Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1855 Excerpt:...re Kai. but this is by no means always the case. The hiatus occurs in the Dochmius, both on the first syllable of the arsis: e. g. & p.oi iy.iiv Vootwv. Aj. 900. « and in the last:--jHj.lverai evff eXi?e»'. (Ed. Tyr. 686. yd re Kal Ovsev Wv. El. 245. This licence does not appear to have been usual in the second arsis. We now proceed to consider a most material point in the constitution of the Dochmius, viz. the nature of the final syllable. This was formerly supposed to be common; hence it was believed that each Dochmius was independent in itself, the length of the final syllable being determined by circumstances, and having no relation to the Dochmius succeeding. This view of the case was supported at first sight by the existence of many Dochmiacs in which the final syllable was undoubtedly short, and hence it was hastily concluded that the quantity of the final syllable was indifferent. A more careful investigation has led to the conclusion that the final syllable is not doubtful, but is in its nature long; the proof of this rests upon the fact that we find it often resolved, which would be a violation of a fundamental principle of metre if this syllable were doubtful. If this be so, from this determination of the character of the final syllable, there results the further conclusion, that Dochmiac verses are written in a connected series, the very principle of such species of verses being that the final syllable either preserves its length or else is resolved; the doubtful syllable belonging to those species of verse only which are unconnected. In the following instances the final arsis is resolved:--KtXaivOE 3' "AV'Sog viropefiei fiv6g. iEsch. Prom. V. 433. J----W W I w J w--V--iroXtraig tVaflov Id) fityaXa roi. Eum. 790. iyl, pafi irv...