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Proper Names in Old English Verse
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 December 2020
Extract
It is true that the poets often allow proper names to disturb the rhythmic character of verse; but there are limits beyond which few versifiers will be found to push any special license that they may be disposed to exercise in the use of names. The famous Shakespearean crux in the line,
“Lucius, Lucullus, and Sempronius Vllorxa,”
[Timon, III, iv, 112.]
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- Research Article
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- Copyright
- Copyright © Modern Language Association of America, 1899
References
1 There is regal advice upon this subject which is so refreshingly nave that it will always appraise itself:
That Ђe eschew to insert in Ђour verse, a lang rable of mennis names, or names of tounis, or sik vther names. Because it is hard to mak many lang names all placit together, to flow weill. Thairfore quhen that fallis out in Ђour purpose, Ђe sail ather put bot twa or thrie of thame in euerie lyne, mixing vther wordis amang thame, or ellis specific bot twa or thre of them at all, saying (With the laif of that race) or (With the rest in thay pairtis,) or sic vther lyke wordis: as for example,
Out through his eairt, quhair Eous mas eik
VVith other thre, guhilk Phaton had dravvin.
ge sie thair is bot ane name there specifeit, to serue for vther thrie of that sorte.
James VI of Scotland, I of England, The Essayes of
a Prentise, in the Divine Art of Poesie, Edinburgh,
1585 [Arber's English Reprints, No. 19, p. 62].