"This is the forest prime|val. The murmuring pines and the hemlocks,
Bearded with moss, and in gar|ments green, indistinct in the twilight.
Loud from its rocky cav|erns, the deep-voiced neighboring ocean
Speaks, and in accents discon|solate answers the wail of the forest.
Lay in the fruitful val|ley. Vast meadows stretched to the eastward."
Again, in order to comply with the Greek and Latin rule of beginning each line with a long syllable, he is compelled to emphasize words contrary to the sense. Examples:
In the Acadian land, on the shores of the Basin of Minas
Somewhat apart from the village, and nearer the Basin of Minas.
But a celestial bright|ness—a more etherial beauty.
And the retreating sun the sign of the scorpion enters.
In-doors, warmed by the wide-|mouthed fireplace idly the farmer,
Four times the sun had ris|en and set; and now on the fifth day,
"Greek and Latin Hexameter lines, as to time, are all of the same length, being equivalent to the time taken in pronouncing twelve long syllables, or twenty-four short ones. An Hexameter line may consist of seventeen syllables, and when regular and not Spondiac, it never has fewer than thirteen: whence it follows that where the syllables are many, the plurality must be short; where few, the plurality must be long. This line is susceptible of much variety as to the succession of long and short syllables. It is however subject to laws that confine its variety within certain limits. * * *
1st. The line must always commence with a long syllable, and close with two long preceded by two short.
2d. More than two short syllables can never be found together, nor fewer than two.
3d. Two long syllables which have been preceded by two short can not also be followed by two short.
These few rules fulfill all the conditions of an Hexameter line with relation to order of arrangement."—Lord Kames, "Elements of Criticism." One who attempts to write English Hexameter, under the Greek and Latin rules, will speedily be made aware that the English language "super-abounds in short syllables." Why then should we rigidly adhere to rules repugnant to the genius of our language, if they can be modified so as to adapt the sonorous Hexameter to the structure of our mother-tongue? Can they be so modified? I have attempted it. I venture to change them as follows:
1st. By beginning each line with a short syllable instead of a long one. And it will be seen that I often begin a line with two short syllables.
2d. By often using one short syllable unaccompanied by another.