I-VI -- Preface -- Contents -- List of tables -- Abbreviations and symbols -- Chapter 1 Theoretical background -- Chapter 2 Metrical types and metrical schemes -- Chapter 3 The heavy drop -- Chapter 4 The normal drop -- Chapter 5 Resolution -- Chapter 6 Alliteration -- Chapter 7 Anacrusis -- Chapter 8 The asymmetry between the a-verse and the b-verse, and the organization of the line -- Chapter 9 The hypermetric verse -- Chapter 10 Conclusions -- Notes -- References -- Index of authors -- Index of subjects -- Index of verses cited for discussion -- Index of verses classified according to metrical type