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p. 183
The line
of 6xa is also called an Alexandrine, and is used to close the
long stanza employed by Spenser.
19. Trochaic Tetrameter consists of four trochees; and its
formula is 4ax.
(i) The following is rhymed trochaic tetrameter :-
When the heathen trumpet's clang-|=4ax
Round beleaguered Chester rang,-|=4ax
Veiled nun and friar gray -|=4ax
Marched from Bangor's fair abbaye-1=4ax
It will be noticed that each line has a syllable wanting to
make up the four complete feet.
(ii) The following is unrhymed trochaic tetrameter :-
Then the little | Hia | watha | =4ax
Learned of ev'ry | bird the | language, |=4ax
Learned their | names and | all their | secrets, |=4ax
How they built their nests in | summer, |=4ax
Where they hid them | selves in | winter, |=4ax
Talked with them when | e'er he | met them, |=4ax
Called them "Hiawatha's | Chickens." |=4ax
It will be observed that, in the above lines from Longfellow's
Hiawatha," each trochee is complete; and this is the case
throughout the whole of this poem.