And remedied the wrongs of many a virgin grieved."
It is superfluous to dwell on accentuation or pauses here, the line being commonly divided into two even parts, or, in truth, two six-syllabled lines. The rhythm, however, is often arranged differently in lyrics, as the first lines of some of those of Moore will evince:—
"As a beam o'er the face of the waters may glow."
"We may roam through this world like a child at a feast."
"Like the bright lamp that shone in Kildare's holy fane."
In these instances, two short syllables and a long one occur in alternation throughout the twelve. Moore has given other varieties of this measure, as—
"Through grief and through danger, thy smile hath cheer'd my way;"
but these are merely capriccios to suit certain music, and need not occupy our time here. The same poet has even a line of thirteen syllables.[[27]]
"At the mid-hour of night, when stars are weeping I fly."
This measure is a most awkward one, certainly. The line of fourteen syllables is more natural, and was used in at least one long piece called "Albion's England," by Thomas Warner, a rhymer of the sixteenth century. A maid is advised whom to love in these terms:—