It is unhappy in the construction of English verse, that it excludes the bulk of polysyllables, though the most sounding words in our language; for upon examination it will be found, that very few of them are composed of such alternation of long and short syllables as to correspond to either of the arrangements mentioned. English verse accordingly is almost totally reduced to dissyllables and monosyllables. _Magnanimity_ is a sounding word totally excluded. _Impetuosity_ is still a finer word by the resemblance of the sound and sense; and yet a negative is put upon it, as well as upon numberless words of the same kind. Polysyllables composed of syllables long and short alternately, make a good figure in verse; for example, _observance_, _opponent_, _ostensive_, _pindaric_, _productive_, _prolific_, and such others of three syllables. _Imitation_, _imperfection_, _misdemeanour_, _mitigation_, _moderation_, _observator_, _ornamental_, _regulator_, and others similar of four syllables, beginning with two short syllables, the third long, and the fourth short, may find a place in a line commencing with a Trochæus. I know not if there be any of five syllables. One I know of six, _viz._ _misinterpretation_. But words so composed are not frequent in our language. One would not imagine without trial, how uncouth false quantity appears in verse; not less than a provincial tone or idiom. The article _the_ is one of the few monosyllables that is invariably short. See how harsh it makes a line where it must be pronounced long: Thĭs nȳmph, tŏ thē dĕstrūctiŏn ōf mănkīnd, Again: Th’ ădvēnt’rŏus bārŏn thē brĭght lōcks ădmīr’d. Let the article be pronounced short, and it reduces the melody almost to nothing. Better so however than a false quantity. In the following examples we perceive the same defect. And old impertinence || expel by new. With varying vanities || from ev’ry part. Love in these labyrinths || his slaves detains. New stratagems || the radiant lock to gain. Her eyes half-languishing || half-drown’d in tears. Roar’d for the handkerchief || that caus’d his pain. Passions like elements || though born to fight.