My missus mixes “then” and “than”
She says that the ear of the Englishman
May hear different sounds but the Slavonic mind
Interprets them both as a similar kind.

“My darling sweet, I have a plan
By the use of which I believe we can
Make learning this thing much more more easy for you.”
She said, “Oh brightest of men! – please see what you can do!”

So I sat and I thought and then by and by,
Ideas came on wings they were flying so spry.
“thEn” is the word that describes some EvEnts
sEquEntial in time or in consEquEncE
And all of those words they have lots of EEs
You can count them yourself if only you please.

While a “thAn” links compArative notions you see;
Relates relevant things in respective degree.
What’s better than faster than this simple pathway?
“compArison” and “thAn” share a singular trait!
For both have an A and neither an E.
By this time I was jumping with spark-A-ling glee.

My honey-pie smiled and I heard her shout,
“You’re brilliant my darling – you must write that out!”
So I wrote it all down with my favourite pen
And pinned it all up with a thumbtack and then
She read it out once, and then once more and said,
“Now that will certainly stick in my head!”

Her eyes became misty and softer and swirlier,
As she thought back to our wedding eleven years earlier.
“How lucky I am – you’re the wisest of men!
In fact, wiser THAN wise, I’m glad I married you THEN.”