19. In this measure, as in the sapphic, the greatest beauty and harmony is obtained, by giving variety to the lines and stanzas with respect to each other; and it may be observed that much will depend, in successful composition, upon the judgment with which the length of the respective clauses is managed. It is not desirable to limit the expression of an idea to the compass of a stanza; but it may be remarked, that it were better to avoid extending the same thought beyond three stanzas.

OTHER RULES.

1. A short vowel at the end of a word is never placed before sp, sq, sc, st.

2. The pronoun is must be avoided in the lyric poetry, both as a substantive and an adjective. It is found only twice in the odes of Horace, viz. III. 11. 18; and IV. 8. 18.

1. Muniant angues, ejus caput atque.

2. Ejus qui domitâ nomen ab Africâ.

In the first example, Dr. Bentley proposes the reading,"exeatque ; " Cunningham, "æstuetque." In the latter, the line is a periphrasis for Africanus, a name, " quod versu dicere non est."

3. Nouns in ius and ium make the genitive in 1, not ii:

Quem vocet divum populus ruentis

Imperî rebus ?

Vis consilî expers mole ruit suâ.

4. Nouns in ium sometimes may be read as if ium were written yum:

Vis lene consilium et datis, et dato

Hinc omne principium, huc refer exitum.

5. O final ought not to be short; there occur only two instances of its being short in the odes of Horace, viz. Et consulenti, Pollio, curio.

Curta nescio quid semper abest rei.

PART I.

EXERCISE I.

SAPPHIC.

Muse.

TOUCH the vocal chords, [O] studious moderare auratum

Muse, and modulate the golden quill; referamus

Let-us-recount a few [things] concerning the many acts Of [our] beloved king.

Stella, now the honour and pleasure of her Mother,

e

Weaves a crown of violets alone,

cætera

Leaving the rest.

affer

EXERCISE III.

SAPPHIC.

Cheerfulness.

blandi

Go, boy; bring the companion of [my] pleasing labour,

Let Galatea come out-of the lowest depth,

Nil

Not-at-all fearing the savage loves of Polypheme;

durum

Nor to me singing harshly may the back-flowing

obstrepat

Wave roar.

EXERCISE V.

SAPPHIC.

Faith.

numen

O, Faith! rare and calm power ;

reticenda

O [thou that art] to-be-passed-in-silence by me [in]

parvulus

Reposed [in] the lap of [its] mother, the little

Infant, ignorant of care, rests:

almus

Thrice, four times, happy! thus always benign

pelles

To-be-dreaded: he [his] adamantine coverings

chlamydem consertam

partic.

And coat-of-mail bound-together with rigid iron,

trilicem

And having-a-triple-tissue, has put on.

EXERCISE VIII.

ALCAIC.

Eurydice.

Alas! in-vain the hollow shores

sonant

And rocks and rivers re-echo the beloved Eurydice.

Sweet spring puts-forth [its] flowers; and the fiery Summer succeeds: whom follows [her] sister

caduca

Autumn, destined-to-fall into winter :
Thus, also, the life of man creeps-on.

EXERCISE X.

ALCAIC.

Ship.

The ship proudly on ocean's

Dorso

Surface carried, expands [her] wings; and [her] golden

1

Prow to the heavens with majesty

Erects, not fearing tempests.