Who'll Buy Gods Of Love?

By Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Ballad
    OF all the beauteous wares     Exposed for sale at fairs,     None will give more delight     Than those that to your sight     From distant lands we bring.     Oh, hark to what we sing!     These beauteous birds behold,     They're brought here to be sold.     And first the big one see,     So full of roguish glee!     With light and merry bound     He leaps upon the ground;     Then springs up on the bougd,     We will not praise him now.     The merry bird behold,     He's brought here to be sold.     And now the small one see!     A modest look has he,     And yet he's such apother     As his big roguish brother.     'Tis chiefly when all's still     He loves to show his will.     The bird so small and bold,     He's brought here to be sold.     Observe this little love,     This darling turtle dove!     All maidens are so neat,     So civil, so discreet     Let them their charms set loose,     And turn your love to use;     The gentle bird behold,     She's brought here to be sold.     Their praises we won't tell;     They'll stand inspection well.     They're fond of what is new,     And yet, to show they're true,     Nor seal nor letter's wanted;     To all have wings been granted.     The pretty birds behold,     Such beauties ne'er were sold!

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a satirical commentary on the commodification of beauty, using a mock-enthusiastic tone to critique the way exotic birds and animals are displayed for sale. The poem's structure, with its consistent rhyme scheme and meter, adds to the sense of artificiality and mockery. The voice is that of a salesperson or showman, but one who is aware of the hypocrisy of his own claims. The imagery is vivid, with descriptions of the birds' physical characteristics, but also of the artificial settings in which they are displayed. The sound of the poem is playful, with a repetitive refrain (The bird so small and bold, / He's brought here to be sold) that underscores the poem's message. The poem's structural turn occurs when it shifts from describing the birds themselves to describing the ways in which they are being sold and admired. This shift in focus highlights the poem's central argument that even the most beautiful creatures are reduced to mere commodities. The final line, with its repetition of the phrase Such beauties ne'er were sold, drives home the poem's message, suggesting that the beauty of these creatures is ultimately meaningless in the face of market forces.

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.