varieties not much in use are the Simodian ; monometer catalectic.The Partheniac ; dimeter catalectic. The Archebulian; trimeterbrachycatalectic.862.—IV. DACTYLIC METRE.1. A pure dactylic verse consists of dactyls only, whichhave the arsis on the first syllable of the foot.Of this verse, one foot constitutes a metre, and the lines range in lengthfrom dimeter to hexameter. Of these, the most important are1. Hexameter or Heroic verse.Hexameter or Heroic verse consists of six feet, of whichthe fifth is a dactyl, the sixth a spondee, and each of the otherfour, a dactyl or a spondee ;as,Ludere quae vei-|lem cala-|mo per- |misit a- gresti. Verg.| |Respecting this verse the following things may be noticed.1st. When a spondee occurs in the fifth place, the line is called spondaic.Such lines are of a grave character, and but rarely occur.2d. When the line consists of dactyls, the movement is brisk and rapid,when of spondees, slow and heavy. Compare in this respect the two followinglines : the first expresses the rapid movement over the plain, of atroop of horse eager for the combat;—the other describes the slow andtoilsome movements of the Cyclops at the labors of the forge.Quadrupe-|pu- |trem soni- (tu quatit ungiila| |campum.Illi in-|ter se- |se mag-|vi||Virg.3d. The beauty and harmony of a Hexameter verse dependson the proper management of the caesura. The mostapproved caesural pause, in heroic poetry, is that which occursafter the arsis of the third foot. Sometimes called the heroicoaesural pause ;thus,At domus[interi- |or \ rg- gall |splendida ]luxu. Virg.|