Rhythmi

In Classical Greek theory, ‘rhythm’ was an entity different, and almost opposed, to what was then called ‘metre’. The latter was dependent on what was understood to be the inherent rhythm of the words, but rhythmos proper was an external pattern, such as might be taken over from an instrumental tune. Apparently quoting from some source ultimately dependent on Aristoxenus, Bede* (De arte metrica, XXIV) says that although rhythm is similar to metre, the verbal proportions of a rhythmic composition are not those of metre, but ordered according to the number of syllables as perceived by the ear, as in the songs of vernacular poets (sed numero syllabarum, ad judicium aurium examinata, ut sunt...