Sesta Rima as a Mode of Imitation: Hybrid Forms in Anglo-Italian Verse.

This article examines the influence of the Italianate six-line stanza form known as sesta rima on the development of English ottava rima in the nineteenth century, focusing particularly on Lord Byron's early poetic experiments. It traces Byron's engagement with sesta rima through his Italian readings, correspondence, and manuscripts from 1813 to 1816, revealing how his movement toward ottava rima predated his time in Italy and involved hybrid stanza forms and stanza switching. The article also explores how Alfred, Lord Tennyson employed sesta rima to imitate and parody Byron's poetic voice, highlighting the role of emulation and formal experimentation in Romantic and post-Romantic verse. By situating sesta rima alongside ottava rima, the study broadens understanding of stanzaic innovation and the interconnected evolution of English and Italianate poetic forms.