A History of English Versification

by J. Schipper

2. Rhyme (or assonance) and alliteration combined; equally numerous, e.g. Prov. xv. 253–4, Lay. 13841–2, 13845–6, 13869–70, &c., or

Þat þe chíriche habbe grýþ | and the chéorl beo in frýþ.Prov. v. 93.

his sédes to sówen, | his médes to mówen.ib. 95.

biuóren wende Héngest, | and Hórs him alre hǽndest.Lay. 13973–4.

Heo cómen into hálle | hǽndeliche álle.ib. 13981–2.

3. Verses with rhyme (or assonance) only, without alliteration, also not unfrequent, e.g. Prov. xv. 249–50 ff., or Lay. 13853–4, &c.

And his plóuh beo idrýue | to ure álre bihóue. Prov. v. 97–8.

þe póure and þe ríche | démen ilýche. ib. iv. 80–1.

On Itálȝe heo comen to lónde, | þer Róme nou on stóndeþ. Lay. 106–7.

fele ȝér under súnnan | nas ȝet Róme biwónnen. ib. 108–9.