Aquinas Lear Limericks

Thomas Aquinas ,a 13th century Italian friar first recorded use of the anapestic meter in the AABBA form with prayers in Latin until Edward Lear used theform for humourous verse.The title Limerick is more uncertain but might have aconnection to the Irish town of that name ORIGINS There once lived a friar,Thomas of Aquino in latin,did his poetry flow In a prayer anapestic this form was to stick until Lear gave AABBA ,a go ALONG THESE LINES There was a young man from France who led his friends a fine dance Some thought him a prude others said he was rude Looking at him quite askance