The Rhymester: Or, the Rules of Rhyme: A Guide to English Versification. With a Dictionary of Rhymes, an Examination of Classical Measures, and Comments upon Burlesque, Comic, Verse, and Song-Writing

The Rhymester: Or, The Rules of Rhyme – is a book which was published in 1911, written by late Tom Hood and edited with additions by Arthur Penn. Tom Hood was an English playwright and humorist, the son of the poet and writer Thomas Hood. The author claims that this book does not claim to be a reference book for poets or a guide to poetry. Trying to compose such a book, implied by any of these titles, would be as absurd as it is pretentious. In short, poetic genius is a gift, but education and perseverance will make almost anyone a versifier. Poetry is not so much a matter of manner as a matter of matter, while versification is purely a matter of form. Therefore, all that this book is intended to teach is the art of versification. This book includes a vocabulary of rhymes, analysis of classical measures, and commentary on burlesque, humorous poetry and songwriting.