A metrical device in poetry features a short line (the ‘bob’) followed by a group of rhyming lines (the ‘wheel’). The ‘bob’ typically consists of one to three stresses, and the ‘wheel’ usually comprises four lines with an ABAB rhyme scheme. As an example, consider the ending stanzas of many alliterative poems.
The structure provides a change of pace and rhythm, adding emphasis to the final message or reflection within a larger work. This offers a stylistic flair and provides a conclusion to a stanza or section. It has appeared in English poetry, showcasing creative freedom.
