Wiley, it's very difficult to scan these lines, which I'm tempted to say aren't really metrical (or just barely). Here's my take on the first few lines:
THOUGH she BROUGHT a conSID'rable FORtune
This could also be heard as starting with an anapest. Indeed, this might be more natural. If the poet didn't want an anapest, he could have written "Although".
I don't hear three unstressed syllables in a row because of elision.
KATE was conSIDered unMARriageaBLE
I don't see how you can avoid a metrical beat on the final syllable.
BeCAUSE an inSUP'rable PORtion
Again, the elision avoids the problem.
Of SHREWishNESS lay IN her.
|