vbl. sb. [f. VERSE v.1 + -ING1.] The action or practice of writing verse; an instance of this; the art or science of verse-making.
1581. Sidney, Apol. Poetrie (Arb.), 49. That which gyueth greatest scope…, is ryming and versing.
1613. W. Browne, Brit. Past., II. i. (1616), 9. For well it seemes in versing he hath skill.
1633. G. Herbert, Temple, Flower, vi. I once more smell the dew and rain, And relish versing.
1644. Bulwer, Chirol., A iij b. Physick and Versing in his flaming Chaire Plac’d Phoebus, and bestow’d that blazing Haire.
1856. Anne Manning, Tasso & Leonora, 46. Charmed with his smooth versings.
1874. M. Collins, Transmigr., II. ix. 162. The man who can … relish versing has nothing much the matter with his … psychical health.
1892. Stopford Brooke, Early Eng. Lit., I. vii. 146. He [Henry of Huntingdon] had before him some ancient versings of the fight.
attrib. 1645. G. Daniel, Poems, Wks. (Grosart), II. 51. What mad men are wee of the versing trade!
