The present article examines the role of the conjunction and at the beginning of the Middle English (ME) alliterative verse line to illuminate its function as a discourse marker that reflects speech-like mode. Based on an analysis of approximately 23,000 alliterative lines, the article considers the special role of and in starting a new clause. The frequency is notably high–about 20% on average and certain poems show a significant frequency of 30% to even 40%. The high frequency of lines starting with and suggests that ME alliterative poetry occurs in speech mode that assumes recitation from the written page. After demonstrating different frequency rates among the major works, the article discusses additional strategies in a narrative by the use of and.