Warner, Albion’s England.[125]

Brachycatalectic trochaic tetrameter:

Hásten, Lórd, to réscue mé | and sét me sáue from tróuble;

Sháme thou thóse who séek my sóul, | rewárd their míschief dóuble.

Translation of Psalm lxix.

If both rhythmical sections of a tetrameter are brachycatalectic we get one of the four varieties of the Middle English Alexandrine—the only one that has continued in use in Modern English poetry.

Alexandrine:

Mid ývernésse and prúde | and ýssing wés that ón;

He núste nouht þát he wés | bóþe gód and món.

The Passion of our Lord, ll. 35, 36.