learning began with the introduction of Christianity, and continued to improve even during many wars and devastations; the nation having preserved its integrity, notwithstanding all its misfortunes and revolutions. We have recorded these vicissitudes. It is astonishing that he should have compiled such an indifferent dictionary. ON METRE1. The word 'metre' (or measure), as applied to a verse, signifies the way in which it is divided or measured. IAMBIC METRE. When the iambus prevails in the verse, the metre is called iambic. The iambic metre is sometimes found in verses of four or six, but is chiefly used in those of eight or ten, syllables. The following iambic lines are made up of eight syllables (or four feet): 1 'Why hast thou thus | from child hood's hour Untaught that such | must fade | away? This form is most frequently used in shorter pieces, such as ballads, songs, &c. When the iambic line consists of ten syllables, the verse is called heroic. This form is used in the dialogue of tragedy and comedy, and in epic poems. It is seldom, however, found pure; but 1 From the Greek μérpov (metron), a measure. frequently admits trochees, and sometimes even dactyls and anapæsts, particularly in the uneven places, viz., the first, third, &c., feet of the line. The following are examples: 1. Cromwell,1 | I did | not think | to shed | a tear 2 2. In all | my miseries; | but thou | hast forced | me 3. Out of | thine hon est truth, | to play | the woman. 4. Let's dry our eyes; and thus far hear me, Cromwell; 5. And, when | I am forgotten, as I shall | be, 6. And sleep in dull | cold marble, where | no mention 7. Of me more must be heard | of, say | I taught | thee, &c. 1 2 3 1. Now came still Ev'|ning on, 4 5 and Twilight gray 2. Had in her so ber liv'ry all things clad. 3. Silence | accompanied; I for beast and bird, Occasionally, an iambic line of six feet (or twelve syllables), called an Alexandrine, is introduced in heroic verse. This is done to produce a particular effect, or to give an imposing cadence to a stanza: 1 2 3 5 6 Thy realms | for ever last, | thy own | Messilah reigns.' A needless Alexandrine ends the song, That like a wounded snake | drags its | slow length | along.' 1 The words in italic are trochees. 2 At the end of the line a redundant unaccented syllable is frequently found. Another form of iambic verse consists of seven feet (or fourteen syllables). This was employed with great effect by Chapman in his translation of Homer's Iliad.' The following is a specimen : 1 From his bright helm | and shield | did burn | a most | 6 7 unwea ried fire, Like rich Autumnus' golden lamp, whose brightness men admire. Past all the other host of stars, when with his cheerful face, Fresh washed in lofty ocean waves, he doth the sky enchase.' This form is now more commonly restricted to psalms and hymns. The line is also now generally divided into two parts, the first containing eight, and the second six, syllables; thus— From his bright helm | and shield | did burn | Like rich Autumnus' golden lamp, Whose brightness men admire, &c. TROCHAIC METRE. Trochaic verse is better adapted to lighter and more lively subjects. The line appears in various lengths : 1. Of three trochees, with or without a redundant final syllable; as, When the praise thou meetest Oh! then remember me.' 2. Of four trochees; as, 1 2 3 4 'Faintly flow thou | falling river, 3. Of six trochees; as, On a mountain, I stretched beneath a | hoary | willow, Lay a shepherd swain, and viewed the rolling billow.' EXERCISE. Let the learner explain, and divide the lines in the following specimens of dissyllabic metre. 1. These are thy glorious works, Parent of good, Almighty, thine this universal frame, 2. 3. Thus wondrous fair; thyself how wondrous then! In these thy lowest works; yet these declare 'By the moon we sport and play, 'The wanton troopers, riding by, Have shot my fawn, and it will die. Ungentle men! They cannot thrive Who killed thee. Thou ne'er did'st alive Them any harm: alas! nor could 4. O that estates, degrees, and offices, Were not derived corruptly! and that clear honour How much low peasantry would then be gleaned To be new varnished!' 5. When Ajax strives some rock's vast weight to throw The line too labours, and the words move slow: Not so when swift Camilla scours the plain; Flies o'er the unbending corn, and skims along the main.' ANAPESTIC METRE. The shortest form of this metre consists of two anapæsts; as, 1 2 In a dairy a crow Having ventured to go Some food for her young ones to seek, With a fine piece of cheese, Which she joyfully held in her beak.' The second form consists of three anapæsts; as, 3 'I am monarch of all | I survey, I am lord of the fowl and the brute.' The third form of anapastic verse consists of four anapæsts; as, 1 4 'As a beam | o'er the face of the waters may glow, DACTYLIC METRE This form is not often used, and is generally mixed with other metres. |