Adonic

Adonic, a kind of very short verse, used in Greek and Latin poetry. It consists of only two feet, the first of which is a dactyl, and the second a spondee or a trochee, as in rara juventus.

Its name may come from Adonis, beloved of Venus, because this kind of verse was often used in laments or mournful remembrances celebrated in honor of Adonis. Normally it is placed at the end of each stanza of Sapphic verse, as in this one:

"Scandit aratas vitiosa naves Cura, nec turmas equitum relinquit, Ocyor cervis et agente nimbos Ocyor euro." (Horace)

Aristophanes in his comedies also mixed it with anapestic verses.

See also

• Adonies
• Adoniennes
• Anapeste
• Sapphic