I find the following poem to be a charming instruction from a father to a son.  In my Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge the notes say “The metrical lesson was begun for Hartely Coleridge in 1806 and, afterwards, finished or adapted for use of his brother Derwent”.  The text indicates the long and short feet with symbols as well as using the names of the feet themselves.  I have not included them yet.

 

METRICAL FEET

 

 

Trochee trips from long to short;

From long to long in solemn sort

Slow Spondee stalks; strong foot! yet ill able

Ever to come up with Dactyl trisyllable.

Iambics march from short to long; ----

With a leap and a bound the swift Anapaests throng;

One syllable long, with one short at each side,

Amphibrachys hastes with a stately stride; ----

First and last being long, middle short, Amphimacer

Strikes his thundering hoofs like a proud high-bred Racer.

If Derwent be innocent, steady and wise,

And delight in things of earth, water, and skies;

Tender warmth at his heart, with these metres to show it,

With sound sense in his brains, may make Derwent a poet, ----

May crown him with fame, and must win him the love

Of his father on earth and his Father above.

            My dear, dear child!

Could you stand upon Skiddaw, you would not from its whole ridge

See a man who so loves you as your fond S.T. Coleridge.

 

1806