On RYTHMICAL MEASURES. 75 



meafure. The moft fimple divifion of fix is into two threes. 

 Hence we generally wifh to conclude the firft member of a 

 hexameter verfe with the firft fyllable of the third foot ; and 

 are pleafed, when we have an opportunity of doing fo, by that 

 fyllable being the termination of a word. 



Tityre, tu patulse — recubans fub tegmine fagi. 

 Nos patriae fines — nos dulcia linquimus arva. 



This divifion of the hexameter verfe, not only gratifies the na- 

 tural propenfities above mentioned, but, as the concluding fyl- 

 lable of the verfe is in the unaccented part of the meafure, it 

 gives a variety to the cadence of the two members, and pre- 

 vents them from being fimilar or convertible *, which is al- 

 ways confidered as a fault in the ftructure of verfes, and un- 

 doubtedly gives them a difgufting uniformity. We can alfo 

 make the break at the fecond fyllable of the third foot, when 

 it happens to be a daclyle ; as, in this cafe, we have ftill a 

 feeble found with which to begin the fecond member, and the 

 time of the firft member is more nearly completed. 



Formofam refonare — doces Amaryllida filvas. 



This penthemimer divifion of the hexameter verfe, though the 

 moft agreeable, does not always take place. To obtain variety, 

 it is neceffary that it fhould occafionally be divided other wife. 

 The number fix may alfo be eafily conceived as made up of 

 three pairs. By making the break at the firft fyllable of the 

 fourth foot, we have two pairs, deficient of their juft time by 

 the feeble fyllable or fyllables, which are introductory to the 

 meafure of the fucceeding member. 



Ille meas errare boves — ut cernis, et ipfum. 



K 2 The 



* As, Cornua veletarum — vertimus antennarum, 



