()08 T raufiactions. 



every line is not complete in itself, but that they go naturally in couples ; 

 that every two lines are in fact one long verse : — 



(5«.) Ye banks and braes o' bonie Doon, how can ye bloom sae fresh and fair ? 

 How can ye chant, ye little birds, when I'm sae weary, fu' o' care ! 



Every verse is now a complete sentence, consisting of two clauses, occupying 

 a line each. It was because each line was a clause that the Romance metre 

 was so easily resolved into two parts, and was written in couplets. Even 

 in the couplet form the complete relation of the two lines is evident : — 



(H.) Wild as the scream of the curlew. 

 From crag to crag the signal flew. 

 Instant, through copse and heath, arose 

 Bonnets and spears and bended bows ; 

 On right, on left, above, below, 

 Sprung up at once the lurking foe ; 

 From shingles grey their lances start. 

 The bracken bush sends forth the dart. 

 The rushes and the willow-wand 

 Are bristling into axe and brand. 

 And every tuft of broom gives life 

 To plaided warrior arm'd for strife. 



(" The Lady of the Lake," canto v, section ix.) 



The same holds as regards all Lyric stanzas ; they are composed of integral 

 parts, each integral part being a verse of eight stress-units, or their temporal 

 equivalents — that is, if the verse contain only seven or six stress-units, it 

 will be found to contain also one or two pauses, equivalent to the units 

 dropped. Take the following examples : — 



(7.) The raging rocks. 



And shivering shocks, 

 Shall break the locks 



Of prison -gates ; 

 And Phibbus' car 

 Shall shine from far. 

 And make and mar 

 The foolish fates. 



(" Midsummer Wight's Dream," I, ii.) 



(8.) We join the throng 



Of the dance and the song. 

 By the whirlwind of gladness borne along ; 

 As the flying-fish leap 

 From the Indian deep. 

 And mix with the sea-birds, half asleep. 



(■' Prometlieus Uubouud," IV, line 83.) 



(9.) By the fair and brave 

 Who blushing unite. 

 Like the sun and wave 



When they meet at night ; 



By the tear that shows 



When passion is nigh. 

 As the rain-drop flows 



From the heat of the sk\- ; 



("Lalla Rookh.") 



(10.) Weep, wee]), weep, and weep. 

 For pauper, dolt, and slave ! 

 Hark ! from wasted moor and fen, 

 Feverous alley, stifling den. 

 Swells tlu^ wail of Saxon men — 

 Work ! or the grave ! 



(f. Kinjdeii, " Vltoii J.ocke's Song.") 



