A Modest Proposal (Meter Discussion)

[milo]

I looked at the first 10-15 examples in common meter I came across (Wordsworth, Coleridge, Emily Dickinson, - everything Wikipedia refers to and some more) and not a single one sticks to 8686. Not even the lyrics to Gilligan's Island.

"Because I could not stop for Death" is the strictest - Rime of the Ancient Mariner goes all over the shop.

Which examples were you thinking of Milo?

8-6-6-8-6 is not common meter it is syllable count.  Either way, Wikipedia will do fine I guess:

1. Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
   That saved a wretch like me!
   I once was lost, but now am found;
   Was blind, but now I see.
   
   
2. ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
   And grace my fears relieved;
   How precious did that grace appear
   The hour I first believed.
   
   
3. Through many dangers, toils and snares,
   I have already come;
   ’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
   And grace will lead me home.
   
   
4. The Lord has promised good to me,
   His Word my hope secures;
   He will my Shield and Portion be,
   As long as life endures.
   
   
5. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
   And mortal life shall cease,
   I shall possess, within the veil,
   A life of joy and peace.
   
   
6. The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
   The sun forbear to shine;
   But God, who called me here below,
   Will be forever mine.
   
   
7. When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
   Bright shining as the sun,
   We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
   Than when we’d first begun.
   
   

perfect common meter

Wordsworth's LUCY

http://www.poetry-archive.com/w/lucy.html

(warning, very long)  in perfect common meter

etc., etc.

Post a link to some of those you found that do not stick to common meter perhaps?

BTW - Gilligan's island is common meter with anapaestic subs - it is still 4-3-4-3