Vedic Metre in its Historical Development c15.123

c15.123

252. Upon a general view of the developement of the external structure of the verse it may be said that the archaic period is characterized by irregularity and variety, the strophic period by regularity and variety: and that the normal and cretic periods are marked by regularity only. From the Western point of view the metrical history of the earlier periods possesses an interest which is wanting later: for the varied forms of the stanza have their counterparts in modern metres, whilst the developement of the internal structure appears artificial and even pedantic. It is therefore perhaps not too much to claim a more human interest for the earlier poetry : but on the other hand it may be said that the metrical powers of the Vedic poets were not lessened in the later periods, though they were diverted into directions which appeal less readily to modern sympathies.