Laurel · Poems by form and metre

Iambic hexameter

Six iambs to the line, twelve syllables: the alexandrine, which closes the Spenserian stanza and is the standard line of French verse. Below, what the metre is and how to recognise it, then every poem on Laurel measured as iambic hexameter, with how closely each keeps it.

What iambic hexameter is

Six beats to the line, light then heavy: da-DUM six times, twelve syllables. Called the alexandrine; it is the standard line of French verse and in English it closes the Spenserian stanza.

da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM

that LIKE a WOUN-ded SNAKE, drags ITS slow LENGTH a-LONG
Pope, An Essay on Criticism; the beats in capitals

How to tell

Twelve syllables with a pause in the middle, after the sixth. In English it usually appears one line at a time, at the end of a stanza, rather than as the whole poem.

Paste a poem of your own and Laurel will say whether it is in iambic hexameter, stanza by stanza. How to scan a line.

307 poems on Laurel in iambic hexameter

  1. Sonnet LXXXVII William Shakespeare, The Sonnets · 100%
  2. Sonnet XX William Shakespeare, The Sonnets · 98%
  3. Fragment: "Igniculus Desiderii" Percy Bysshe Shelley, Ode to the West Wind, and Other Poems · 100%
  4. Queries to My Seventieth Year Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass · 95%
  5. To the Man-of-War-Bird Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass · 92%
  6. Orange Buds by Mail from Florida Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass · 92%
  7. An Ended Day Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass · 86%
  8. Broadway Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass · 84%
  9. Death of General Grant Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass · 83%
  10. While Not the Past Forgetting Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass · 82%
  11. Continuities Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass · 69%
  12. Mowing Robert Frost, A Boy's Will · 90%
  13. The Valley's Singing Day Robert Frost, New Hampshire · 82%
  14. Transcriber Changes Robert Frost, Mountain Interval · 73%
  15. Morning at the Window T. S. Eliot, Prufrock and Other Observations · 91%
  16. Berket and the Stars William Carlos Williams, Sour Grapes · 70%
  17. The Three Poets Ezra Pound, Lustra · 93%
  18. South-Folk in Cold Country Ezra Pound, Lustra · 84%
  19. The Magi W. B. Yeats, Responsibilities · 95%
  20. A Cradle Song W. B. Yeats, The Wind Among the Reeds · 92%
  21. Hanrahan Speaks to the Lovers of His Songs in Coming Days W. B. Yeats, The Wind Among the Reeds · 92%
  22. Down by the Salley Gardens W. B. Yeats, Poems · 91%
  23. The Cold Heaven W. B. Yeats, Responsibilities · 91%
  24. Paudeen W. B. Yeats, Responsibilities · 89%
  25. Aedh Tells of a Valley Full of Lovers W. B. Yeats, The Wind Among the Reeds · 87%
  26. The Lake Isle of Innisfree W. B. Yeats, Poems · 80%
  27. Michael Robartes Bids His Beloved Be at Peace W. B. Yeats, The Wind Among the Reeds · 79%
  28. The Travail of Passion W. B. Yeats, The Wind Among the Reeds · 77%
  29. Her Courage W. B. Yeats, The Wild Swans at Coole
  30. On a Picture of a Black Centaur by Edmond Dulac W. B. Yeats, The Tower
  31. Poem VII W. B. Yeats, The Tower
  32. She Turns the Dolls' Faces to the Wall W. B. Yeats, The Wild Swans at Coole
  33. Under Saturn W. B. Yeats, Michael Robartes and the Dancer
  34. The Ballad of Oriana Alfred Tennyson, The Early Poems · 97%
  35. Maud Part II VI Alfred Tennyson, Maud, and Other Poems · 89%
  36. Kirk and State Excisemen Robert Burns, Poems and Songs · 95%
  37. The Posie Robert Burns, Poems and Songs · 90%
  38. The Winter It Is Past Robert Burns, Poems and Songs · 88%
  39. There Was a Bonie Lass Robert Burns, Poems and Songs · 88%
  40. What Would I Give? Christina Rossetti, Goblin Market and Other Poems · 86%
  41. Peace Gerard Manley Hopkins, Poems · 100%
  42. Caged Skylark Gerard Manley Hopkins, Poems · 97%
  43. The Song of the Banjo Rudyard Kipling, Verses 1889–1896 · 96%
  44. Afterwards Thomas Hardy, Moments of Vision and Miscellaneous Verses
  45. Honeymoon Time at an Inn Thomas Hardy, Moments of Vision and Miscellaneous Verses
  46. On Sturminster Foot-Bridge (Onomatopoeic) Thomas Hardy, Moments of Vision and Miscellaneous Verses
  47. The Photograph Thomas Hardy, Moments of Vision and Miscellaneous Verses
  48. My Secret Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, A Psalm of Life, and Other Poems
  49. Exposure II Wilfred Owen, Poems · 94%
  50. Exposure I Wilfred Owen, Poems · 84%
  51. Strafe Ivor Gurney, Severn and Somme · 100%
  52. Requiem Ivor Gurney, Severn and Somme · 97%
  53. The Strong Thing Ivor Gurney, Severn and Somme · 97%
  54. To an Unknown Lady Ivor Gurney, Severn and Somme · 87%
  55. Pirate Story Robert Louis Stevenson, A Child's Garden of Verses · 72%
  56. The West Wind John Masefield, Salt-Water Ballads · 88%
  57. Trade Winds John Masefield, Salt-Water Ballads · 85%
  58. An Old Song Re-Sung John Masefield, The Story of a Round-House, and Other Poems
  59. The West Wind John Masefield, The Story of a Round-House, and Other Poems
  60. The Mocking Fairy Walter de la Mare, Peacock Pie · 93%
  61. The Old Stone House Walter de la Mare, Peacock Pie · 84%
  62. Dedication Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Faust, Part One
  63. The New Nunnery. The People Alexander Pushkin, Boris Godunov
  64. Indifference Edna St. Vincent Millay, Renascence and Other Poems · 96%
  65. Indifference Edna St. Vincent Millay, Poems
  66. The Singing-Woman from the Wood’s Edge Edna St. Vincent Millay, Poems
  67. O Word I Love to Sing Claude McKay, Harlem Shadows · 96%
  68. Emblems of Conduct Hart Crane, White Buildings · 81%
  69. To a Steam Roller Marianne Moore, Poems · 71%
  70. A Dialogue. Lute and Voice Richard Lovelace, Lucasta · 97%
  71. Female Glory Richard Lovelace, Lucasta · 94%
  72. Clinton Thomas Chatterton, The Rowley Poems · 100%
  73. Herehaulde Thomas Chatterton, The Rowley Poems · 100%
  74. 730. Charon and Philomel; a Dialogue Sung Robert Herrick, Hesperides · 86%
  75. Sonnet 8 Philip Sidney, Astrophel and Stella · 100%
  76. Song 3 Philip Sidney, Astrophel and Stella · 99%
  77. Sonnet 6 Philip Sidney, Astrophel and Stella · 96%
  78. Sonnet 75 Philip Sidney, Astrophel and Stella · 96%
  79. Sonnet 101 Philip Sidney, Astrophel and Stella · 96%
  80. Song 5 Philip Sidney, Astrophel and Stella · 95%
  81. Sonnet 1 Philip Sidney, Astrophel and Stella · 95%
  82. Sonnet 76 Philip Sidney, Astrophel and Stella · 92%
  83. Silvivs, Halcivs, Melanthvs Michael Drayton, Minor Poems · 96%
  84. Amour 10 Michael Drayton, Minor Poems
  85. Amour 17 Michael Drayton, Minor Poems
  86. Amour 27 Michael Drayton, Minor Poems
  87. Amour 32 Michael Drayton, Minor Poems
  88. The Dug-Out Siegfried Sassoon, The War Poems · 94%
  89. Twelve Months After Siegfried Sassoon, Counter-Attack and Other Poems · 92%
  90. Twelve Months After Siegfried Sassoon, The War Poems · 92%
  91. Wirers Siegfried Sassoon, Counter-Attack and Other Poems · 88%
  92. Wirers Siegfried Sassoon, The War Poems · 88%
  93. The Poet in the Nursery Robert Graves, Fairies and Fusiliers · 91%
  94. The Busy Heart Rupert Brooke, 1914 and Other Poems · 82%
  95. The Phantom Curate. A Fable W. S. Gilbert, The Bab Ballads · 92%
  96. The Pantomime “Super” to His Mask W. S. Gilbert, The Bab Ballads · 90%
  97. Elegy D. H. Lawrence, Amores · 96%
  98. Malade D. H. Lawrence, Amores · 90%
  99. Troth with the Dead D. H. Lawrence, Amores · 88%
  100. Brother and Sister D. H. Lawrence, Amores · 87%
  101. Scent of Irises D. H. Lawrence, Amores · 86%
  102. A Baby Running Barefoot D. H. Lawrence, Amores · 84%
  103. On a Dead Child Robert Bridges, The Growth of Love, and Other Poems · 86%
  104. The Voice of Nature Robert Bridges, The Growth of Love, and Other Poems · 80%
  105. Ode Robert Bridges, The Growth of Love, and Other Poems · 79%
  106. Scazons Robert Bridges, The Growth of Love, and Other Poems · 77%
  107. Seasons Robert Bridges, The Growth of Love, and Other Poems · 76%
  108. A Passer-By Robert Bridges, The Growth of Love, and Other Poems · 74%
  109. R. W. D Robert Bridges, The Growth of Love, and Other Poems
  110. Seraphita Ernest Dowson, The Poems of Ernest Dowson · 94%
  111. Epigram Ernest Dowson, The Poems of Ernest Dowson · 93%
  112. Venite Descendamus Ernest Dowson, The Poems of Ernest Dowson · 84%
  113. Non Sum Qualis Eram Bonae Sub Regno Cynarae Ernest Dowson, The Poems of Ernest Dowson · 78%
  114. Russian Sonia Edgar Lee Masters, Spoon River Anthology · 92%
  115. Joseph Dixon Edgar Lee Masters, Spoon River Anthology · 85%
  116. Wallace Ferguson Edgar Lee Masters, Spoon River Anthology · 82%
  117. Elliott Hawkins Edgar Lee Masters, Spoon River Anthology · 79%
  118. Webster Ford Edgar Lee Masters, Spoon River Anthology · 76%
  119. The Perfect Marriage Vachel Lindsay, The Congo and Other Poems · 87%
  120. I Shall Not Care Sara Teasdale, Love Songs · 100%
  121. If Death Is Kind Sara Teasdale, Flame and Shadow · 100%
  122. The Lamp Sara Teasdale, Love Songs · 100%
  123. Spring Torrents Sara Teasdale, Flame and Shadow · 97%
  124. The Long Hill Sara Teasdale, Flame and Shadow · 93%
  125. "Let It Be Forgotten" Sara Teasdale, Flame and Shadow
  126. The Gods Are Dead W. E. Henley, Poems · 94%
  127. To D. H W. E. Henley, Poems · 91%
  128. A Letter from a Girl to Her Own Old Age Alice Meynell, Poems · 94%
  129. Jour Des Morts (Cimetière Montparnasse) Charlotte Mew, The Farmer's Bride · 97%
  130. The Red Lacquer Music-Stand Amy Lowell, Men, Women and Ghosts
  131. Child and Flower Louise Imogen Guiney, Songs at the Start · 100%
  132. From Generation to Generation Henry John Newbolt, Poems: New and Old · 100%
  133. The Marriage of the Cid's Daughters XCIV Anonymous, The Lay of the Cid · 100%
  134. Dialogue Between the Poet and His Eyes (Macgregor) Petrarch, The Sonnets, Triumphs and Other Poems · 99%
  135. The Lover's Parting John Addington Symonds, Wine, Women and Song · 97%
  136. Prayer to the Father of Heauen John Skelton, Colyn Cloute, and Other Poems · 97%
  137. At One George William Russell, The Divine Vision and Other Poems · 97%
  138. To the Holy Gooste John Skelton, Colyn Cloute, and Other Poems · 97%
  139. Dr. Helsham's Answer Jonathan Swift, Cadenus and Vanessa, and Other Poems · 96%
  140. Fairy Days William Makepeace Thackeray, Ballads · 96%
  141. Illness Various, A Hundred and Seventy Chinese Poems · 95%
  142. On Mr. Sargent's Dramatic Poem, the Mine Anna Seward, Original Sonnets on Various Subjects · 95%
  143. A Farewell George William Russell, The Divine Vision and Other Poems · 94%
  144. An Ancient Cornish Song Robert Bell, Ancient Poems, Ballads and Songs of the Peasantry of England · 93%
  145. Hawke Henry John Newbolt, Poems: New and Old · 93%
  146. Going to the Mountains with a Little Dancing Girl, Aged Fifteen Various, A Hundred and Seventy Chinese Poems · 93%
  147. Poeta Skelton John Skelton, Colyn Cloute, and Other Poems · 93%
  148. To the Seconde Parson John Skelton, Colyn Cloute, and Other Poems · 92%
  149. An Epic Poem, in Twenty Books VI William Makepeace Thackeray, Ballads · 92%
  150. Only Robert Bell, Ancient Poems, Ballads and Songs of the Peasantry of England · 92%
  151. Bonnie Annie Arthur Quiller-Couch, The Oxford Book of Ballads · 92%
  152. The Child of Destiny George William Russell, The Divine Vision and Other Poems · 92%
  153. Skelton Poeta John Skelton, Colyn Cloute, and Other Poems · 92%
  154. Dialogue of the Poet with His Heart Petrarch, The Sonnets, Triumphs and Other Poems · 91%
  155. The Affront of Corpes CXXVIII Anonymous, The Lay of the Cid · 90%
  156. Poems of the Dark Days Eleanor Hull, The Poem-Book of the Gael · 90%
  157. Lord Delaware (Traditional.) Robert Bell, Ancient Poems, Ballads and Songs of the Peasantry of England · 89%
  158. The Banishment of the Cid LVI Anonymous, The Lay of the Cid · 89%
  159. A Call of the Sidhe George William Russell, The Divine Vision and Other Poems · 89%
  160. Poem XVIII Edmund Clarence Stedman, The Blameless Prince, and Other Poems · 88%
  161. Commemoration Henry John Newbolt, Poems: New and Old · 88%
  162. The Lamentable Ballad of the Foundling of Shoreditch William Makepeace Thackeray, Ballads · 88%
  163. The Banishment of the Cid XXXVIII Anonymous, The Lay of the Cid · 88%
  164. To His Lady Garcilaso de la Vega, The Works of Garcilasso de la Vega · 88%
  165. The Masonic Hymn Robert Bell, Ancient Poems, Ballads and Songs of the Peasantry of England · 88%
  166. He Fell Among Thieves Henry John Newbolt, Poems: New and Old · 87%
  167. The Wolfe New Ballad of Jane Roney and Mary Brown William Makepeace Thackeray, Ballads · 87%
  168. The Scholar in the Narrow Street Various, A Hundred and Seventy Chinese Poems · 86%
  169. Ballad of the Western Island in the North Country Various, A Hundred and Seventy Chinese Poems · 86%
  170. The Marriage of the Cid's Daughters XCVII Anonymous, The Lay of the Cid · 85%
  171. Civilization Various, A Hundred and Seventy Chinese Poems · 85%
  172. Meeting in the Road Various, A Hundred and Seventy Chinese Poems · 84%
  173. A Gentle Wind Various, A Hundred and Seventy Chinese Poems · 84%
  174. The Affront of Corpes CXXV Anonymous, The Lay of the Cid · 84%
  175. Continuation of Various, A Hundred and Seventy Chinese Poems · 83%
  176. The Curtain of the Wedding Bed Various, A Hundred and Seventy Chinese Poems · 83%
  177. The Marriage of the Cid's Daughters LXXVI Anonymous, The Lay of the Cid · 82%
  178. Craven (Mobile Bay, 1864) Henry John Newbolt, Poems: New and Old · 82%
  179. The Guides at Cabul Henry John Newbolt, Poems: New and Old · 82%
  180. Compared with the Ashmole Copy Thomas Percy, Reliques of Ancient English Poetry, Volume I · 82%
  181. Madly Singing in the Mountains Various, A Hundred and Seventy Chinese Poems · 81%
  182. The Desecration of the Han Tombs Various, A Hundred and Seventy Chinese Poems · 81%
  183. The Cattle-Shed Eleanor Hull, The Poem-Book of the Gael · 81%
  184. The Chinese Methuselah Various, A Hundred and Seventy Chinese Poems · 78%
  185. The Affront of Corpes CXXIII Anonymous, The Lay of the Cid · 77%
  186. The Banishment of the Cid LI Anonymous, The Lay of the Cid · 75%
  187. Out of Frenshe into Latyn John Skelton, Colyn Cloute, and Other Poems · 75%
  188. A House John Collings Squire, Poems: First Series
  189. Art, the Herald II Alfred Noyes, Collected Poems, Volume One
  190. Book III: Metre IX Boethius, The Consolation of Philosophy
  191. Book III: Metre VI Boethius, The Consolation of Philosophy
  192. Book IV: Metre V Boethius, The Consolation of Philosophy
  193. Book IV: Metre VII Boethius, The Consolation of Philosophy
  194. Book V: Metre I Boethius, The Consolation of Philosophy
  195. Buffalo Bill Carl Sandburg, Cornhuskers
  196. Casend Hill Radclyffe Hall, Songs of Three Counties, and Other Poems
  197. Changeless Susan Coolidge, A Few More Verses
  198. Ciacco dell'Anguillaia: O gem so soft and rare, O dainty little fay Various, An Anthology of Italian Poems (Selections)
  199. Cielo dal Camo: O lovely, fragrant rose, born on a summer's day Various, An Anthology of Italian Poems (Selections)
  200. Dialogue of the Poet with His Heart (Macgregor) Petrarch, The Sonnets, Triumphs and Other Poems
  201. Evening Harmony Charles Baudelaire, The Flowers of Evil
  202. Federigo II: Since, love, 'tis thy desire that I should find a tune Various, An Anthology of Italian Poems (Selections)
  203. Gratitude Henry Van Dyke, The Poems of Henry Van Dyke
  204. Hope Friedrich Schiller, The Poems of Schiller: Third Period
  205. Jane: "Why, John, What a Litter Here! You've Thrown Things All Around!" Will Carleton, Farm Ballads
  206. La Chevelure Charles Baudelaire, The Flowers of Evil
  207. Medea: Act I Lucius Annaeus Seneca, The Tragedies of Seneca
  208. Medea: Act II Lucius Annaeus Seneca, The Tragedies of Seneca
  209. Medea: Act III Lucius Annaeus Seneca, The Tragedies of Seneca
  210. Medea: Act IV Lucius Annaeus Seneca, The Tragedies of Seneca
  211. Medea: Act V Lucius Annaeus Seneca, The Tragedies of Seneca
  212. Moonlit Apples John Drinkwater, Poems, 1908-1919
  213. Nocturne: In Provence Bliss Carman, More Songs from Vagabondia
  214. Old Heltberg Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, Poems and Songs
  215. On a Wife's Death Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, Poems and Songs
  216. On the Sixth Centenary of Dante Giosuè Carducci, Poems of Giosuè Carducci
  217. Paradise Lost John Collings Squire, Poems: First Series
  218. Poem VII Prudentius, The Hymns of Prudentius
  219. Smoke George MacDonald, A Microcosm in Terza Rima, and Other Poems
  220. Tale II: How Hagen Slew the Griffin Anonymous, Kudrun
  221. Tale III: How Hagen Sailed to His Home Anonymous, Kudrun
  222. Tale III: The Jewish King, Persecutor of the Christians Rumi, The Mesnevi, Book the First
  223. Tale IV: Another Jewish King, Persecutor of Christians Rumi, The Mesnevi, Book the First
  224. Tale IV: How Hagen Was Met by His Father and Mother Anonymous, Kudrun
  225. Tale IX: The Poor Scenite Arab and his Wife Rumi, The Mesnevi, Book the First
  226. Tale V: How Wâ-te Was Sent to Ireland as a Suitor Anonymous, Kudrun
  227. Tale V: The Lion and the Beasts Rumi, The Mesnevi, Book the First
  228. Tale VI: How Sweetly Horant Sang Anonymous, Kudrun
  229. Tale VI: The Greater (Spiritual) Warfare Rumi, The Mesnevi, Book the First
  230. Tale VII: How the Maidens Came to See the Ship, and Were Carried to Hettel’s Kingdom Anonymous, Kudrun
  231. Tale VIII: How Hagen Followed His Daughter Anonymous, Kudrun
  232. Tale VIII: The Harper Rumi, The Mesnevi, Book the First
  233. Tale X: How Hartmut Sent to Woo Gudrun Anonymous, Kudrun
  234. Tale X: Patience and Perseverance under a Teacher Rumi, The Mesnevi, Book the First
  235. Tale XI: How Herwic Sent to Seek Gudrun and How Hartmut Came Himself Anonymous, Kudrun
  236. Tale XI: The Lion’s Hunt, in Company Rumi, The Mesnevi, Book the First
  237. Tale XII: How Herwic Made War on Hettel, and How Gudrun Was Betrothed to Him Anonymous, Kudrun
  238. Tale XII: Joseph and the Mirror Rumi, The Mesnevi, Book the First
  239. Tale XIII: How Siegfried Made War Against Herwic Anonymous, Kudrun
  240. Tale XIII: The Prophet’s First Amanuensis Rumi, The Mesnevi, Book the First
  241. Tale XIV: How Hettel Sent Tidings from Herwic’s Land Anonymous, Kudrun
  242. Tale XIV: The Chinese and Roman Artists Rumi, The Mesnevi, Book the First
  243. Tale XV: Zeyd’s Inspiration Rumi, The Mesnevi, Book the First
  244. The Bluebell of Scotland Mary E. Burt, Poems Every Child Should Know
  245. The Impatient Moon Sándor Petőfi, Translations from Alexander Petofi, the Magyar Poet
  246. The Life of John Heritage John Drinkwater, Poems, 1908-1919
  247. The Lily of Malud John Collings Squire, Poems: First Series
  248. To the Earth Radclyffe Hall, Songs of Three Counties, and Other Poems
  249. Willie Winkie Mary E. Burt, Poems Every Child Should Know
  250. Wings of a Dove I Henry Van Dyke, The Poems of Henry Van Dyke
  251. Wings of a Dove II Henry Van Dyke, The Poems of Henry Van Dyke

The first 251 of 307 poems, best-known poets first. The rest are reachable through their poets.

Each poem's metre was measured from its own words by the method described here; the figure beside a poem is the share of its stressed syllables that fall on the beat. Forms are named from the rhyme scheme and line count together.