are different, and this difference spoils
the rhyme. _None_ and _own_ are in the same predicament; since one o is
sounded as o in _note_, and the other as the u in _but_.

From what has gone before we get the notion of true and perfect rhymes as
opposed to false and imperfect ones. For two (or more) words to rhyme to
each other, it is necessary

a. That the vowel be the same in both.
b. That the parts following the vowel be the same.
c. That the parts preceding the vowel be different.

Beyond this it is necessary that the syllables, to form a full and perfect
rhyme, should be accented syllables. _Sky_ and _lie_ form good rhymes, but
_sky_ and merri_ly_ bad ones, and _merrily_ and _silly_ worse. Lines like
the second and fourth of the following stanza are slightly exceptionable on
this score: indeed, many readers sacrifice the accent in the word
_m['e]rrily_ to the rhyme, and pronounce it _merril['y]_.

The w['i]tch she h['e]ld the ha['i]r in her h['a]nd,
The r['e]d flame bl['a]zed h['i]gh;
And ro['u]nd abo['u]t the c['a]ldron sto['u]t,
They d['a]nced right m['e]rri_l['y]_.--KIRKE WHITE.

s. 530. In matters of rhyme the letter h counts as nothing. _High_ and _I_,
_hair_ and _air_, are imperfect rhymes, because h (being no articulate
sound) counts as nothing, and so the parts before the vowel i and a are not
different (as they ought to be) but identical.

Whose generous children narrow'd not their hearts
With commerce, giv'n alone to arms and arts.--BYRON.

s. 531. Words where the letters coincide, but the sounds differ, are only
rhymes to the eye. _Breathe_ and _beneath_ are both in this predicament; so
also are _cease_ and _ease_ (_eaze_).

In the fat age of pleasure, wealth, and ease,
Sprang the rank weed, and thrived with large increase.--POPE.

s. 532. If the sounds coincide, the difference of the letters is
unimportant.

Bold in the practice of mistaken rules,
Prescribe, apply, and call their masters fools.
They talk of principles, but notions prize,
And all to one loved folly sacrifice.--POPE.

s. 533. _Single rhymes._--An accented syllable standing by itself, and
coming under the conditions given above, constitutes a single rhyme.

'Tis hard to say if greater want of _skill_
Appear in writing or in judging _ill_;
But of the two, less dangerous is the of_fence_
To tire the patience than mislead the _sense_.
Some few in that, but thousands err in _this_;