Does Nescio Scan as a Dactyl in Catullus 85

by Venceslaus
(Czech Republic)

Hello,
I have a problem with the metre analyse of the Catullus' verse "Nescio, sed fieri sentio, et excrucior". The first foot seems not to fit in the pentametre scheme. It consists of one long syllable (nes), one short (ci) and than one long (o) -- therefore, should the last syllable be pronounced short? Or is it just an allowed anomaly?
Thanks for a response

Dear Venceslaus,

In poetry nescio usually scans as a dactyl. So yes, the last syllable should be pronounced short.

Hope this helps, and thanks for asking a Latin teacher!

John