6

I ran into this hexameter verse by Vergilius when researching for an answer to another question:

et vera incessu patuit dea. Ille ubi matrem
(Aeneis I.405)

The only way I can scan that verse is to leave a hiatus between dea and ille. Is this scansion correct? Is elision still possible across punctuation, or should it always be omitted?

Improve this question

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
3

It's a hiatus because it's located at the principle caesura:

et vera | inces|su patu|it dea. || Ille ubi | matrem

In fact, Lodge specifically references this line in the section on hiatus, as I'm sure do a few others.

Note that hiatus isn't impossible anywhere, but it's common specifically here. The grammars will typically say "most" or "usually", and I'm sure you can find exceptions.

Improve this answer
2
  • Thank you! And welcome back to the site; I haven't seen you for a while.
    – Joonas Ilmavirta ♦
    Commented Sep 20, 2016 at 9:24
  • 1
    This isn't at a normal caesura point, which may come after IIa, IIIa, or IVa, but after IVb2. I usually interpret this specific instance as Vergilius saying rather forcefully that "the current sentence ends right here".
    – blagae
    Commented Feb 27, 2017 at 13:34

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.