Futility Closet

Shouldn’t This Rhyme?

Posted in Language by Greg Ross on June 25th, 2008

"Husband," says Joan, "'tis plain enough
That Roger loves our daughter;
And Betty loves him too, although
She treats his suit with laughter."

For Roger always hems and coughs,
While on the field he's ploughing;
Then strives to see between the boughs,
If Betty heeds his coughing.

– Charles Carroll Bombaugh, Gleanings for the Curious from the Harvest-Fields of Literature, 1890