(f) Ionics.—These are formed by – –⏑⏑. When anacrusis is found—the usual form—the foot is often called Ionicus a minore (i.e. ⏑⏑– –); otherwise it is called Ionicus a maiore:—
κυανοῦν δ’ ὄμμασι λεύσσων φονίου δέργμα δράκοντος
πολύχειρ καὶ πολυναύτας Σύριόν θ’ ἅρμα διώκων (Persæ, 81 sq.).
⏑⏑⁝– –⏑⏑|– –⏑⏑‖– –⏑⏑|– –ꞈ̄‖.
A strange variant is ⏑–⏑–; the variation is called “anaclasis” (“breaking-up”). Thus the above passage proceeds—
ἐπάγει δουρικλύτοις ἀνδράσι τοξόδαμνον Ἄρη.
⏑⏑⁝– –⏑⏑|– –⏑⏑‖–⏑–⏑|–ꞈ̄‖.
Ionics are employed to express strong excitement governed by confident courage. The first lyric of the Persæ begins with a splendid example. It is sung by the Persian counsellors in expectation of Xerxes’ triumph, and makes a strong contrast with the piteous rhythms of the close. This poem should be studied carefully in comparison with another in the same metre—the opening of the first chorus in the Bacchæ (vv. 64 sqq.):—
Ἀσίας ἀπὸ γαίας
ἱερὸν Τμῶλον ἀμείψασα θοάζω