Follow, followeThus haue I briefely described eight seueral kinds of English numbers simple or compound. The first was our Iambick pure and licentiate. The second, that which I call our Dimeter, being derived either from the end of our Iambick, or from the beginning of our Trochaick. The third which I deliuered was our English Trochaick verse. The fourth our English Elegeick. The fift, sixt, and seauenth, were our English Saphick, and two other Lyricall numbers, the one beginning with that verse which I call our Dimeter, the other ending with the same. The eight and last was a kind of Anacreontick verse, handled in this Chapter. These numbers which by my long obseruation I have found agreeable with the nature of our sillables, I haue set forth for the benefit of our language, which I presume the learned will not only imitate, but also polish and amplifie with their owne inuentions. Some eares accustomed altogether to the fatnes of rime, may perhaps except against the cadences of these numbers, but let any man judicially examine them, and he shall finde they close of themselues so perfectly, that the help of rime were not only in them superfluous, but also absurd. Moreouer, that they agree with the nature of our English it is manifest, because they entertaine so willingly out owne British names, which the writers in English Heroicks could neuer aspire vnto, and euen our Rimers themselues haue rather delighted in borrowed names then in their owne, though much more apt and necessary. But it is now time that I set such lawes vpon them as by imitation, reason, or experience, I can confirme. Yet before I enter into that discourse, I will briefely recite, and dispose in order all such feete as are necessary for composition of the verses before described. They are fixe in number, three whereof consist of two sillables, and as many of three.
Though with mischiefe
Arm'd, like whirlewind
Now she flyes thee;
Time can conquer
Loues unkindness;
Loue can alter
Times disgraces;
Till death faint not
Then but followe.
Could I catch that
Nimble trayter
Skornefull Lawra,
Swift foote Lawra,
Soone then would I
Seeke auengement;
What's th'auengement?
Euen submissely
Prostrate then to
Beg for for mercye.
| Iambick: Trochoaick: Sponde: | }as{ | reuenge. Beawtie. constant. |
| Tribrack: Anapestick: Dactile: | }as{ | miserie. miseries. Destenie. |