[a]Κα'γω το σον νεμώ ποθει|νον αυλιον]
there is no argument à priori on the score of the iambic character being violated; whilst, in respect to objections derived from evidence à posteriori, there is sufficient reason for such lines being rare.
[a]γ]). With poly-syllables abbreviated by apocope, we have the state of things which the metrists have recognised under the name of quasi-cæsura; as—
[a]Κεντειτε μη φειδέσθ' εγω | 'τεκον Παριν.]
3.—The eighth syllable preceded in the same word by two syllables.—This is equivalent to the fifth syllable occurring at the end of the word preceding: a state of things which gives the penthimimer cæsura; as—
[a]Οδμη βροτειων αἵματῶν | με προσγελα.]
[a]Λαμπρους δυναστας εμ'πρεπον|τας αιθερι.]
[a]Απσυχον εικω πρόσγελω|σα σωματος.]
4. The eighth syllable preceded in the same word by three or more than three syllables.—This is equivalent to the fourth (or some syllable preceding the fourth) syllable occurring at the end of the word preceding; a state of things which would include the third and fourth feet in one and the same word. This concurrence is denounced in the Supplement to the Preface to the Hecuba, where, however, the rule, as in the case of the quasi-cæsura, from being based upon merely empirical evidence, requires limitation. In lines like—
[a]Και τἁλλα πολλ' επέικασαι | δικαιον ην],
or (an imaginary example),
[a]Τοις σοισιν ασπιδήστροφοισ|ιν ανδρασι],