A thírd thínks, | withóut expénse at áll. 1 Hen. VI, I. i. 76.

With respect to the word-stress and the metrical value of syllables there are in Shakespeare many archaic peculiarities. Some of those we have already dealt with; for the rest the reader must consult the works in which they are specially discussed.

§ 171. Of great interest are the other metres that occur in combination with blank verse in Shakespeare’s plays.

Alexandrines are frequently met with, especially where one line is divided between two speakers:

Macb. I’ll cóme to yóu anón. | Murd. We áre resólved, my lórd.

Macb. III. i. 139.

Macb. Hów does your pátient, dóctor? | Doct. Nót so síck, my lórd.

ib. V. iii. 37;

but also in many other cases: