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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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alliterative verse
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The standard form of Old *English verse, which achieved powerful effects by the relentless repetition of consonants. It survived in some Middle English poems up to the 14C (e.g. *Gawain and the Green Knight, *Piers Plowman) and it lasted longest in Scotland. An example from William *Dunbar (late 15C) suggests well the effect. In his Tua Mariit Wemen and the Wedo it is hardly necessary to know the Scots words to appreciate what one of the married women thinks of her husband: I have ane wallidrag, ane worme, ane auld wobat carle, A waistit wolroun na worth bot wourdis to clatter.
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