Question

Determine the correct number of feet per line in each of the excerpts.

Answer 1

Tell me not, in mournful numbers

(Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “A Psalm of Life”)- Tetrameter (four feet)

An iamb is an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed. And when there are four iambs in a line, it is called iambic tetrameter.  

That I may rise and stand, o’er throw me, and bend

(John Donne, Holy Sonnet 14)- pentameter (five feet)

An iambic pentameter is a form of a metrical line in which each line contains five unstressed syllables followed by five stressed syllables. They are usually arranged in an alternating pattern.

I stand, and look,

And stoop, and drink

(Thomas Hardy, “The Robin”)- diameter (two feet)

An iambic diameter is a form of metrical line in which the line contains two iambic feet.  

Nor any other wold like Cotswold euer sped,

So faire and rich a Vale by fortuning to wed.

(Michael Drayton, Poly-Olbion: “The Fourteenth Song”)- trimeter (three feet)

An iambic trimeter is a form of metrical line in which the line contains three iambic feet.

Give crowns and pounds and guineas

But not your heart away;

(A. E. Housman, “A Shropshire Lad” XIII)-hexameter (six feet)

An iambic hexameter is a form of metrical line in which the line contains six iambic feet.  

Answer 2

Number of feet per line:

1. Tell me not, in mournful numbers (Henry Wadworth Longfellow, "A Psalm of Life): Tetrameter (four feet).
2. That I may rise and stand, o'er throw me, and bend (John Donne, Holy Sonnet 14): Pentameter (five feet).
3. I stand, and loor, And stoop, and drink (Thomas Hardy, "The Robin"): Diameter (two feet).
4. Nor any other wold like Cotswold euer sped, So faire and rich a Vale by fortuning to wed. (Michael Drayton, Poly-Olbion: "The Fourteenth Song"): Trimeter (three feet).
5. Give crowns and pounds and guineas But not your heart away; (A.E. Housman, "A Shropshire Lad" XIII): Hexameter (six feet).