III IAMBIC VERSE English poets have written iambic verses of different lengths, from verses composed of a single foot, which are used especially in light and familiar poetry, to verses of seven, and even eight feet. The following specimen of iambic verses of one foot is taken from Herrick. UPON HIS DEPARTURE HENCE Thus í Pass bý, And díe, As óne Unknown And gone : I'm máde A sháde, I'th' gráve, My cáve : ON THE STRUCTURE OF ENGLISH VERSE 29 Iambic verses of one foot and an additional unaccented syllable are sometimes mixed with longer verses, as in the following example. COWPER (translated from the Latin of Vincent BOURNE). This iambus with an unaccented syllable added to it may be considered as a foot of three syllables; in that case, Together Ils máster are so many amphibrachs; and the line whole treasure, composed of a spondee with an unaccented syllable added to it, is an antibacchius. Here is an example of iambic verses of two feet: Iambic verses of two feet with an additional unaccented syllable are sometimes used in short poems. In the former of the two examples which follow, two such verses are enclosed between two iambic verses of three feet; and, in the latter, three verses of the same measure are followed by an iambic verse of two feet. Up, sailor boy, 'tis day The spring-tide flowing MOORE. Through clouds | like ásh es The red sun flásh es On village windows That glimmer red. LONGFELLOW. The following is a specimen of iambic verses of three feet, unmixed. A HYMN TO THE MUSES O, you ❘ the virgins níne, Nód to this vów | of míne : HERRICK. The passages given below contain iambic verses of three feet and a half, or two iambuses followed by an amphibrach, mixed with iambics of two, and of three feet. 'Twas midnight dark, The seaman's bark Swift o'er the wá|ters bóre | him, When through the night He spied a light Shoot o'er the wave | before him. MOORE. When I remember all The friends, so linked together, Like leaves in wintry weather ; Who treads alone Some bán quet-háll |. desért|ed, Whose lights are fled, Whose garlands dead, And all but he | departed! Ere slumber's cháin | has bound | me, Sad memory brings the light Of other days | around me. MOORE. Iambic verses of four feet, of which the following are a specimen, are often used in long poems, as well as in short ones. 'Tis Providence | alóne | secúres In év ery change | both mine | and yours: From dangers of | a fright| ful shápe ; In verses of this measure, the unaccented syllable of the first foot is often wanting, so that the line may pass for a trochaic verse of three feet and a half. This licence does not affect the musical flow of the verse, but rather improves it. The following passage of Milton's 'Il Penseroso' contains several verses of the kind. |