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In the current analysis of the rhythms of alliterative verse it is widely assumed that word-class forms a sound basis for determining which words (or more precisely syllables) in the line take the beat and which ones do not. To put it simply, it is generally assumed that open-class words are accented and closed-class ones are not. The analysis of modern English speech theories based on lexical category have been shown to be unworkable. In this paper I would like to argue this position with relation to alliterative verse, focusing especially on Piers Plowman. Areas of interest include the fuzzy boundaries of lexical categories and the effects of 'lexical presupposition' (i.e. the de-accenting of words given in context).