A NOTE ON THE ALEXANDRINE 
111 
 
10.  After the second and fourth feet, but with each line rimed 
within itself : 
 
Oh for the blind kiss of the wind, the desert air 
Thrilling the blue and shrilling through my soul’s despair. 
(“ Thrilling ” and “ shrilling ” are here thrown in without 
extra charge.  This device frequently recurs.) 
There may be one or two other complications which I have 
overlooked. 
I have made use of the usual liberties in the matter of 
using anapæsts and trochees for iambics.  With regard to 
double rimes, I have sometimes treated them as single rimes, 
when they occur in the middle of a line ;  sometimes I have 
made the line of thirteen syllables to suit them. 
I have even, once or twice, used the reverse method of 
calling a pause a half foot.  “ Stare, murderer, stare,” counts 
as six syllables. 
All this has been done of high purpose ;  there is some in-
flection or emphasis to be gained, or some tone to be given 
to the speech by the irregularity. 
But there is sure to be a serious quarrel about the caesura.  
This does not always follow the fall of the rime.  I have even 
rimed with the middle of a word : 
 
Hell surges ;  all its demons yell with triumph :  fell 
Swell their appalling choirs the unutterable spell. 
 
Even some of the plain Alexandrines have no proper caesura : 
 
Mischief, I gather, Mistress Mary Magdalene ! 
 
Here there is no possible beat. 
I have done this in order to indicate to the actors who will 
play this comedy if ever there is an English speaking stage