Fourth Paeon (2521), or by an anapaestic word which is itself preceded by a final short syllable; (d.
Accordingly, the dactyl is of the first class, the paeon of the last, the iambic of the second.
For the iambic is most frequent in those orations which are composed in a humble and lowly style; but the paeon is suited to a more dignified style; and the dactyl to both.
But the paeon is that foot which, of all others, is least adapted to verse, on which account oratory admits it the more willingly.
Wherefore, whoever said that that paeon was more suitable in which the last syllable was long, made a great mistake; since it has nothing to do with the matter whether the last syllable is long or not.
From distant Amydon Pyraecmes brought The Paeon archers from broad Axius' banks; Axius, the brightest stream on earth that flows.
From far Paeonia's fertile fields I come, The leader of the long-spear'd Paeon host.
These four varieties are sometimes called the first, second, third, and fourth paeon respectively.
Ephorus, on the other hand, declares for the paeon and the dactyl; and rejects the spondee and the trochee (long short).
