Am I correct in saying that the rhyme scheme aaabab for the Burns Stanza consists of: tetrameter (8 syllables) for the a lines, and dimeter (four syllables) for the b lines. I just want to make sure!

For the poem "To a Mouse" has anybody found any symbols?

Thank you!

Sunny, go here:

[216.239.63.104] />

[eir.library.utoronto.ca] />

Les

Wee, sleeket, cowrin, tim'rous beastie,
Oh, what a panic's in thy breastie!
Thou need na start awa sae hasty
Wi' bickerin brattle!
I wad be laith to rin an' chase thee
Wi' murd'ring pattle!


It is better to think of four 'feet' instead of eight syllables. Note that there are nine and/or five (count 'em) syllables in the stanzas that use feminine endings (one or more trailing syllables at the end of a line).

So, iambic tetrameter for the 'a' lines and iambic dimeter for the 'b' ones. One can also vary (make substitutions) this particular meter to use anapests or dactyls and still keep the same number of feet, even though the syllable count will vary. See accentual meter, syllabic meter and accentual/syllabic meter for comparisons in usage.

[www.danagioia.net]

Thank you!