Kitap 9
2.104
The choreus may also be preceded by a pyrrhic, as in omnes prope cives virtute, gloria, digitiate superabat. pro Cael. xiv. 34. He surpassed almost all other citizens in virtue, glory and honour. The dactyl also may come at the close, unless indeed it be held that, when it forms the final foot, it is transformed into a cretic: e.g. muliercula nixus in litore. Verr. v. xxxiii. 86. Leaning on a worthless woman on the shore. The effect will be good if it is preceded by a cretic or an iambus, but unsatisfactory if it is preceded by a spondee, and worse still if by a choreus. The amphibrachys may close the cadence, as in Q. Ligarium in Africa fuisse, pro Lig. i. 1. although in that case some will prefer to call it a bacchius. The trochee It must be remembered that for Quintilian a trochee is the same as a tribrach (u u u). See § 82. is one of the less good endings, if any final syllable is to be regarded as short, as it undoubtedly must be. Otherwise how can we end with the dichoreus, so dear to many orators? Of course, if it be insisted that the final syllable is long, the trochee becomes an anapaest.
