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623. Trochaic verses, containing in regular prescribed positions irrational measures or irrational feet (cf. § 609. e), are called Logaœdic. The principal logaœdic forms are—

  1. Logaœdic Tetrapody (four feet): GLYCONIC.
  2. Logaœdic Tripody (three feet): PHERECRATIC (often treated as a syncopated Tetrapody Catalectic).
  3. Logaœdic Dipody (two feet): this may be regarded as a short Pherecratic.

Note.--This mixture of irrational measures gives an effect approaching that of prose: hence the name Logaœdic (λόγος, ἀοιδή). These measures originated in the Greek lyric poetry, and were adopted by the Romans. All the Roman lyric metres not belonging to the regular iambic, trochaic, dactylic, or Ionic systems, were constructed on the basis of the three forms given above: viz., Logaœdic systems consisting respectively of four, three, and two feet. The so-called Logaœdic Pentapody consists of five feet but is to be regarded as composed of two of the others.

Ginn and Company, 1903.

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