IAMBIC MEASURES. 651 IAMBIC TRIMETER. Formula x a×3. § 682. In this extract the accented lines are composed of three Iambics. We stand among the fallen leaves, Young children at' our play', Where with'er'd boughs' are strewn ; Nor past nor future checks our song The pres'ent is' our own'!-MRS. NORTON. Formula x ax3+. In this extract the accented lines are composed of three Iambies, with an additional syllable. Then out' spake brave' Hora'tius, The Captain of the Gate: For the ash'es of' his fa'thers, And the temple of his Gods?-MACAULAY. IAMBIC TETRAMETER. Formula x ax4. § 683. In the following the law of the measure is, that there should be four Iambics in each line. Instead of an Iambus, there is occasionally a Trochee, as in the first foot. This is the common octosyllabic verse. Child of the Country! free as air POETICAL FORMS. Lull'd in the breast to that glad tune Which winds make 'mong the woods of June: I sing of thee! 'Tis sweet to sing Child of the Town! for thee I sigh; A narrow street thy boundless road; I sing of thee in sadness! Where Else is wreck wrought in aught so fair?-ALLAN CUNNINGHAM. Formula x ax4+. In this extract the accented lines are composed of four Iambics and an additional syllable. Wee, sleek'it, cow'rin', tim"rous beas'tie! O what a panic's in thy breastie ! I wad be laith to rin an' chase thee Wi' bickering brattle! Wi' murdering pattle! I'm truly sorry man's' domin'ion An' jus'tifies' that ill' opin'ion, Which makes thee startle At me', thy poor' earth-born' compan'ion, An' fellow-mortal !—Burns. IAMBIC PENTAMETER. Formula x ax5. § 684. In these extracts the law of the measure is, that each line should consist of five Iambics. Heroic measure. This is called Dim as' the bor'row'd beams' of moon' and stars To lone'ly, wea'ry, wan'd'ring travelers' Is Reason to the soul! and as on high Those rolling fires discover but the sky, IAMBIC MEASURES. Thee, native soil? these happy walks and shades, My early visitation and my last At even; which I bred up with tender hand Into a lower world, to this obscure And wild? How shall we breathe in other air Less pure, accustom'd to immortal fruits ?-MILTON. Formula x a×5+. 653 In the following extract the accented lines are composed of five Iambics and an additional syllable. Day-stars', that ope' your eyes' with morn' to twink'le, From rainbow gal'axies' of earth's' crea'tion, And dew'-drops o'er' her love'ly al'tars sprink'le As a libation. Ye matin worshipers, who, bending lowly Incense on high! 'Neath cloister'd boughs each floral bell that swingeth, And tolls its perfume on the passing air, Makes Sabbath in the fields, and ringeth A call to prayer! Not to that dome where sculptured arch and column Which God hath plann'd! To that Cathedral, boundless as our wonder, Whose quenchless lamps the sun and moon supply; Whose choirs the winds and waves; whose organ, thunder; § 685. In this measure there are six Iambics. It is usu POETICAL FORMS. ally called the Alexandrine. The last line of the Spenserian When Phoebus lifts' his head' out of' the win'ter's wave', DRAYTON. IAMBIC HEPTAMETER. Formula x ax7. § 686. In the following extract the lines are composed of seven Iambics. She sits' beneath' the el'der shade' in that' long mor'tal swoon', In these small hands, so lily-white, is water from the spring, Formula x ax7+. WILSON. In this extract there are seven lambics and an additional syllable. Had Ellen lost' her mirth'? Oh no! but she' was sel'dom cheer'ful; COLERIDGE. Formula a x. § 687. In the following extract the accented lines are com posed of a single Trochee. From walk to walk, from shade to shade; From stream to purling stream convey'd, Through all the mingling tracks I rove, ་། Turn'ing, Burn'ing; Chang'ing, Ranging; In this extract there is in the accented lines one Trochee, with an additional syllable. What sounds were heard? What scenes appear'd Dread'ful gleams, Dis'mal screams; Fires' that glow, Shrieks' of woe; Sul'len moans, Hol'low groans; And cries of tortured ghosts!-POPE. TROCHAIC DIMETER. Formula a xX2. § 688. In the following extract the accented lines consist of two Trochees. On a bank, beside a willow, Heaven her covering, earth her pillow, Sad Aminta sigh'd alone; From the cheerless dawn of morning, |