Below are variations on the Aeolic verse pattern, centralized in the glycolic verse discussed in the previous post. To review the glyconic, click here.
A Priapean verse is 1 glyconic and 1 Pherecratean together, with a diaeresis between them
xx –˘˘–˘– // ˚˚–˘˘– –
- the verse form is named for the Priapeia, a collection of 95 anonymous poems concerning the phallic god Priapus, some of which are written in the Priapean style
The Lesser Asclepiad is 1 glyconic with 1 extra nucleus interposed
xx –˘˘– –˘˘– ˘–
- there is usually a word-end after the first of the two nuclei
- the verse form is named for the Hellenistic poet Asclepiades
The Greater Asclepiad features 1 glyconic with 2 extra nuclei interposed
xx –˘˘– –˘˘– –˘˘–˘–
- there are usually word-ends at the first and second nuclei
The Alcaic Hendecasyllable features 1 iambic metron with a shortened (‘headless’) glyconic
x–˘– x –˘˘– ˘–
- The gylconic is shortened insofar as it is missing it’s first variable syllable
- The line is so-named because it contains eleven syllables (Greek ἕνδεκα)
- The line is name of the lyric poet Alcaeus
The Phalaecean Hendecasyllable is a glyconic followed by a 1 bacchiac foot
xx –˘˘– ˘– ˘–x
- The verse is named for Phalaecus, an early epigrammatist
- Is it just mean, or are these verse forms starting to sound like breeds of dragon from Harry Potter?
Non-Glyconic Aeolic Styles
The following verse variations are not considered glyconic derivatives.
The Aristophanic features a nucleus and a 1 bacciac foot
- Named, of course, for Aristophanes
The Adonic verse form is a nucleus with one long
- It is named for laments to Adonis, the ‘eastern’ god of beauty, desire, etc.
- It is the fourth line of the Sapphic stanza
The Sapphic Hendecasyllable contains 1 trochaic and an Aristophanic (nucleus with bacchiac foot)
–˘–x –˘˘– ˘––
The Greater Sapphic interposes an additional nucleus.
–˘–x –˘˘– –˘˘– ˘––
- Both verses are featured in the Sapphic stanza, named for the poet Sappho
The Lesser Alcaic features a dactyl and an Aristophanic (nucleus with a bacciac foot)
–˘˘ –˘˘– ––
The Essential AG: 625
cui dōnō lepidum novum libellum? [a Phalaecean hendecasyllable: xx ––˘˘– ˘–˘–x]
to whom do I dedicate this charming new booklet? -Catullus, Carmina 1.1