78 On RYTHMICAL MEASURES. 



takes place upon the firft fyllable, may be confidered as tro- 

 chees. After thefe, there is a ftrong or accented fyllable, which 

 clofes the verfe, and, along with the introductory fyllable of 

 the next line, completes the number of five feet *. 



To | wake the | foul — by | tender | ftrokes of | art. 



This model is not always obferved. Our beft poets make fre- 

 quent deviations from it, in order to give variety to the cadence 

 of their verfes, or to render them more expreflive of the fenti- 

 ments or emotions which they wifh to convey. 



This verfe, like the ancient hexameter, admits of a break 

 or divifion. As, according to what was formerly obferved, we 

 generally reckon combinations of five by two pairs and an odd 

 one, we make this break with moft fatisfaclion upon the leading 

 found of the fecond foot, or the fourth fyllable of the verfe. 



To make mankind — in confcious virtue bold. 



We can alfo make a divifion at the fixth fyllable, as in this cafe 

 we have ftill one pair, with its introductory found, remaining. 



Of that forbidden tree — whofe mortal tafte f. 



Sometimes too the words are fo arranged, that the divifion muft 

 neceffarily take place at the fifth fyllable or feeble found of the 

 fecond foot. This divifion gives a paufe more real, and more 

 diftinctly felt, than thofe formerly mentioned. As we muft be- 

 gin 



* This verfe is a combination of five times, more in appearance than in reality. When 

 it is well conftru&ed, it will feldom fail to give the perfon who pronounces it the difpofi- 

 tion and opportunity, by means of refts, of completing fix, fometimes perhaps eight 

 times. 



•j- When, by means of refts at the clofe, the time of fix feet is completed in pro- 

 nunciation, this break divides the whole time into two threes. 



