Note 36 — Book V. Summary Review of the Preceding Books
Reading edition
The key phrases are Clark’s (10), repeated by Poole (90). The grave accent in the last indicates that at this point there is often a secondary, lighter stress.
Tardus is called ecclesiasticus in a thirteenth-century work quoted by Thurot, 482.
A fourth form, trispondiacus (Vacandard, 72, 89), is regarded by Croll (2) as a modification of velox.
For correctness of cadence as a mark of authenticity see the passage from Pierre de Blois quoted by Langlois, NE 34, part 2: 26.
The best English summary of the technic of cursus is Poole, Chapter IV, which also reviews Valois, Havet, W. Meyer, and Clark. The best indication of the significance of cursus is Croll; for though this essay is directed to a later period, it reviews medieval habit and through English examples exhibits the influence of cursus in the development of vernacular prose rhythm.