You Remember Ellen

By Thomas Moore

Narrative Poem
    You remember Ellen, our hamlet's pride,         How meekly she blest her humble lot,     When the stranger, William, had made her his bride,         And love was the light of their lowly cot.     Together they toiled through winds and rains,         Till William, at length, in sadness said,     "We must seek our fortune on other plains;"--         Then, sighing, she left her lowly shed.     They roamed a long and a weary way,         Nor much was the maiden's heart at ease,     When now, at close of one stormy day,         They see a proud castle among the trees.     "To-night," said the youth, "we'll shelter there;         "The wind blows cold, the hour is late:"     So he blew the horn with a chieftain's air,         And the Porter bowed, as they past the gate.     "Now, welcome, Lady," exclaimed the youth,--         "This castle is thine, and these dark woods all!"     She believed him crazed, but his words were truth,         For Ellen is Lady of Rosna Hall!     And dearly the Lord of Rosna loves         What William the stranger wooed and wed;     And the light of bliss, in these lordly groves,         Shines pure as it did in the lowly shed.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This narrative poem employs a storytelling technique that takes the reader on a journey of love, hardship, and eventual prosperity. The key themes explored are love, humility, change, and fortune. The tale of Ellen, a humble village girl who marries a stranger named William, encapsulates a Cinderella-like transformation from a lowly existence to nobility. This shift is subtly presented through a change in language and tone as the poem progresses.

The poem uses straightforward rhyme and meter, creating a rhythm that guides the reader through the story. The language is simple, yet rich in imagery, evoking vivid pictures of the characters' lives, their struggles, and eventual rise to grandeur. The use of indirect characterization is also worth noting: we understand the characters not through direct descriptions of their personalities, but through their actions and experiences. The poetic device of irony is evident when Ellen, initially suspecting William to be mad when he presents her with the castle, finds out that his words are true. This twist not only provides an element of surprise but also underscores the theme of fortune favoring the humble and virtuous. The poem ends on a heartwarming note, emphasizing that despite their elevated status, the couple's love remains as pure as it was in their humble beginnings.

Exploring Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.

Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.