A History of English Versification

This work offers a systematic, historical and technical study of English versification, beginning with definitions of rhythm, accent, and the phonetic basis of metre and proceeding through the Old English alliterative line to its evolution in Middle and later English. It analyzes scansion, metrical types, alliteration, rhyme, stanza forms, and the relation of verse to sentence structure, classifies line and hemistich patterns, and surveys lyrical and narrative stanzas. Numerous poetic examples illustrate principles, and editorial notes record textual variants, errata, and typographical corrections for accurate reading.