With Moonlight Beaming.

Author: Thomas Moore

    With moonlight beaming
        Thus o'er the deep,
    Who'd linger dreaming
        In idle sleep?
    Leave joyless souls to live by day,--
    Our life begins with yonder ray;
    And while thus brightly
        The moments flee,
    Our barks skim lightly
        The shining sea.

    To halls of splendor
        Let great ones hie;
    Thro' light more tender
        Our pathways lie.
    While round, from banks of brook or lake,
    Our company blithe echoes make;
    And as we lend 'em
        Sweet word or strain,
    Still back they send 'em
        More sweet again.
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Type of Poem: Ballad

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem conveys a strong sense of romanticism, reveling in the beauty of nature and celebrating the joys of nighttime over the blandness of the day. The moonlight and the sea are used as key symbols to represent serenity and freedom, which together create a peaceful and refreshing landscape. The tone of the poem is optimistic and liberating, encouraging one not to waste time in idle sleep but to appreciate the beauty of the night.

In terms of structure, the poem consists of four quatrains with a consistent, rhythmic rhyme scheme, which contributes to the overall soothing and harmonious effect. The diction is simple and approachable, making the poem accessible to a broad audience. One standout literary device used is personification, where the moonlight, the sea, and even the echoes are endowed with human characteristics, enhancing the enchantment and magic of the natural world depicted. The poet's use of contrast between the joyless lives of those who live by day and the vibrant, fulfilling lives of those who live by night serves to underscore the poem's main theme - a celebration of the beauty and freedom found in nature and the night.

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.