(i) The tetrapody is the most frequent length, the pentapody the rarest.
(ii) The end of a colon is often indicated in dactyls by a spondee, in trochees by a single long syllable (whether ⏗ or –ꞈ).
(iii) In any one period there is a tendency to conformity in length. If 6 + 5 + 4 and 6 + 6 + 4 are prima facie equally possible, the latter is as a rule to be preferred. In spite of the difference in sum-total (6 + 6 + 4 = 16; 6 + 5 + 4 = 15), this question often arises, because of the possibility of τονή. It has to be decided[884] whether (e.g.) παντός at the close of a colon is to be scanned as two feet or one:
⏗ –
παντ|οςꞈ‖
or
– ⏑
| παντος ‖.
It is now time to offer an account of the various feet used in lyrics.
(a) Trochees.—With these we are now familiar. This foot is often called a choree, chorees with anacrusis being iambi,[885] without anacrusis trochees. The trochee is the most frequent foot in lyrics. Such systems express ordinary strong interest. Whenever more definite emotion is to be conveyed, either cyclic dactyls are introduced, or a change is made to some other metre:—
Κολχίδος τε γᾶς ἔνοικοι
παρθένοι, μάχας ἄτρεστοι (Prom. Vinctus, 415).