Áfter the pángs of a désperate lóver,
Whén day and níght I have síghed all in vaín,
Áh what a pleásure it ís to discóver
Ín her eyes píty, who caúses my páin.
Dryden.
Two-Stress Lines
Iambic:
Examples: Herrick, To the Lark; Shakespeare, Midsummernight's Dream (Bottom's Song).
The ráging rócks
And shívering shócks
Shall breák the lócks
Of príson gátes.
Shakespeare.
Trochaic:
Examples: George Eliot, The Spanish Gipsy; Campion, Art of Poesie.
Coúld I cátch that
Nímble traítor,
Scórnful Laúra,
Swíft-foot Laúra,
Soón then woúld I
Seék avéngement.
Campion.
Anapestic: