109 
 
 
 
 
A NOTE ON THE ALEXANDRINE 
 
 
UE to the harmonious genius of ever-glorious Queen 
Alexandra as (every schoolboy knows it) the Alex-
andrine is, it may seem mere impertinence on my part to 
write in that measure, and worse to introduce innovations.  
This I cannot help. 
The Classical Alexandrine was really two lines of six 
syllables, for the caesure was supposed to fall invariably at 
the end of the third foot.  Victor Hugo claimed to have 
destroyed ce grand niasis d’Alexandria, but he never did 
much good. 
Verlaine appears to have been the first who really appreci-
ated the possibilities of the measure.  In England nobody has 
hitherto attempted it except Browning, who never suspected 
that music could enter into aught but short lyrics. 
 
1. The Classical: 
 
Ay, to this end, indeed was marriage first ordained, 
And to this end to-day is by the Church sustained. 
 
2. Idem, marked by a rime : 
 
Listen ;  in all good faith, I gladly grant you much, 
Not prone to scoff, and scathe the scutcheon with a smutch. 
 
D