Do you think the words lept and lep in the third stanza are spelt correctly - English - How to Tell Wild Animals (Poem)

Question

Do you think the words ‘lept’ and ‘lep’
in the third stanza are spelt correctly? Why does the poet spell
them like this?

Nishtha Kapil · Accepted Answer

No, the words ‘lept’ and ‘lep’ are
spelt incorrectly Their correct spellings are ‘leapt’
and ‘leap’ respectively The poet has spelled them like
this in order to maintain the rhythm of the poem When
spelled this way, they rhyme with the first part of
‘leopard’, thus giving emphasis to
‘leopard’ in each line

Do you think the words ‘lept’ and ‘lep’ in the third stanza are spelt correctly? Why does the poet spell them like this?