poulter's measures

Noun

poulter's measure (plural poulter's measures)

1. A metre with alternate lines of 12 and 14 syllables.
   • Good ladies, ye that have your pleasure in exile
     Step in your foot, come take a place and mourn with me awhile.
     And such as by their lords do set but little price,
     Let them sit still, it skills them not what chance come on the dice.1547, Earl Surrey, Complaint on the absence of her lover being at sea.