Practical Guide to English Versification / With a Compendious Dictionary of Rhymes, an Examination / of Classical Measures, and Comments Upon Burlesque and / Comic Verse, Vers de Société, and Song-writing

by Tom Hood

The verses employed in this sort of poems are either verses of ten syllables; as,

"Oh! could I flow like thee, and make thy Stream

My great Example, as it is my Theme;

Tho' dark yet clear; tho' gentle, yet not dull;

Strong without Rage; without o'erflowing full."—Denham.

Or of eight; as,

"O fairest Piece of well-form'd Earth,

Why urge you thus your haughty Birth?

The Pow'r, which you have o'er us lies,

Not in your Race, but in your Eyes.