Careful Words

former (n.)

former (adj.)

Some force whole regions, in despite

O' geography, to change their site;

Make former times shake hands with latter,

And that which was before come after.

But those that write in rhyme still make

The one verse for the other's sake;

For one for sense, and one for rhyme,

I think's sufficient at one time.

Samuel Butler (1600-1680): Hudibras. Part ii. Canto i. Line 23.