free verse (n.)

1869年，英语中出现了 vers libre。

But it is possible that excessive devotion to rhyme has thickened the modern ear. The rejection of rhyme is not a leap at facility; on the contrary, it imposes a much severer strain upon the language. When the comforting echo of rhyme is removed, success or failure in the choice of words, in the sentence structure, in the order, is at once more apparent. Rhyme removed, the poet is at once held up to the standards of prose. Rhyme removed, much ethereal music leaps up from the word, music which has hitherto chirped unnoticed in the expanse of prose. [T.S. Eliot, "Reflections on Vers libre," New Statesman, 3 March 1917]

但这可能是因为过度依赖韵律使得现代人听力变得迟钝。拒绝使用韵律并不是在追求简便； 相反，这会对语言本身造成更大的压力。当舒适的韵律音响消失后，选词、句子结构和次序的得失就会变得更加明显。韵律消失后，诗人不得不更加符合散文的标准。韵律消失后，文字中会跃动出无数空灵动听的音乐，这些音乐以前一直在散文的世界无声哔哔。[T.S.艾略特，“自由诗反思”，新政治家杂志，1917年3月3日]