 | CHAP. III.
Of the several sorts of Poems, or Compositions in Verse.
The Art of English Poetry |  |
SECT. V.
Of the Stanzas of 10 and 12 Verses.
The Stanzas of 10 and it Verses are seldom employ'd in our Poetry, it being very difficult to confine our selves to a certain Disposition of Rhyme, and measure of Verse for so many lines together; for which Reason those of 4, 6, and 8 Verses are the most frequent. However we sometimes find
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As soon hereafter will I lay
`Gainst what an Oracle shall say.
Fool that I was to venture to deny
A Tongue so us'd to Victory.
A Tongue so blest by nature and by Art,
That never yet it spoke, but gain'd a heart.
Tho' what you said had not been true
If spoke by any else but you:
Your Speech will govern Destiny,
And Fate will change rather than you should ly.
`Gainst what an Oracle shall say.
Fool that I was to venture to deny
A Tongue so us'd to Victory.
A Tongue so blest by nature and by Art,
That never yet it spoke, but gain'd a heart.
Tho' what you said had not been true
If spoke by any else but you:
Your Speech will govern Destiny,
And Fate will change rather than you should ly.
The same Poet furnishes us with an Example of a Stanza of 12 Verses in the Ode he calls the Prophet, where the Rhymes are observ'd in the same manner as in the former Example:
Teach me to Love! Go teach thy self more wit:
I chief Professor am of it.
Teach Craft to Scots, and thrift to Jews,
Teach boldness to the Stews.
In Tyrants Courts teach supple flattery,
Teach Jesuits that have Travell'd far to ly.
Teach Fire to burn, and Winds to blow,
Teach restless Fountains how to flow.
Teach the dull Earth fixt to abide,
Teach Womankind Inconstancy and Pride.
See if your diligence there will useful prove;
But, prithee, teach not me to love.
I chief Professor am of it.
Teach Craft to Scots, and thrift to Jews,
Teach boldness to the Stews.
In Tyrants Courts teach supple flattery,
Teach Jesuits that have Travell'd far to ly.
Teach Fire to burn, and Winds to blow,
Teach restless Fountains how to flow.
Teach the dull Earth fixt to abide,
Teach Womankind Inconstancy and Pride.
See if your diligence there will useful prove;
But, prithee, teach not me to love.
| CHAP. III.
Of the several sorts of Poems, or Compositions in Verse.
The Art of English Poetry | |