A Ballad of Trees and the Master.

By Sidney Lanier

Ballad
    Into the woods my Master went,     Clean forspent, forspent.     Into the woods my Master came,     Forspent with love and shame.     But the olives they were not blind to Him,     The little gray leaves were kind to Him:     The thorn-tree had a mind to Him     When into the woods He came.     Out of the woods my Master went,     And He was well content.     Out of the woods my Master came,     Content with death and shame.     When Death and Shame would woo Him last,     From under the trees they drew Him last:     'Twas on a tree they slew Him - last     When out of the woods He came.     Baltimore, November, 1880.

Share & Analyze This Poem

Spread the beauty of poetry or dive deeper into analysis

Analyze This Poem

Discover the literary devices, structure, and deeper meaning

Create Image

Transform this poem into a beautiful shareable image

Copy to Clipboard

Save this poem for personal use or sharing offline

Share the Love of Poetry
More Poems
More Ballads
Daily Poem

Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a profound exploration of themes such as sacrifice, love, shame, and death, structured in a narrative manner that tells a story of a Master's journey through the woods. The tone is somber and reflective, fitting the serious themes at hand.

The structure of the poem contributes significantly to its meaning. It is divided into two equal stanzas, each detailing a different phase of the Master's journey: his entrance and exit from the woods. This clear division allows for a stark contrast between the two parts of the narrative, emphasizing the transformation the Master undergoes within the woods.

The poet uses the woods as a symbol for a place of trials and tribulations, where the Master, entering 'forspent with love and shame', exits 'content with death and shame'. This shift suggests a journey of acceptance and resilience. The woods – and the trees within it, notably the thorn-tree and the tree that 'slew Him' – are personified, being 'kind' to the Master and having a 'mind to Him'. This serves to heighten the sense of intimacy between the Master and nature, and the role it plays in his journey.

Repetition is a key literary device used throughout the poem, particularly in the phrases 'my Master went', 'my Master came', and 'forspent'. This repetition lends a sort of rhythm and inevitability to the Master's journey, reinforcing the sense that the hardship he endures is both necessary and predestined.

In conclusion, the poem is a moving portrayal of sacrifice and acceptance, told through the lens of a journey through the woods. Its careful structure, use of symbolism and personification, and thematic depth make it a compelling piece of poetry.

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.