The pattern of rhymes at the ending of each line in a poem is called a rhyme scheme . Letters (A,B,C. ) are usually used to express which lines rhyme . Verses that are designated with the same letter are said to rhyme with each other. It is also known as an arrangement of rhymes in a stanza or a poem.
For easier understanding of the concept, let us take a famous nursery rhyme, written by Jane Taylor as an example.
Twinkle twinkle little star,
How I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high
Like a diamond in the sky.
We see that the first two lines rhyme with each other (star-are); the second two lines rhyme with each other (high-sky). Let us name each line as A , B depending on the words that rhyme with each other.
| Twinkle twinkle little star, | A |
| How I wonder what you are. | A |
| Up above the world so high | B |
| Like a diamond in the sky. | B |
| “Will you walk into my parlour?” said the Spider to the Fly, | A |
| “Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy; | A |
| The way into my parlour is up a winding stair, | B |
| And I’ve many curious things to show when you are there.” | B |
| “Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “to ask me is in vain, | C |
| For who goes up your winding stair | B |
| can never come down again.” | C |
| “I’m sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high; | A |
| Will you rest upon my little bed?” said the Spider to the Fly. | A |
| “There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin, | B |
| And if you like to rest awhile, I’ll snugly tuck you in!” | B |
| “Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “for I’ve often heard it said, | C |
| They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!” | C |
| Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, “Dear friend what can I do, | A |
| To prove the warm affection I’ve always felt for you? | A |
| I have within my pantry, good store of all that’s nice; | B |
| I’m sure you’re very welcome — will you please to take a slice?” | B |
| “Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “kind Sir, that cannot be, | C |
| I’ve heard what’s in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!” | C |
| “Sweet creature!” said the Spider, “you’re witty and you’re wise, | A |
| How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes! | A |
| I’ve a little looking-glass upon my parlour shelf, | B |
| If you’ll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself.” | B |
| “I thank you, gentle sir,” she said, “for what you’re pleased to say, | C |
| And bidding you good morning now, I’ll call another day.” | C |
| The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den, | A |
| For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again: | A |
| So he wove a subtle web, in a little corner sly, | B |
| And set his table ready, to dine upon the Fly. | B |
| Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing, | C |
| “Come hither, hither, pretty Fly, with the pearl and silver wing; | C |
| Your robes are green and purple — there’s a crest upon your head; | D |
| Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!” | D |
| Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little Fly, | A |
| Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by; | A |
| With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew, | B |
| Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue — | B |
| Thinking only of her crested head — poor foolish thing! | C |
| At last, | A |
| Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast. | A |
| He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den, | B |
| Within his little parlour — but she ne’er came out again! | B |
| And now dear little children, who may this story read, | C |
| To idle, silly flattering words, I pray you ne’er give heed: | C |
| Unto an evil counsellor, close heart and ear and eye, | D |
| And take a lesson from this tale, of the Spider and the Fly | D |
The rhyme scheme of the poem " The Spider and the Fly " is " AABBCC ", and in the last two stanzas it is " AABBCCDD ".