Beowulf

Beowulf is written in the distinctly rhythmic, ceremonial style of Old English poetry. It shares a number of formal characteristics with other notable works written in Old English, including its use of alliterative verse, or in other words, the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words that are stressed. The opening lines of the poem reflect both the style of the poem and Old English verse more broadly: 

LO, praise of the prowess of people-kings 
of spear-armed Danes, in days long sped,
we have heard, and what honor the athelings won! 
Oft Scyld the Scefing from squadroned foes, 
from many a tribe, the mead-bench tore, 
awing the earls. Since erst he lay 
friendless, a foundling, fate repaid him: 
for he waxed under welkin, in wealth he throve, 
till before him the folk, both far and near,
who house by the whale-path, heard his mandate,
gave him gifts: a good king he!

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