A Hunting Morning

Author: Arthur Conan Doyle

    Put the saddle on the mare,
    For the wet winds blow;
    There's winter in the air,
    And autumn all below.
    For the red leaves are flying
    And the red bracken dying,
    And the red fox lying
    Where the oziers grow.

    Put the bridle on the mare,
    For my blood runs chill;
    And my heart, it is there,
    On the heather-tufted hill,
    With the gray skies o'er us,
    And the long-drawn chorus
    Of a running pack before us
    From the find to the kill.

    Then lead round the mare,
    For it's time that we began,
    And away with thought and care,
    Save to live and be a man,
    While the keen air is blowing,
    And the huntsman holloing,
    And the black mare going
    As the black mare can.
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Type of Poem: Ballad

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

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Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem is a vivid exploration of the passage of time, the changing seasons, and the natural world's raw, primal beauty. It presents a rich tapestry of images that conjure up the blustery, transitional period between fall and winter. The recurring image of the red - the red leaves, the red bracken, and the red fox - signifies not only the autumn season but also the cycle of life, underscoring the theme of mortality.

From a structural perspective, the poem employs a strong rhythmic pattern that echoes the movement of the mare and the pace of the hunt. This rhythm, combined with the repetition of the phrase "Put the...", gives the poem a sense of urgency and progression, paralleling the relentless march of time. The tone of the poem is one of melancholic acceptance, a reflection perhaps of the speaker's acknowledgement of the inevitability of change and the fleeting nature of life.

Moreover, the poem brilliantly uses the mare as a metaphor for life itself - unpredictable, wild, yet beautiful. The poet's emphasis on the need to "live and be a man" hints at a stoic approach to life, embracing its challenges and savoring its joys. This sentiment is captured in the last lines of the poem, which celebrate the thrill of the chase and the exhilaration of being in the moment, suggesting a carpe diem philosophy.

In conclusion, this poem is a profound and stirring meditation on life, time, and the human connection to the natural world, delivered with a keen sense of rhythm and a rich palette of evocative imagery.

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.