a. The Iambic Tetrameter Catalectic (Sept=en=arius). This consists of seven and a half iambic feet, with diaeresis after the fourth and with the same substitutions as in Iambic Trimeter: -
*beginverse nam idcirco arces|sor, nuptias || quod mi adpara |r=i sensit.
quibus quidem quam faci|le potuerat || quiesc=i si hic | quiesset !
- Ter. And. 690, 691.
*endverse
The metrical scheme of these two verses may be represented as follows: -
|| > - > - | > - - || > - - | > - ||
|| > | - || - > - | - ||
Its movement is like the following: -
In good king Charles's golden days, when loyalty no harm meant.
- Vicar of Bray.
b. The Iambic Tetrameter Acatalectic (Oct=on=arius). This consists of right full iambic feet with the same substitutions as in Iambic Trimeter. Like the Septenarius it is used in lively dialogue: -
*beginverse d=icat eam dare | n=os Phormio|n=i || nuptum ne | suscenseat ;
et magis esse il | lum idoneum, || qui ipsi sit fami|liarior.
- Ter. Ph. 720, 721.
*endverse
The metrical scheme of these two verses may be represented as follows: -
|| > > | > - - | > || - > - | > - ||
|| > > - | - - || > - > | - ||
c. The Iambic Dimeter. This may be either acatalectic or catalectic.
1. The Iambic Dimeter Acatalectic consists of four iambic feet. It is used in combination with some longer verse (see § 618. a).
2. The Iambic Dimeter Catalectic consists of three and a half iambic feet. It is used only in choruses: -
*beginverse
qu=onam cruen|ta Maen=as,
praeceps amo|re saev=o,
rapitur quod im|potent=i
facinus parat | furore? - Sen. Med. 850 - 853.
*endverse
NOTE: Owing to the fact that in modern music each measure begins with a downward beat, some scholars regard all these forms of Iambic verse as Trochaic verse with anacrusis (§ 618. c. N.).