Resolutions occur, but are far less common than in the earlier form of the verse. The strict form of the Septenarius is found in Varro, Seneca, and often in late poets (as Ausonius, Prudentius, &c.).

[2635.] The rhythm of the Septenarius may be illustrated by this line:—

“Comrades, leave me here a little, while as yet ’tis early morn.” (Tennyson.)

[The Trochaic Tetrameter Acatalectic (or Octonarius).]

[2636.] The Trochaic Tetrameter Acatalectic is chiefly confined to the lyrical portions of the early comedy. It consists of four complete trochaic dipodies or eight trochaic feet. The tribrach, irrational spondee, irrational anapaest and cyclic dactyl may stand in any foot save the last. The last foot is regularly a trochee or a tribrach, though (the last syllable being syllaba anceps, [2533]) an apparent spondee or anapaest, but not a dactyl, may arise. The principal break in the line is regularly a diaeresis after the fourth foot (which in that case must not be a dactyl). Occasionally, however, there is instead a caesura in the fourth or fifth foot. The scheme is:—

–́ ⏑͐–̇ ⏑͐–́ ⏑͐–̇ ⏑͐–́ ⏑͐–̇ ⏑͐–́ ⏑͐–̇ ⏑͐
⏑́ ⏑ ⏑⏑̇ ⏑ ⏑⏑́ ⏑ ⏑⏑̇ ⏑ ⏑⏑́ ⏑ ⏑⏑̇ ⏑ ⏑⏑́ ⏑ ⏑[⏑̇ ⏑ ⏑]
–́ ⏖–̇ ⏖–́ ⏖–̇ ⏖–́ ⏖–̇ ⏖–́ ⏖
⏑́ ⏑ >⏑̇ ⏑ >⏑́ ⏑ >⏑̇ ⏑ >⏑́ ⏑ >⏑̇ ⏑ >⏑́ ⏑ >[⏑̇ ⏑ >]

Example:—

Cḗnse|ō. Sed | heús tū.| Quid vīs? # Cḗnsēn | posse | m(e) óffir|māre? (T. Eu. 217).

–́ ⏑ | –̇ ⏑ | –́ > | –̇ > # –́ > | –̇ ⏑ | –́ > | –̇ ⏑

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