View source for Internal rhyme

{{Short description|Rhyme whose time is not the end of a line}}
In [[poetry]], '''internal rhyme''', or '''middle rhyme''', is [[rhyme]] that occurs within a single line of [[verse (poetry)|verse]], or between internal phrases across multiple lines.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Strachan |first1=John |last2=Terry |first2=Richard |year=2000 |title=Poetry |location=Edinburgh |publisher=Edinburgh University Press |page=63 |isbn=978-0-7486-1045-7}}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia | year = 2014 | title = Internal rhyme | encyclopedia = [[Encyclopædia Britannica]] | publisher = Encyclopædia Britannica | url = https://www.britannica.com/art/internal-rhyme }}</ref> By contrast, rhyme between line endings is known as end rhyme.

Internal [[rhyme scheme]]s can be denoted with spaces or commas between lines. For example, {{not a typo|"ac,ac,ac"}} denotes a three-line poem with the same internal rhyme on each line, and the same end rhyme on each line (which does not rhyme with the internal rhyme).

== Examples ==
===Poetry===
In the following [[Limerick (poetry)|limerick]], each stressed syllable rhymes with another stressed syllable using one of three rhyme sets. Each rhyme set is indicated by a different highlight color. Note that the yellow rhyme set provides internal rhyme in lines 1, 2, and 5, and end rhymes in lines 3 and 4, but the blue set is entirely internal, and the pink is exclusively end rhymes.

<blockquote><poem>
Each time {{highlight |Ros}}alie {{highlight |goes}} for a {{highlight |walk | pink}}
She well {{highlight |knows}} that her {{highlight |clothes}} are the {{highlight |talk| pink }}
Of the {{highlight |town| lightblue }}, and it {{highlight |shows}},
But this {{highlight |gown| lightblue }} will ex{{highlight |pose}}
More than {{highlight |toes}}, so some {{highlight |shmoes}} gape and {{highlight |gawk| pink }}.
</poem></blockquote>
[[Samuel Taylor Coleridge]]'s poem "[[The Rime of the Ancient Mariner]]" is filled with lines that include internal rhyme, such as "The guests are '''met''', the feast is '''set'''"; "The ship was '''cheered''', the harbour '''cleared'''"; and "It cracked and '''growled''', and roared and '''howled'''".<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Poetry Foundation|The Poetry Foundation]] |title=The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (text of 1834) |url=https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43997/the-rime-of-the-ancient-mariner-text-of-1834}}</ref> Internal rhymes were a trademark of 19th century English poet [[Gerard Manley Hopkins]], for instance, in "God's Grandeur":
<blockquote><poem>Why do '''men''' '''then''' now not reck his rod?
Generations have '''trod''', have trod, have trod;
    And all is '''seared''' with trade; '''bleared''', '''smeared''' with toil;
    And '''wears''' man's smudge and '''shares''' man's smell: the soil
Is '''bare''' now, nor can foot feel, being shod.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Poetry Foundation|The Poetry Foundation]] |title=God's Grandeur |url=https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44395/gods-grandeur}}</ref>
</poem></blockquote>

[[Percy Dearmer]] (1867–1936) revised [[John Bunyan]]'s (1628–1688) poem "[[To Be a Pilgrim]]" in 1906. It became a popular hymn when Charles Winfred Douglas (1867–1944) set it to music in 1917. Here are Dearmer's lyrics, with the internal rhymes in bold. Note that in the three [[quatrains]], the internal rhymes are also echoed in the line rhymes (also in bold).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/h/w/hwhowvbe.htm |archive-date=3 March 2001 |title=He Who Would Valiant Be |website=cyberhymnal.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010303113522/http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/h/w/hwhowvbe.htm}}</ref>
<blockquote><poem>He who would '''valiant be''' 'gainst all disaster,
Let him in '''constancy''' follow the Master.
There’s no '''discouragement''' shall make him once '''relent'''
His first avowed '''intent''' to be a pilgrim.

Who so beset him '''round''' with dismal stories
Do but themselves '''confound'''—his strength the more is.
No foes shall stay his '''might'''; though he with giants '''fight''',
He will make good his '''right''' to be a pilgrim.

Since, Lord, Thou dost '''defend''' us with Thy Spirit,
We know we at the '''end''', shall life inherit.
Then fancies flee '''away'''! I’ll fear not what men '''say''',
I’ll labor night and '''day''' to be a pilgrim.
</poem></blockquote>

===Popular music===
In the [[comic operas]] that he wrote with [[Arthur Sullivan]], [[W. S. Gilbert]] (1836–1911) used internal rhymes in some of his song lyrics. For example, Bunthorne's solo aria from ''[[Patience (opera)|Patience]]'' begins:

<blockquote><poem>
If you're anxious for to '''shine''' in the high aesthetic '''line'''
As a man of culture rare,
You must get up all the '''germs''' of the transcendental '''terms''',
And plant them everywhere.
You must lie upon the '''daisies''' and discourse in novel '''phrases'''
Of your complicated state of mind,
The meaning doesn't '''matter''' if it's only idle '''chatter'''
Of a transcendental kind.
</poem></blockquote>

Internal [[rhyme scheme|rhyme schemes]] were common in popular songs of the [[Swing Era]]. One illustration is the bridge from "[[Don't Fence Me In (song)|Don't Fence Me In]]", which was written by [[Cole Porter]] for the 1944 film ''[[Hollywood Canteen (film)|Hollywood Canteen]]'':
<blockquote><poem>
Just turn me '''loose''' let me '''straddle''' my old '''saddle''',
Underneath the western skies,
On my '''cayuse''' let me '''wander''' over '''yonder''',
'Til I see the mountains rise.
</poem></blockquote>

[[Bob Dylan]] often used internal rhymes in his lyrics such as in "[[Subterranean Homesick Blues]]":
<blockquote><poem>
Ah get '''born''', keep '''warm'''
Short '''pants''', '''romance''', learn to '''dance'''
Get '''dressed''', get '''blessed'''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bobdylan.com/songs/subterranean-homesick-blues/ |title=Subterranean Homesick Blues |publisher=The Official Bob Dylan Site}}</ref>
</poem></blockquote>
And "[[Like a Rolling Stone]]":
<blockquote><poem>
Once upon a '''time''' you dressed so '''fine'''
You threw the bums a '''dime''' in your '''prime''', didn't you?
People'd '''call''', say, "Beware '''doll''', you're bound to '''fall'''"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bobdylan.com/songs/rolling-stone/ |title=Like a Rolling Stone |publisher=The Official Bob Dylan Site}}</ref>
</poem></blockquote>
Other [[pop music|pop]], [[rock music|rock]], and [[rhythm and blues]] lyricists from the 1960s and the 1970s employed the technique more sparingly than Dylan such as [[Smokey Robinson]] in "[[The Tears of a Clown]]" ("In order to shield my '''pride''', I've '''tried'''") and [[Carly Simon]] in "[[Anticipation (song)|Anticipation]]" ("When I was thinking about how '''right''' '''tonight''' '''might''' be").

===Rap and hip-hop===
Internal rhyme is used extensively in rap and [[hip-hop music]], and it sometimes then overlaps with [[assonance]]. The usage of internal rhyme in rap has increased over time, but can be found even in the earliest rap songs, such as the [[Sugarhill Gang]]'s 1979 single, "[[Rapper's Delight]]":<ref>{{cite web |url=https://genius.com/Sugarhill-gang-rappers-delight-lyrics |title=Sugarhill Gang – Rapper's Delight}}</ref>
<blockquote><poem>
I'm six-foot-'''one''' and I'm '''tons''' of '''fun''' and I dress to a '''T'''
You '''see''', I got more clothes than Muhammad '''Ali''' and I dress so '''viciously'''
I got body '''guards''', I got two big '''cars''', I definitely ain't the '''whack'''
I got a Lincoln Continental and a sun-roofed '''Cadillac'''
So after '''school''', I take a dip in the '''pool''', which is really on the '''wall'''
I got a color '''TV''', so I can '''see''' the Knicks play '''basketball'''
</poem></blockquote>

Internal rhyme is used frequently by many different hip-hop artists, including [[Kool Moe Dee]], [[Big Daddy Kane]], [[Nas]], and [[Rakim]], as is demonstrated in [[Eric B. and Rakim]]'s 1987 piece, "[[Paid in Full (album)|My Melody]]" from their debut album ''[[Paid in Full (album)|Paid In Full]]'':

<blockquote><poem>My '''unusual style''' will '''confuse you a while'''
If I were water, I'd flow in the '''Nile'''
So many '''rhymes''' you won't have '''time''' to go for '''yours'''
Just '''because''' of '''applause''' I have to '''pause'''
'''Right''' after '''tonight''' is when I '''prepare'''
To catch another sucker-duck MC out '''there'''
My '''strategy''' '''has to be''' '''tragedy,''' '''catastrophe'''
And after this you'll call me your '''majesty...'''<ref>{{cite journal |last=Salaam |first=Mtume ya |title=The Aesthetics of Rap |journal=[[African American Review]] |volume=29 |number=2 |date=Summer 1995 |pages=303–315 |url=https://doi.org/10.2307/3042309 |url-access=limited |jstor=3042309}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Rakim Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio {{&}} More |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/rakim-mn0000389137 |access-date=22 May 2008}}</ref></poem></blockquote>

Another prominent hip-hop artist who uses complex internal rhymes is [[AZ (rapper)|AZ]], as is shown in "The Format":

<blockquote><poem>
'''Young and gifted''', my '''tongue's prolific'''
In the '''beach bungalow''' is how I '''brung in Christmas'''
To the '''streets I'mma flow''' from the '''hungriest districts'''
'''Swiss kicks''' crisp when I come to them '''picnics'''
'''Play slow''', paper chase '''stack and lay low'''
'''Range rove''' tinted all '''black the same old'''
'''Psychic mind''', '''righteous rhymes''' that '''turned a new leaf from a life of crime'''
No '''concerns with new beef, who's as nice as I'm'''
It's '''confirmed, from few feet I'm still a sniper blind'''
'''Built my fame''', '''spilt my pain'''
Politicking daily, still trying to '''milk the game'''
It's obvious that I'm real, rap '''skills remain'''
I took some '''change''' and I'm '''still the same'''
</poem></blockquote>

[[Black Thought]], a rapper from [[The Roots]], uses internal rhymes in the song "Respond/React":

<blockquote><poem>
The '''attractive''' '''assassin''', '''blastin''' the devil '''trespassin'''
'''Master''' gettin '''cash''' '''in''' an orderly '''fashion'''
Message to the fake n**** '''flashin'''
Slow up '''Ahk''', before you get '''dropped''' and '''closed''' like a '''caption'''
'''Fractional''' kids don't '''know''' the time for '''action'''
Styles got the rhythm that of an Anglo-'''Saxon'''
Round of applause, an avalanche of '''clappin'''
{*BLOW*} that's what '''happen''', now what's your '''reaction'''
We heavyweight '''traction''', pro-'''pornographin'''
Specialize in science and '''math and''', original '''black man'''
Bustin thoughts that '''pierce''' your mental
The '''fierce rippin''' your '''sacks''' '''and'''
Vocal toe to toe impeccable '''splittin''' your '''back''' '''son'''
Simple as '''addition''' and '''subtraction'''
'''Black''' '''Thought''', the '''infinite''' '''relaxed''' '''one'''
Shorties say they love it with a '''passion'''
Bring the '''international''' charm, see a squad I '''harass'''
</poem></blockquote>

[[MF Doom]] uses almost every word as internal rhyme in this verse in his song, "Figaro" (rhymes are highlighted):

<blockquote><poem>
It's {{highlight | too }} {{highlight | hot | lightblue }} {{highlight | to }} {{highlight | handle | pink }}, {{highlight | you }} {{highlight | got | lightblue }} {{highlight | blue }} {{highlight | sandals | pink }}
{{highlight | Who }} {{highlight | shot | lightblue }} {{highlight | you }}? {{highlight | Ooh }} {{highlight | got | lightblue }} {{highlight | you }} {{highlight | new }} {{highlight | spots | lightblue }} {{highlight | to }} {{highlight | vandal | pink }}?
{{highlight | Do }} {{highlight | not | lightblue }} {{highlight | stand still | pink }}, {{highlight | both show | lightgreen }} {{highlight | skills | orange }}
{{highlight | Close | lightgreen }} but {{highlight | no | lightgreen }} {{highlight | krills | orange }}, {{highlight | toast for po' | lightgreen }} {{highlight | nils | orange }}, {{highlight | post no | lightgreen }} {{highlight | bills | orange }}
{{highlight | Coast to coast Joe Shmoe's flows | lightgreen }} {{highlight | ill | orange }}, {{highlight | go | lightgreen }} {{highlight | chill | orange }}
Not {{highlight | supposed to overdose, No-Doz | lightgreen }} {{highlight | pills | orange }}
{{highlight | Off | #FAE7B5 }} {{highlight | pride | #BFAFB2 }} {{highlight | tykes | #ACE5EE }} {{highlight | talk | #FAE7B5 }} {{highlight | wide | #F4BBFF }} through {{highlight | scar | #A3C1AD }} {{highlight | meat | #FFFF99 }}
{{highlight | Off | #FAE7B5 }} {{highlight | sides | #BFAFB2 }} {{highlight | like | #ACE5EE }} how {{highlight | Worf | #FAE7B5 }} {{highlight | rides | #F4BBFF }} with {{highlight | Star | #A3C1AD }}{{highlight | fleet | #FFFF99 }}
</poem></blockquote>

[[Kool Keith]] uses internal rhyme heavily in his song "3000" and effectively throws off the listener:

<blockquote><poem>
As studies have shown; participator acts {{highlight | walk up}}, {{highlight | clog up}}
And mess up water {{highlight |down| lightblue }} the {{highlight |sound| lightblue }} that comes from the {{highlight |ghetto| pink }}
In the {{highlight |middle| pink }} the {{highlight |core| #FAE7B5 }} you {{highlight |tour| #FAE7B5 }}, {{highlight |exp| orange }}{{highlight |lore| #FAE7B5 }} {{highlight |exp| orange }}{{highlight |eri| lightgrey}}ence
What is {{highlight |real| lightgrey}} you {{highlight |feel| lightgrey}}, {{highlight |chang| cyan}}ing {{highlight |ways| cyan}}
Commercial {{highlight |rap's| lightblue}} in the {{highlight |grave| cyan}}, stuff on disc that's very {{highlight |wack| lightblue}}
That you {{highlight |saved| cyan}}, you think it's {{highlight |good| aqua}} won't go {{highlight |plat| lightblue}}inum
Or even turn {{highlight |wood| aqua}}, sell the {{highlight |cassette| lightgreen}}
Your homey's tape {{highlight |deck| lightgreen}} {{highlight |gets wet| lightgreen}}
You my {{highlight |pet| lightgreen}}, my {{highlight |poodle| #6AB5FF}} chicken {{highlight |noodle's| #6AB5FF}} on the {{highlight |rise| gold}}
Open your {{highlight |eyes| gold}} and see {{highlight |my| gold}} {{highlight |life| gold}}
Rap moves on to the year three thousand!
</poem></blockquote>[[Bad Lip Reading]] uses internal rhyme in their comedic song [https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3Xl0Qr0uXuY&t=1s&pp=ygUYQmFkIGxpcCByZWFkaW5nIG15IHN0aWNr “My Stick”].

<blockquote><poem>
I '''disappear''' for '''years''' then '''reappear''' right '''here''' to '''cheer''' about my cool stick…
</poem></blockquote>

==See also==
{{Portal|Poetry}}
* [[Off-centered rhyme|Off-centred rhyme]]
* [[Leonine verse]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Poetic forms}}

{{Use British English Oxford spelling|date=July 2019}}

[[Category:Rhyme]]