2660. This verse is used by Catullus (34, 61), by Horace (in the First,
Second, and Third Asclepiadean Strophes: see 2731, 2732, 2733), and by
Seneca and other later writers. It is a logaoedic tetrapody catalectic,
with a dactyl in the second place. The scheme is:--
[-́ ⏑] |
-́ > | -́ ⏖ | -́ ⏑ | -́ ⌃
[⏑́ -] |
The trochee and iambus in the first foot occur in Catullus, but not in
Horace (except in the doubtful case, 1, 15, 36). There is generally a
trithemimeral caesura; more rarely one in the arsis of the second foot.
Examples are:--
Quém mor|tís ‖ timu|ít gra|dúm (H. 1, 3, 17).
With initial trochee: Mónti|úm ‖ domi|n(a) út fo|rḗs (Cat. 34, 9).
With initial iambus: Púel|l(ae) ét ‖ pue|r(ī) ínte|grī́ (Cat. 34, 2).
2661. (1.) This verse in composition with the Pherecratean forms the
_Priapean_ (2674).
2662. (2.) In admitting the trochee and iambus in the first foot,
Catullus follows Greek models, while Horace adheres to the stricter
Roman usage, as laid down by the grammarians of his own day. Seneca
observes the same rule as Horace, but some of the later writers (e.g.
Terentianus) revert to the earlier and freer usage.
THE LESSER (or DECASYLLABIC) ALCAIC.
2663. This verse is a logaoedic tetrapody acatalectic, with dactyls in
the first and second places. The scheme is:--
-́ ⏖ | -́ ⏖ | -́ ⏑ | -́ ⏑
There is no fixed caesura, though there is frequently a break after the
thesis, or in the arsis, of the second foot. Examples are:--
Flū́mina | cṓnstite|rínt a|cūtō (H. 1, 9, 4).
Móntibus | ét Tibe|rím re|vértī (H. 1, 29, 12).