Alcaic

The Greek Alcaic stanza is scanned:

˘ - | - ˘ | - ˘ - | - ˘ ˘ | - ˘ | -
˘ - | - ˘ | - ˘ - | - ˘ ˘ | - ˘ | -
˘ - | - ˘ | - ˘ - | - ˘ | - ˘ -
- ˘ ˘ | - ˘ ˘ | - ˘ | - ˘ - .

Variations on the traditional Alcaic include the use of a long initial syllable and of a spondee (— —) in the first complete foot of the first three lines. 

Source

Encyclopedia Brittanica

Examples

Named for and perhaps invented by Alcaeus, a poet of the late 7th and early 6th centuries bc, the alcaic became an important Latin verse form, especially in the Odes of Horace.

Alcaics were adapted to English and French verse during the Renaissance and later appeared in works such as “Milton” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.

Works that use this form

• Alcaic

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