Lalla Rookh.
The number of trisyllabic measures is, of necessity, limited to three.
[§ 642]. The nature of measures may, as we have already seen, be determined by the proportion of the accented and unaccented syllables. It may also be determined by the proportion of the long and short syllables.—In the one case we measure by the accent, in the other by the quantity. Measures determined by the quantity are called feet. The word foot being thus defined, we have no feet in the English metres; since in English we determine our measures by accent only.
The classical grammarians express their feet by symbols; [ˉ] denoting length, [˘] shortness. Forms like [˘ˉ ˉ˘ ˉ˘˘ ˘ˉ˘ ˘˘ˉ] &c., are the symbolical representations of the classical feet.
The classical grammarians have names for their feet; e.g., iambic is the name of [˘ˉ], trochee of [ˉ˘], dactyle of [ˉ˘˘], amphibrachys of [˘ˉ˘], Anapæst of [˘˘ˉ], &c.
The English grammarians have no symbols for their feet: since they have no form for expressing the absence of the accent. Sometimes they borrow the classical forms [˘] and [ˉ]. These, however, being originally meant for the expression of quantity, confusion arises from the use of them.
Neither have the English grammarians names for their measures. Sometimes, they borrow the classical terms iambic, trochee, &c. These, however, being meant for the expression of quantity, confusion arises from the use of them.
As symbols for the English measures, I indicate the use of a as denoting an accented, x an unaccented syllable; or else that of + as denoting an accented, - an unaccented syllable. Finally, ´ may denote the accent, ¨ the absence of it.
As names for the English measures I have nothing to offer. At times it is convenient to suppose that they have a definite order of arrangement, and to call words like týrant the first measure, and words like presúme the second measure. In like manner, mérrily is measure 3; disáble, 4; and cavaliér, 5. As the number of measures is (from the necessity of the case) limited, this can be done conveniently. The classical
names are never used with impunity. Their adoption invariably engenders confusion. It is very true that, mutatis mutandis (i. e., accent being substituted for quantity), words like týrant and presúme are trochees and iambics; but it is also true that, with the common nomenclature, the full extent of the change is rarely appreciated.