Ere With Cold Beads Of Midnight Dew

Author: William Wordsworth

Ere with cold beads of midnight dew
Had mingled tears of thine,
I grieved, fond youth! that thou shouldst sue
To haughty Geraldine.
Immoveable by generous sighs,
She glories in a train
Who, bound to her with fetters, rise
In zeal, and then in vain.
To serve, to flatter, to adore,
Is her delight, no less;
And yet the Lover evermore
Pines in his faithfulness.
O cruel spell! nor deem ’tis wrong
This warning to bestow;
Though from my heart the words are sprung,
Such worth and thou wert so!
Yet think not that I too can live
Where love is unrequited;
’Tis hard, but better far to give
The heart than thus be slighted.
Then from a daughter’s lips be taught
What worthier fancies move,
And in the only thing that’s sought,
With Geraldine, let love.
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Type of Poem: Ballad

Date Written: 1810-01-01

Date Published: 1810-01-01

Language: English

Keywords: Ballad, Love, Unrequited Love, Heartbreak

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher: W.Wordsworth

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: A ballad that tells the story of unrequited love and the heartache that comes from loving someone who does not return that love. The poem offers a reflection on the pain of unrequited love and the wisdom of letting go in favor of finding true, reciprocated affection.

Understanding Ballads

A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music, that has been a cornerstone of storytelling across various cultures. Traditionally passed down orally, ballads are known for their rhythmic structure and often tell tales of love, adventure, and heroism.

Ballads are characterized by their strong rhythm and repetition, making them both memorable and engaging. Here are some defining features:

  • Narrative Structure: Ballads typically tell a story, often a dramatic or emotional tale that unfolds in a straightforward, chronological order.
  • Quatrain Stanzas: Most ballads are composed of quatrains (four-line stanzas) with a rhyme scheme of ABAB or ABCB, which adds to the musicality of the verse.
  • Repetition: Refrains or repeated lines are common in ballads, helping to emphasize key themes or emotions and making the ballad easier to remember.
  • Oral Tradition: Many ballads originated from oral traditions, which means they were passed down through generations by word of mouth before being written down.

From medieval minstrels to contemporary songwriters, ballads have continued to evolve, remaining a beloved form of expression that captures the human experience in a way that is both poetic and accessible.