Book excerpt: Originally published in 1940, this book was written in 'an attempt to drive a few main lines through the almost unexplored tract of Old English syntax'. The text also reaches important conclusions regarding the characteristic features of Old English style and its close relationship with syntactical elements, both in prose and verse. Reference is frequently made to the 'traditional text' of Beowulf. That is to say, the text as it was usually punctuated by editors at the time of publication. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in Old English and linguistics.