![page 199]()
p. 199
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-1=4ax
Round beleaguered Chester rang, - 1=4ax
Veiled nun and friar gray - 1=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 But the missing syllable is
only an unaccented syllable; and the line contains four ac-
cents.
(ü) The following is unrhymed trochaic tetrameter :-
Then the little | Hia | watha | = 4ax
Learned of ev'ry | bird the language, 1=4a x
Learned their names and all their secrets, 1=4ax
How they | built their nests in | summer, 1=4ax
Where they | hid them I selves in / winter, 1=4ax
Talked with them when | e'er he met them, I=4a x
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.