Besides the foregoing there are other kinds of feet that sometimes occur. These are named the pyrrhic, the spondee, the amphibrach, and the tribrach. The pyrrhic consists of two short and the spondee of two long syllables. The amphibrach contains three syllables, of which the first and third are short and the second long. The tribrach consists of three short syllables.

Examples

Pyrrhic - " On the tall tree." Spondee. - " The pale moon." Amphibrach. - " Delightful, Domestic." Tribrach.-" Numerable, conquerable."

Poetical Pauses

The full effect in reading poetry is most completely given when a slight pause is made at the close of every line, even though the sense may not require a pause. Frequently a pause for sense is found in or near the middle of the line, particularly of long lines, in which it improves the rhythm, and brings out the meaning of the poem with much better effect. This pause is called the coesural pause, and is shown in the following examples.

Caesural Pause

On her white breast | a sparkling cross she wore - Which Jews might kiss | and infidels adore. Her lively looks | a sprightly mind disclose, Quick as her eyes | and as unfixed as those; Favors to none, | to all she smiles extends, Oft she rejects, | but never once offends.

•' Then her cheek | was pale, and thinner | | than should be | for one so young; And her eyes, | on all my motions, | | with a mute observance hung."

The final pause occurs at the end of each line whether the sense requires it or not, though it should not be too distinctly marked, as it consists merely in a brief suspension of the voice without any change in tone or accent. The following example shows its effect.

Final Pause

Ye who have anxiously and fondly watched Beside a fading friend, unconscious that The cheek's bright crimson, lovely to the view, Like nightshade, with unwholesome beauty bloomed.