next to a different one of the same kind, i.e., two _different_
masculines or feminines are never found in juxtaposition.


HIATUS.

Two sounded vowels coming together form a "hiatus." A hiatus between a
vowel at the end of a word and another at the beginning of the next, is
forbidden. Hence, l. 546, where the straightforward expression would
have been _lui échappe_, Racine wrote the equivalent _nous échappe_, in
order to avoid the hiatus.

Lastly, a sounded vowel, followed by an unelided 'mute e,' must be at
the end of the line. Thus the word _Mardochée_ must always be at the
end of the line, or else be followed by a word beginning with a vowel
or 'mute h,' so that its 'mute e' may be elided. Cf. ll. 44, 618, and
156, 459, etc. Such words as _armées_, _joies_, etc., whose 'mute e'
cannot be elided, can never occur in the body of the line. The only
exception is made in favor of the verb-endings in _-oient_ and
_-aient_. Cf. ll. 527, 1111.

In French poetry, as in French grammar, 'mute h' always = a vowel, and
'aspirate h' = a consonant.

The rules given above apply to classical French poetry only. The
modern poetical schools of the nineteenth century have been taking
liberties with them, especially with the caesura. The latest school of
French poets, the _symbolistes_ or _décadents_ as they style
themselves, are attempting to overthrow every one. At their hands the
caesura has finally disappeared, and the following form, called a