There are two parts to this essay. In the first part, the author, based on statistics, attempts to show how the five syllabic regulated verse developed, step by step, into its final form in the early T'ang period. First there was agreement on the tone patterns of single lines and couplets among writers. This led to patterns for combination of such lines and couplets. The pattern for an entire poem was finally established in the later part of Empress Wu's reign. In the second part, the author argues, contrary to the popular views that: a. Shen Ch'üan-ch'i and Sung Chih-wen were not responsible for the advent of the five syllabic regulated verse. b. The formation of the regulated verse had nothing to do with the predilection for poetry of the early T'ang emperors, nor with the advancement of court officials.