No events on file today or tomorrow. Since the last case was CREE, how about three limericks by a wonderfully talented Sherlockian and Hound of the Internet who is sorely missed.
Which ending line do you like? Let me know and on with the show!
The Creeping Man
He ventured out every ninth night,
To scramble up trees in delight.
But then he was seized
By the dog he’d teased
Whose fangs tore his throat with one bite.
Don Dillistone, November, 2002
The Creeping Man
He ventured out every ninth night,
To scramble up trees in delight.
But then he was seized
By his dog whom he’d teased,
Who slashed his throat with a well-placed bite.
Don Dillistone, November, 2002
The Creeping Man
He ventured out every ninth night,
To scramble up trees in delight.
But then he was seized
By the dog he’d teased,
Who ripped his throat with a savage bite.
Don Dillistone, November, 2002
I like the first one best, has smoother cadence.
Of the final line, only the first version scans properly!
Of the line 4, only the second version scans properly.
My preference overall would be:
He ventured out ev’ry ninth night,
To scramble up trees in delight.
But then he was seized
By the dog that he’d teased,
Whose fangs tore his throat with one bite.
I’m late in agreeing with the above comments. The meter is correct only in the first limerick, which always sounds better when adhering to a rather rigid form of scansion. Free verse need not apply.
“Who slashed his throat with a well-placed bite” is the best ending. 🙂