First published in 1930, The Metres of English Poetry is an insightful study of English prosody, designed to cater to both the general poetry enthusiast and the advanced scholar or university student. The opening chapter offers a lucid explanation of the principles of English metre, challenging and refining traditional views in light of modern research. Subsequent chapters delve into the historical evolution of various metres, tracing their development from their earliest appearances to the present day, accompanied by extensive examples illustrating each form.
In addition to comprehensive analyses of blank verse and couplet forms, the book features dedicated chapters on stanza forms, the sonnet, the ode, as well as French and classical metres in English. This seminal work is an essential read for scholars and researchers of English poetry and literature.