When the units of sense in a passage of poetry coincide with the verses, and the sense does not run on from one verse to another, the lines are said to be end-stopped. When the verse length does not match the length of the units of sense (clauses, sentences, whatever), the lines are said to be enjambed.
Eighteenth-century verse was most often end-stopped, as can be seen in this passage from Pope:
Notice each verse seems to contain a complete idea. Here, as often in Pope, sentences are restricted to couplets. Now compare a heavily enjambed stanza from the Renaissance poet Henry Vaughan:Nothing so true as what you once let fall,
“Most women have no characters at all.”
Matter too soft a lasting mark to bear,
And best distinguished by black, brown, or fair.
Here there’s no sense of resting after many of the verses — “Straight I” needs to be continued, as does “and led,” “which no,” and “only go.”With that some cried, “Away!” Straight I
Obeyed, and led
Full east, a fair, fresh field could spy;
Some called it Jacob’s bed,
A virgin soil which no
Rude feet ere trod,
Where, since he stepped there, only go
Prophets and friends of God.
Note: This guide is still in the early stages of development.
Three question marks mean I have to write more on the subject. Bear with me.