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[Translation from Statius, Thebaid VI 646-88, 704-24]


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[Translation from Statius, Thebaid VI 646-88, 704-24]


E Lib: 6to Thebaidos

1 Then thus the king: 'Whoe'er the quoit can wield,
2 And furthest send its weight athwart the field,
3 Let him stand forth his brawny arm to boast.'
4 Swift at the word, from out the gazing host
5 Young Pterelas with strength unequal drew,
6 Labouring the disc, and to small distance threw.
7 The band around admire the mighty mass,
8 A slippery weight and formed of polished brass.
9 The love of honour bade two youths advance,
10 Achaians born, to try the glorious chance;
11 A third arose, of Acarnania he,
12 Of Pisa one and three from Ephyre.
13 Nor more; for now Nesimachus's son,
14 By acclamations roused, came towering on.
15 Another orb upheaved his strong right hand,
16 Then thus: 'Ye Argive flower, ye warlike band,
17 Who trust your arms shall raze the Tyrian towers,
18 And batter Cadmus' walls with stony showers,
19 Receive a worthier load; yon puny ball
20 Let youngsters toss.'
21 He said, and scornful flung the unheeded weight
22 Aloof: the champions trembling at the sight
23 Prevent disgrace, the palm despaired resign.
24 All but two youths the enormous orb decline:
25 These conscious shame witheld and pride of noble line.
26 As bright and huge the spacious circle lay,
27 With doubled light it beamed against the day:
28 So glittering shows the Thracian godhead's shield,
29 With such a gleam affrights Pangaea's field,
30 When blazing 'gainst the sun it shines from far,
31 And, clashed, rebellows with the din of war.

32 Phlegyas the long-expected play began,
33 Summoned his strength and called forth all the man.
34 All eyes were bent on his experienced hand,
35 For oft in Pisa's sports his native land
36 Admired that arm; oft on Alpheus' shore
37 The ponderous brass in exercise he bore:
38 Where flowed the widest stream he took his stand;
39 Sure flew the disc from his unerring hand,
40 Nor stopped till it had cut the further strand.
41 And now in dust the polished ball he rolled,
42 Then grasped its weight, elusive of his hold;
43 Now fitting to his grip and nervous arm,
44 Suspends the crowd with animation warm,
45 Nor tempts he yet the plain but, hurled upright,
46 Emits the mass, a prelude of his might.
47 Firmly he plants each knee and o'er his head,
48 Collecting all his force, the circle sped.
49 It towers to cut the clouds; now through the skies
50 Sings in its rapid way and strengthens as it flies;
51 Anon with slackened rage comes quivering down,
52 Heavy and huge, and cleaves the solid ground.

53 So from the astonished stars, her nightly train,
54 The sun's pale sister, drawn by magic strain,
55 Deserts precipitant her darkened sphere.
56 In vain the nations with officious fear
57 Their cymbals toss and sounding brass explore:
58 The AEmonian hag enjoys her dreadful hour,
59 And smiles malignant on the labouring power.

60 Third in the labours of the disc came on,
61 With sturdy step and slow, Hippomedon.
62 Artful and strong he poised the well-known weight,
63 By Phlegyas warned and fired by Mnestheus' fate,
64 That to avoid and this to emulate.
65 His vigorous arm he tried before he flung,
66 Braced all his nerves and every sinew strung;
67 Then, with a tempest's whirl and wary eye,
68 Pursued his cast and hurled the orb on high;
69 The orb on high tenacious of its course,
70 True to the mighty arm that gave it force,
71 Far overleaps all bound and joys to see
72 Its ancient lord secure of victory.
73 The theatre's green height and woody wall
74 Tremble ere it precipitates its fall;
75 The ponderous mass sinks in the cleaving ground,
76 While vales and woods and echoing hills rebound.
77 As when from Aetna's smoking summit broke,
78 The eyeless Cyclops heaved the craggy rock:
79 Where ocean frets beneath the dashing oar,
80 And parting surges round the vessel roar,
81 'Twas there he aimed the meditated harm,
82 And scarce Ulysses scaped his giant arm.
83 A tiger's pride the victor bore away,
84 With native spots and artful labour gay:
85 A shining border round the margin rolled,
86 And calmed the terrors of his claws in gold.

Expanding the poem lines (+) shows the results of a computationally facilitated analysis of the text. These results should be considered as a basis for deeper interpretative enquiry such as can be found in the notes and queries.

0 [Translation from Statius, Thebaid VI 646-88, 704-24]

Metrical notation:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/
Metrical foot type:  iambic (-+)
Metrical foot number:  pentameter (5 feet)
Rhyme scheme:  aa
Rhyme (stanza position):  pair (aabb)
Syllable pattern:  10
Stanza:  couplet (2 lines)
Genre(s):  heroic couplet

Notation symbols: | (foot boundary), || (caesura), / (metrical line boundary), + (metrically prominent), - (metrically non-prominent)


E Lib: 6to Thebaidos

1 Then thus the king: 'Whoe'er the quoit can wield,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  wield   |   Rhyme sound:  /iːld/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): king/quoit/can /k/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Then/can /n/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Then/thus /ð/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): king/quoit/can /k/
Figure:  syncope (morphological): Whoe'er

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2 And furthest send its weight athwart the field,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  field   |   Rhyme sound:  /iːld/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): furthest/field /f/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): furthest/field /f/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): its/weight/athwart /t/

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3 Let him stand forth his brawny arm to boast.'    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  boast   |   Rhyme sound:  /əʊst/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): him/his /h/
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): brawny/boast /b/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): him/his /ɪ/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): forth/brawny /ɔː/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): him/his /h/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): him/arm /m/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): stand/brawny /n/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): stand/boast /s/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): brawny/boast /b/

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4 Swift at the word, from out the gazing host    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  host   |   Rhyme sound:  /əʊst/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Swift/from /f/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Swift/host /s/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): at/out /t/

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5 Young Pterelas with strength unequal drew,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  drew   |   Rhyme sound:  /uː/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  assonance (phonological): Young/unequal /ʌ/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): Pterelas/strength /e/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Young/strength /ŋ/

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6 Labouring the disc, and to small distance threw.    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  threw   |   Rhyme sound:  /uː/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): disc/distance /d/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): disc/distance /ɪ/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): to/threw /uː/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Labouring/small /l/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): disc/distance /d/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): disc/small/distance /s/

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7 The band around admire the mighty mass,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  mass   |   Rhyme sound:  /æs/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): mighty/mass /m/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): band/mass /æ/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): around/admire /ə/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): admire/mighty /aɪ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): band/around /n/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): admire/mighty/mass /m/

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8 A slippery weight and formed of polished brass.    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  brass   |   Rhyme sound:  /ɑːs/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  assonance (phonological): of/polished /ɒ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): slippery/polished /p/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): slippery/brass /s/

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9 The love of honour bade two youths advance,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  advance   |   Rhyme sound:  /ɑːns/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  assonance (phonological): of/honour /ɒ/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): two/youths /uː/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): love/of/advance /v/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): honour/advance /n/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): bade/advance /d/

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10 Achaians born, to try the glorious chance;    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  chance   |   Rhyme sound:  /ɑːns/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  assonance (phonological): born/glorious /ɔː/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Achaians/born/chance /n/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Achaians/chance /tʃ/

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11 A third arose, of Acarnania he,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  he   |   Rhyme sound:  /iː/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  assonance (phonological): arose/Acarnania /ə/

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12 Of Pisa one and three from Ephyre.    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  Ephyre   |   Rhyme sound:  /iː/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  assonance (phonological): Of/from /ɒ/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): Pisa/three /iː/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): from/Ephyre /f/

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13 Nor more; for now Nesimachus's son,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  son   |   Rhyme sound:  /ʌn/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): Nor/now/Nesimachus's /n/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): Nor/more/for /ɔː/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Nor/now/Nesimachus's/son /n/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Nesimachus's/son /s/

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14 By acclamations roused, came towering on.    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  on   |   Rhyme sound:  /ɒn/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  assonance (phonological): acclamations/came /eɪ/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): roused/towering /aʊ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): acclamations/came /k/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): acclamations/came /m/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): roused/towering /r/

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15 Another orb upheaved his strong right hand,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  hand   |   Rhyme sound:  /ænd/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): his/hand /h/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): Another/upheaved /ʌ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Another/hand /n/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): upheaved/his/hand /h/

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16 Then thus: 'Ye Argive flower, ye warlike band,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  band   |   Rhyme sound:  /ænd/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): Ye/ye /j/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): Ye/ye /iː/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Then/band /n/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Then/thus /ð/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Ye/ye /j/
Figure:  diacope (morphological): Ye/ye

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17 Who trust your arms shall raze the Tyrian towers,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  towers   |   Rhyme sound:  /aʊəz/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): trust/Tyrian/towers /t/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): trust/Tyrian/towers /t/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): raze/Tyrian /r/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): raze/towers /z/

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18 And batter Cadmus' walls with stony showers,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  showers   |   Rhyme sound:  /əʊəz/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  assonance (phonological): And/batter /æ/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): stony/showers /əʊ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): walls/with /w/

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19 Receive a worthier load; yon puny ball    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  ball   |   Rhyme sound:  /ɔːl/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  consonance (phonological): load/ball /l/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): yon/puny /n/

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20 Let youngsters toss.'    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  toss   |   Rhyme sound:  /ɒs/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+   |   Metrical foot number:  dimeter (2 feet)   |   Syllables:  4
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Let/toss /t/

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21 He said, and scornful flung the unheeded weight    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  weight   |   Rhyme sound:  /eɪt/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): said/scornful /s/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): He/unheeded /iː/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): flung/unheeded /ʌ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): He/unheeded /h/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): said/unheeded /d/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): said/scornful /s/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): scornful/unheeded /n/

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22 Aloof: the champions trembling at the sight    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  sight   |   Rhyme sound:  /aɪt/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  assonance (phonological): champions/at /æ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): champions/trembling /m/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): trembling/at/sight /t/

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23 Prevent disgrace, the palm despaired resign.    
Rhyme:  aaa   |   Rhyme word(s):  resign   |   Rhyme sound:  /aɪn/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Stanza:  triplet (3 lines)
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): Prevent/palm /p/
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): disgrace/despaired /d/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): Prevent/disgrace/despaired/resign /ɪ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Prevent/resign /n/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Prevent/palm /p/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): disgrace/despaired /d/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): disgrace/despaired /s/

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24 All but two youths the enormous orb decline:    
Rhyme:  aaa   |   Rhyme word(s):  decline   |   Rhyme sound:  /aɪn/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Stanza:  triplet (3 lines)
Figure:  assonance (phonological): All/enormous/orb /ɔː/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): two/youths /uː/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): enormous/decline /ɪ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): but/orb /b/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): but/two /t/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): enormous/decline /n/

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25 These conscious shame witheld and pride of noble line.    
Rhyme:  aaa   |   Rhyme word(s):  line   |   Rhyme sound:  /aɪn/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Stanza:  triplet (3 lines)
Figure:  assonance (phonological): conscious/of /ɒ/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): pride/line /aɪ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): These/witheld /ð/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): conscious/noble/line /n/

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26 As bright and huge the spacious circle lay,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  lay   |   Rhyme sound:  /eɪ/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): spacious/circle /s/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): As/and /æ/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): spacious/lay /eɪ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): spacious/circle /s/

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27 With doubled light it beamed against the day:    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  day   |   Rhyme sound:  /eɪ/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): doubled/day /d/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): With/it /ɪ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): doubled/beamed /b/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): doubled/day /d/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): light/it /t/

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28 So glittering shows the Thracian godhead's shield,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  shield   |   Rhyme sound:  /iːld/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): glittering/godhead's /g/
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): shows/shield /ʃ/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): So/shows /əʊ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): glittering/godhead's /g/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): shows/Thracian/shield /ʃ/

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29 With such a gleam affrights Pangaea's field,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  field   |   Rhyme sound:  /iːld/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  assonance (phonological): gleam/Pangaea's/field /iː/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): affrights/field /f/

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30 When blazing 'gainst the sun it shines from far,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  far   |   Rhyme sound:  /ɑː/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): from/far /f/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): When/'gainst /e/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): When/'gainst/sun/shines /n/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): from/far /f/
Figure:  aphaeresis (morphological): 'gainst

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31 And, clashed, rebellows with the din of war.    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  war   |   Rhyme sound:  /ɔː/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  assonance (phonological): And/clashed /æ/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): rebellows/with/din /ɪ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): with/war /w/

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32 Phlegyas the long-expected play began,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  began   |   Rhyme sound:  /æn/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  assonance (phonological): Phlegyas/long-expected /e/

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33 Summoned his strength and called forth all the man.    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  man   |   Rhyme sound:  /æn/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): Summoned/strength /s/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): and/man /æ/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): called/forth/all /ɔː/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Summoned/man /m/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Summoned/strength /s/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): called/all /l/

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34 All eyes were bent on his experienced hand,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  hand   |   Rhyme sound:  /ænd/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): his/hand /h/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): his/experienced /ɪ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): eyes/his /z/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): bent/on/hand /n/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): his/hand /h/

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35 For oft in Pisa's sports his native land    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  land   |   Rhyme sound:  /ænd/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  assonance (phonological): For/sports /ɔː/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): in/his /ɪ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): For/oft /f/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): in/native/land /n/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Pisa's/sports /s/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): sports/native /t/

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36 Admired that arm; oft on Alpheus' shore    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  shore   |   Rhyme sound:  /ɔː/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  assonance (phonological): oft/on /ɒ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Admired/arm /m/

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37 The ponderous brass in exercise he bore:    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  bore   |   Rhyme sound:  /ɔː/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): brass/bore /b/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): ponderous/in /n/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): brass/bore /b/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): brass/exercise /s/

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38 Where flowed the widest stream he took his stand;    
Rhyme:  aaa   |   Rhyme word(s):  stand   |   Rhyme sound:  /ænd/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Stanza:  triplet (3 lines)
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): Where/widest /w/
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): stream/stand /s/
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): he/his /h/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): stream/he /iː/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Where/widest /w/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): flowed/widest /d/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): stream/stand /s/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): he/his /h/

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39 Sure flew the disc from his unerring hand,    
Rhyme:  aaa   |   Rhyme word(s):  hand   |   Rhyme sound:  /ænd/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Stanza:  triplet (3 lines)
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): flew/from /f/
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): his/hand /h/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): disc/his /ɪ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): flew/from /f/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): his/hand /h/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): unerring/hand /n/

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40 Nor stopped till it had cut the further strand.    
Rhyme:  aaa   |   Rhyme word(s):  strand   |   Rhyme sound:  /ænd/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Stanza:  triplet (3 lines)
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): stopped/strand /s/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): till/it /ɪ/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): had/strand /æ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Nor/strand /n/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): stopped/strand /s/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): till/it/cut /t/

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41 And now in dust the polished ball he rolled,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  rolled   |   Rhyme sound:  /əʊld/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  consonance (phonological): now/in /n/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): polished/ball/rolled /l/

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42 Then grasped its weight, elusive of his hold;    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  hold   |   Rhyme sound:  /əʊld/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): his/hold /h/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): its/elusive/his /ɪ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): grasped/elusive /s/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): its/weight /t/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): elusive/hold /l/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): his/hold /h/

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43 Now fitting to his grip and nervous arm,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  arm   |   Rhyme sound:  /ɑːm/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): Now/nervous /n/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): fitting/his/grip /ɪ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Now/nervous /n/

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44 Suspends the crowd with animation warm,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  warm   |   Rhyme sound:  /ɔːm/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Suspends/animation /n/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): with/warm /w/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): animation/warm /m/

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45 Nor tempts he yet the plain but, hurled upright,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  upright   |   Rhyme sound:  /aɪt/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): he/hurled /h/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): tempts/yet /e/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): but/upright /ʌ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Nor/plain /n/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): tempts/yet/but/upright /t/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): he/hurled /h/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): plain/upright /p/

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46 Emits the mass, a prelude of his might.    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  might   |   Rhyme sound:  /aɪt/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): mass/might /m/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): Emits/his /ɪ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Emits/mass/might /m/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Emits/might /t/

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47 Firmly he plants each knee and o'er his head,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  head   |   Rhyme sound:  /ed/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): he/his/head /h/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): he/each/knee /iː/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): he/his/head /h/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): plants/knee /n/
Figure:  syncope (morphological): o'er

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48 Collecting all his force, the circle sped.    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  sped   |   Rhyme sound:  /ed/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): circle/sped /s/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): Collecting/sped /e/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): all/force /ɔː/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Collecting/all /l/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Collecting/circle /k/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): force/circle/sped /s/

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49 It towers to cut the clouds; now through the skies    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  skies   |   Rhyme sound:  /aɪz/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): cut/clouds /k/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): towers/clouds/now /aʊ/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): to/through /uː/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): It/towers/cut /t/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): towers/skies /z/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): cut/clouds /k/

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50 Sings in its rapid way and strengthens as it flies;    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  flies   |   Rhyme sound:  /aɪz/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): Sings/strengthens /s/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): Sings/in/its/it /ɪ/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): rapid/and/as /æ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Sings/strengthens /ŋ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Sings/strengthens /s/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): its/it /t/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): as/flies /z/

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51 Anon with slackened rage comes quivering down,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  down   |   Rhyme sound:  /aʊn/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): comes/quivering /k/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): with/quivering /ɪ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Anon/down /n/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): slackened/comes/quivering /k/

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52 Heavy and huge, and cleaves the solid ground.    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  ground   |   Rhyme sound:  /aʊnd/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): Heavy/huge /h/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): and/and /æ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Heavy/huge /h/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Heavy/cleaves /v/

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53 So from the astonished stars, her nightly train,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  train   |   Rhyme sound:  /eɪn/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  assonance (phonological): from/astonished /ɒ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): So/astonished/stars /s/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): astonished/nightly/train /n/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): nightly/train /t/

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54 The sun's pale sister, drawn by magic strain,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  strain   |   Rhyme sound:  /eɪn/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): sun's/sister/strain /s/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): pale/strain /eɪ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): sun's/drawn/strain /n/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): sun's/sister/strain /s/

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55 Deserts precipitant her darkened sphere.    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  sphere   |   Rhyme sound:  /ɪə/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): Deserts/darkened /d/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): Deserts/her /ɜː/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): Deserts/precipitant /ɪ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Deserts/darkened /d/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): precipitant/sphere /s/

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56 In vain the nations with officious fear    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  fear   |   Rhyme sound:  /ɪə/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  assonance (phonological): In/with/officious /ɪ/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): vain/nations /eɪ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): In/vain/nations /n/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): nations/officious /ʃ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): officious/fear /f/

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57 Their cymbals toss and sounding brass explore:    
Rhyme:  aaa   |   Rhyme word(s):  explore   |   Rhyme sound:  /ɔː/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Stanza:  triplet (3 lines)
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): cymbals/sounding /s/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): cymbals/explore /ɪ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): cymbals/toss/sounding/brass/explore /s/

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58 The AEmonian hag enjoys her dreadful hour,    
Rhyme:  aaa   |   Rhyme word(s):  hour   |   Rhyme sound:  /aʊə/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Stanza:  triplet (3 lines)
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): hag/her /h/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): Æmonian/enjoys /ɪ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Æmonian/enjoys /n/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): hag/her /h/

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59 And smiles malignant on the labouring power.    
Rhyme:  aaa   |   Rhyme word(s):  power   |   Rhyme sound:  /aʊə/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Stanza:  triplet (3 lines)
Figure:  consonance (phonological): smiles/malignant/labouring /l/

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60 Third in the labours of the disc came on,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  on   |   Rhyme sound:  /ɒn/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  assonance (phonological): in/disc /ɪ/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): labours/came /eɪ/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): of/on /ɒ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Third/disc /d/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): in/on /n/

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61 With sturdy step and slow, Hippomedon.    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  Hippomedon   |   Rhyme sound:  /on/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): sturdy/step/slow /s/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): With/Hippomedon /ɪ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): sturdy/step/slow /s/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): step/Hippomedon /p/

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62 Artful and strong he poised the well-known weight,    
Rhyme:  aaa   |   Rhyme word(s):  weight   |   Rhyme sound:  /eɪt/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Stanza:  triplet (3 lines)
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): well-known/weight /w/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Artful/weight /t/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): well-known/weight /w/

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63 By Phlegyas warned and fired by Mnestheus' fate,    
Rhyme:  aaa   |   Rhyme word(s):  fate   |   Rhyme sound:  /eɪt/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Stanza:  triplet (3 lines)
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): By/by /b/
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): Phlegyas/fired/fate /f/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): By/fired/by /aɪ/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): Phlegyas/Mnestheus' /e/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): By/by /b/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Phlegyas/fired/fate /f/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): warned/Mnestheus' /n/
Figure:  diacope (morphological): By/by

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64 That to avoid and this to emulate.    
Rhyme:  aaa   |   Rhyme word(s):  emulate   |   Rhyme sound:  /eɪt/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Stanza:  triplet (3 lines)
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): That/this /ð/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): That/and /æ/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): to/to /uː/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): That/this /ð/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): That/emulate /t/

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65 His vigorous arm he tried before he flung,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  flung   |   Rhyme sound:  /ʌŋ/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): His/he/he /h/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): His/vigorous/before /ɪ/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): he/he /iː/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): His/he/he /h/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): before/flung /f/
Figure:  diacope (morphological): he/he

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66 Braced all his nerves and every sinew strung;    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  strung   |   Rhyme sound:  /ʌŋ/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): sinew/strung /s/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): his/sinew /ɪ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Braced/sinew/strung /s/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): nerves/sinew /n/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): nerves/every /v/

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67 Then, with a tempest's whirl and wary eye,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  eye   |   Rhyme sound:  /aɪ/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): whirl/wary /w/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): Then/tempest's /e/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Then/with /ð/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): with/whirl/wary /w/

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68 Pursued his cast and hurled the orb on high;    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  high   |   Rhyme sound:  /aɪ/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): his/hurled/high /h/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Pursued/cast /s/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): his/hurled/high /h/

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69 The orb on high tenacious of its course,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  course   |   Rhyme sound:  /ɔːs/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  assonance (phonological): orb/course /ɔː/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): on/of /ɒ/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): tenacious/its /ɪ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): on/tenacious /n/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): tenacious/its /t/

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70 True to the mighty arm that gave it force,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  force   |   Rhyme sound:  /ɔːs/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  assonance (phonological): True/to /uː/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): True/mighty/that/it /t/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): mighty/arm /m/

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71 Far overleaps all bound and joys to see    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  see   |   Rhyme sound:  /iː/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  assonance (phonological): overleaps/see /iː/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): overleaps/all /l/

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72 Its ancient lord secure of victory.    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  victory   |   Rhyme sound:  /ɪ/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  assonance (phonological): Its/secure/victory /ɪ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): secure/victory /k/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): of/victory /v/

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73 The theatre's green height and woody wall    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  wall   |   Rhyme sound:  /ɔːl/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): woody/wall /w/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): theatre's/height /t/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): woody/wall /w/

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74 Tremble ere it precipitates its fall;    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  fall   |   Rhyme sound:  /ɔːl/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  assonance (phonological): it/precipitates/its /ɪ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Tremble/it/its /t/

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75 The ponderous mass sinks in the cleaving ground,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  ground   |   Rhyme sound:  /aʊnd/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  assonance (phonological): sinks/in /ɪ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): ponderous/in/ground /n/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): mass/sinks /s/

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76 While vales and woods and echoing hills rebound.    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  rebound   |   Rhyme sound:  /aʊnd/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): While/woods /w/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): and/and /æ/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): hills/rebound /ɪ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): While/vales/hills /l/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): While/woods /w/

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77 As when from Aetna's smoking summit broke,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  broke   |   Rhyme sound:  /əʊk/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): smoking/summit /s/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): smoking/broke /əʊ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): from/summit /m/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): smoking/broke /k/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): smoking/summit /s/

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78 The eyeless Cyclops heaved the craggy rock:    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  rock   |   Rhyme sound:  /ɒk/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  assonance (phonological): eyeless/Cyclops /aɪ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): Cyclops/craggy/rock /k/

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79 Where ocean frets beneath the dashing oar,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  oar   |   Rhyme sound:  /ɔː/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  consonance (phonological): ocean/dashing /ʃ/

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80 And parting surges round the vessel roar,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  roar   |   Rhyme sound:  /ɔː/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): round/roar /r/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): surges/vessel /s/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): round/roar /r/

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81 'Twas there he aimed the meditated harm,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  harm   |   Rhyme sound:  /ɑːm/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): he/harm /h/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): he/harm /h/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): aimed/meditated/harm /m/
Figure:  aphaeresis (morphological): 'Twas

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82 And scarce Ulysses scaped his giant arm.    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  arm   |   Rhyme sound:  /ɑːm/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): scarce/scaped /s/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): scarce/scaped /s/

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83 A tiger's pride the victor bore away,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  away   |   Rhyme sound:  /eɪ/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  assonance (phonological): tiger's/pride /aɪ/

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84 With native spots and artful labour gay:    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  gay   |   Rhyme sound:  /eɪ/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  assonance (phonological): native/labour/gay /eɪ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): native/spots/artful /t/

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85 A shining border round the margin rolled,    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  rolled   |   Rhyme sound:  /əʊld/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): round/rolled /r/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): shining/round /n/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): round/rolled /r/

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86 And calmed the terrors of his claws in gold.    
Rhyme:  aa   |   Rhyme word(s):  gold   |   Rhyme sound:  /əʊld/   |   Rhyme (line position):  end
Metre:  -+|-+|-+|-+|-+/   |   Syllables:  10
Figure:  alliteration (phonological): calmed/claws /k/
Figure:  assonance (phonological): his/in /ɪ/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): calmed/claws /k/
Figure:  consonance (phonological): his/claws /z/

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Expanding the poem lines (+) shows notes and queries taken from various critical editions of Gray's works, as well as those contributed by users of the Archive. There are 0 textual and 1 explanatory notes/queries.

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0 [Translation from Statius, Thebaid VI 646-88, 704-24] 1 Explanatory

Title/Paratext] "Publius Papinius Statius (c. A.D. [...]" H.W. Starr/J.R. Hendrickson, 1966.

"Publius Papinius Statius (c. A.D. 45-96) in his epic Thebais celebrated the unsuccessful legendary expedition of the Seven (Adrastus, Polynices, Tydeus, Amphiaraus, Hippomedon, Capaneus, and Parthenopaeus) against Thebes, the object of which was to restore Polynices to the throne that his brother Eteocles (son of Oedipus) had usurped. Gray's translation was made in 1736. [...]
    A copy of this passage [ll. 704-24] was sent to West in May 1736, shortly after the poem had been written. Gray had also made a translation of ll. 689-703, but it is no longer extant. Mason comments (i. 9 n.) that here Gray is imitating 'Dryden's spirited manner'."

The Complete Poems of Thomas Gray: English, Latin and Greek. Edited by Herbert W. Starr and J. R. Hendrickson. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1966, 229/230.

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E Lib: 6to Thebaidos

1 Then thus the king: 'Whoe'er the quoit can wield,
2 And furthest send its weight athwart the field,
3 Let him stand forth his brawny arm to boast.'
4 Swift at the word, from out the gazing host
5 Young Pterelas with strength unequal drew,
6 Labouring the disc, and to small distance threw.
7 The band around admire the mighty mass,
8 A slippery weight and formed of polished brass.
9 The love of honour bade two youths advance,
10 Achaians born, to try the glorious chance;
11 A third arose, of Acarnania he,
12 Of Pisa one and three from Ephyre.
13 Nor more; for now Nesimachus's son,
14 By acclamations roused, came towering on.
15 Another orb upheaved his strong right hand,
16 Then thus: 'Ye Argive flower, ye warlike band,
17 Who trust your arms shall raze the Tyrian towers,
18 And batter Cadmus' walls with stony showers,
19 Receive a worthier load; yon puny ball
20 Let youngsters toss.'
21 He said, and scornful flung the unheeded weight
22 Aloof: the champions trembling at the sight
23 Prevent disgrace, the palm despaired resign.
24 All but two youths the enormous orb decline:
25 These conscious shame witheld and pride of noble line.
26 As bright and huge the spacious circle lay,
27 With doubled light it beamed against the day:
28 So glittering shows the Thracian godhead's shield,
29 With such a gleam affrights Pangaea's field,
30 When blazing 'gainst the sun it shines from far,
31 And, clashed, rebellows with the din of war.

32 Phlegyas the long-expected play began,
33 Summoned his strength and called forth all the man.
34 All eyes were bent on his experienced hand,
35 For oft in Pisa's sports his native land
36 Admired that arm; oft on Alpheus' shore
37 The ponderous brass in exercise he bore:
38 Where flowed the widest stream he took his stand;
39 Sure flew the disc from his unerring hand,
40 Nor stopped till it had cut the further strand.
41 And now in dust the polished ball he rolled,
42 Then grasped its weight, elusive of his hold;
43 Now fitting to his grip and nervous arm,
44 Suspends the crowd with animation warm,
45 Nor tempts he yet the plain but, hurled upright,
46 Emits the mass, a prelude of his might.
47 Firmly he plants each knee and o'er his head,
48 Collecting all his force, the circle sped.
49 It towers to cut the clouds; now through the skies
50 Sings in its rapid way and strengthens as it flies;
51 Anon with slackened rage comes quivering down,
52 Heavy and huge, and cleaves the solid ground.

53 So from the astonished stars, her nightly train,
54 The sun's pale sister, drawn by magic strain,
55 Deserts precipitant her darkened sphere.
56 In vain the nations with officious fear
57 Their cymbals toss and sounding brass explore:
58 The AEmonian hag enjoys her dreadful hour,
59 And smiles malignant on the labouring power.

60 Third in the labours of the disc came on,
61 With sturdy step and slow, Hippomedon.
62 Artful and strong he poised the well-known weight,
63 By Phlegyas warned and fired by Mnestheus' fate,
64 That to avoid and this to emulate.
65 His vigorous arm he tried before he flung,
66 Braced all his nerves and every sinew strung;
67 Then, with a tempest's whirl and wary eye,
68 Pursued his cast and hurled the orb on high;
69 The orb on high tenacious of its course,
70 True to the mighty arm that gave it force,
71 Far overleaps all bound and joys to see
72 Its ancient lord secure of victory.
73 The theatre's green height and woody wall
74 Tremble ere it precipitates its fall;
75 The ponderous mass sinks in the cleaving ground,
76 While vales and woods and echoing hills rebound.
77 As when from Aetna's smoking summit broke,
78 The eyeless Cyclops heaved the craggy rock:
79 Where ocean frets beneath the dashing oar,
80 And parting surges round the vessel roar,
81 'Twas there he aimed the meditated harm,
82 And scarce Ulysses scaped his giant arm.
83 A tiger's pride the victor bore away,
84 With native spots and artful labour gay:
85 A shining border round the margin rolled,
86 And calmed the terrors of his claws in gold.

Works cited

  • The Complete Poems of Thomas Gray: English, Latin and Greek. Edited by Herbert W. Starr and J. R. Hendrickson. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1966.

Spelling has been modernized throughout, except in case of conscious archaisms. Contractions, italics and initial capitalization have been largely eliminated, except where of real import. Obvious errors have been silently corrected, punctuation has been supplied. The editor would like to express his gratitude to the library staff of the Göttingen State and University Library (SUB Göttingen) for their invaluable assistance.

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Editions in the Digital Library

  • 1775: The Poems of Mr. Gray. To which are prefixed Memoirs of his Life and Writings by W[illiam]. Mason. York, 1775.
  • 1782: The Poetical Works of Thomas Gray. Edinburg, 1782.
  • 1798: The Poetical Works of Thomas Gray. London, 1798.
  • 1799: The Poetical Works of Thomas Gray. London, [1799].
  • 1799: The Poetical Works of Thomas Gray, LL.B. London, 1799.
  • 1800: The Poetical Works of Thomas Gray, LL.B. London, 1800.
  • 1800: The Poems of Gray. A new edition. London, 1800.
  • 1805: The Poetical Works of Thomas Gray. London, 1805.
  • 1814: The Poetical Works of Thomas Gray. London, 1814.
  • 1814: The Works of Thomas Gray, Vol. I. Ed. Thomas James Mathias. London, 1814.
  • 1816: The Works of Thomas Gray, Vol. I. Ed. John Mitford. London, 1816.
  • 1826: The Poetical Works of Thomas Gray. London, 1826.
  • 1836: The Works of Thomas Gray, Volume I. Ed. John Mitford. London, 1836.
  • 1853: The Correspondence of Thomas Gray and William Mason. Ed. John Mitford. London, 1853.