In this lengthy essay on the subject of Syriac meter, one of the Abhandlungen für die Kunde des Morgenlandes published by the German Oriental Society, Syriac scholar J.P. Martin (1840-1890) begins by reviewing the previous scholarship on the subject and pointing out the importance of looking at the subject, not from a western point of view, but from that of Syriac writers themselves, and those that had little or no contact with Europeans. He edits the section on meter from Jacob bar Shakko’s (d. 1241) Book of Dialogues, and offers an annotated French translation. Scholars concerned with Syriac poetry and grammar will find much of value in Martin’s work.