[2572.] (2.) This verse is known as the pentameter because the ancient grammarians measured it
– ⏑ ⏑ | – ⏑ ⏑ | – – | ⏑ ⏑ – | ⏑ ⏑ –
[2573.] The pentameter is rarely used except in combination with the hexameter, with which it forms the so-called Elegīac Distich:
–́ ⏔ | – ⏔ | – ⏔ | –́ ⏔ | –́ ⏔ | –́ –
–́ ⏔ | –́ ⏔ | ⏘́ # –́ ⏑ ⏑ | –́ ⏑ ⏑ | –́ ⌅
[2574.] The Elegiac Distich is used chiefly in elegiac poetry (whence the name), in amatory verse and in epigrams. The end of the pentameter generally coincides with a pause in the sense. As examples of the Elegiac Distich, the following may serve:
Quam legis | ex il|lā ‖ tibi | vēnit e|pistola | terrā
lātus u|b(ī̆) aequore|īs # additur | Hister a|quīs.
Sī tibi | contige|rit ‖ cum | dulcī | vīta sa|lūte,
candida | fortū|nae # pars manet | ūna me|ae. O. Tr. 5, 7, 1.