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Balladeer

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Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

0 posted 2009-07-20 08:34 AM

This is just an exercise for those studying meter and flow. Many of the great poems of the past have had areas where their meter slipped in places. This is not a criticism of them, since the poets (some of the finest in history) have their poetic license to do whatever they wish.,,but it's interesting to find these variances and helps to train the eye (and ear) to recognize them and improve our own writings.

Occasionally, I will reprint one and challenge you to find the missed meter masquerader. Here's the first...

Alexander Pope (1688â€“1744)

Ode on Solitude

I.
How happy he, who free from care
The rage of courts, and noise of towns;
Contented breathes his native air,
In his own grounds.

II.
Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread,
Whose flocks supply him with attire,
Whose trees in summer yield him shade,
In winter fire.

III.
Blest! who can unconcern'dly find
Hours, days, and years slide swift away,
In health of body, peace of mind,
Quiet by day,

IV.
Sound sleep by night; study and ease
Together mix'd; sweet recreation,
And innocence, which most does please,
With meditation.

V.
Thus let me live, unheard, unknown;
Thus unlamented let me die;
Steal from the world, and not a stone
Tell where I lie.

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate

since 2000-10-29

Posts 19200
Between the Lines

1 posted 2009-07-20 12:37 PM

Is it this line?
"Together mix'd; sweet recreation"

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

2 posted 2009-07-20 12:40 PM

That line has a syllable too many for sure...good eyes!

There are more...

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate

since 2000-10-29

Posts 19200
Between the Lines

3 posted 2009-07-20 12:44 PM

I ws going to say this one but I remembered that hours may be ok as one syllable

"Hours, days, and years slide swift away,"

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

4 posted 2009-07-20 01:14 PM

Right you are, miss. Hours as a one syllable word makes it fine.

As Edgar Allen Poe used to teach, it's not the amount of syllables, it's the amount of SPOKEN syllables. There's a difference

rachaelfuchsberger

Senior Member

since 2007-02-21

Posts 609
Las Vegas, NV

5 posted 2009-07-20 02:08 PM

Blest! who can unconcern'dly find

That line doesn't quite flow right...I could be wrong.

Arana Darkwolf

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

6 posted 2009-07-20 11:47 PM

Actually the meter is right there, although I don't know why the exclamation point was used.

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