Mrs. Bond

By Walter Crane

Ballad
1.     "Oh, what have you got for dinner, Mrs. Bond?"     "There's beef in the larder, and ducks in the pond;"     "Dilly, dilly, dilly, dilly, come to be killed,     For you must be stuffed, and my customers filled!" 2.     "John Ostler, go fetch me a duckling or two,     John Ostler go fetch me a duckling or two;     Cry dilly, dilly, dilly, dilly, come and be killed,     For you must be stuffed, and my customers filled!" 3.     "I have been to the ducks that are swimming in the pond,     And they won't come to be killed, Mrs. Bond;     I cried dilly, dilly, dilly, dilly, come and be killed,     For you must be stuffed, and the customers filled!" 4.     Mrs. Bond she went down to the pond in a rage,     With plenty of onions, and plenty of sage;     She cried, "Come, little wag-tails, come, and be killed.     For you shall be stuffed, and my customers filled!"

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem presents a fascinating blend of whimsy and grim reality, drawing on the rustic and culinary themes common in traditional folk poetry. The dialogue between Mrs. Bond and John Ostler provides a narrative framework for the poem, which is essentially a commentary on the cycle of life and death, as reflected in the preparation of a meal.

The rhythmic repetition of "dilly, dilly, dilly, dilly" and "come and be killed" creates an intriguing juxtaposition of light-heartedness and brutality. The refrain "for you must be stuffed, and my customers filled" underscores the utilitarian nature of the ducks' existence. This refrain, coupled with the repeated call to be killed, underscores the inevitability of death and the cyclical nature of life, especially within the context of sustenance and survival.

The tone of the poem is a blend of the matter-of-fact and the slightly absurd. Mrs. Bond's demand for the ducks to come and be killed, and her subsequent rage when they do not comply, injects a dark humor into the narrative. The use of culinary terms like "stuffed", and the mention of onions and sage, grounds the poem in the mundane reality of meal preparation, further emphasizing the starkness of the ducks' fate.

In terms of structure, the poem is composed of quatrains with a loose ABCB rhyme scheme, lending it a sing-song quality that contrasts intriguingly with the harsh realities it depicts. Overall, the poem's unique blend of whimsy and grim reality, its repetitive refrains, and its grounding in everyday culinary practices make it a memorable exploration of the cycle of life and death.

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.