Since I was the original poser of this question, I have been fascinated
to see the life the issue has taken on.

Basically, what has been most useful to me in explaining this to high
school students is the suggestion that the sentence would read awkwardly
were we to move the introductory phrase to another spot.  "He says in
Beowulf's speech to Hrothgar..."  is clearly not something we would say.
"Beowulf says in his speech to Hrothgar..."  works (though stylistically
I prefer it back at the beginning, rather than coming between the verb
and object).

I would like to read more on the topic-comment idea, however, for my
own edification!

Jane Saral

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