Lady Clare

By Alfred Lord Tennyson

It was the time when lilies blow, And clouds are highest up in air, Lord Ronald brought a lily-white doe To give his cousin, Lady Clare. I trow they did not part in scorn- Lovers long-betroth'd were they: They too will wed the morrow morn: God's blessing on the day ! 'He does not love me for my birth, Nor for my lands so broad and fair; He loves me for my own true worth, And that is well,' said Lady Clare. In there came old Alice the nurse, Said, 'Who was this that went from thee?' 'It was my cousin,' said Lady Clare, 'To-morrow he weds vith me.' 'O God be thank'd!' said Alice the nurse, ' That all comes round so just and fair: Lord Ronald is heir of all your lands, And you are not the Lady Clare.' 'Are ye out of your mind, my nurse, my nurse?' Said Lady Clare, 'that ye speak so wild?' 'As God's above,' said Alice the nurse, ' I speak the truth: you are my child. 'The old Earl's daughter died at my breast; I speak the truth, as I live by bread! I buried her like my own sweet child, And put my child in her stead.' 'Falsely, falsely have ye done, O mother,' she said, ' if this be true, To keep the best man under the sun So many years from his due.' 'Nay now, my child,' said Alice the nurse, 'But keep the secret for your life, And all you have will be Lord Ronald's, When you are man and wife.' ' If I'm a beggar born,' she said, 'I will speak out, for I dare not lie. Pull off, pull off, the brooch of gold, And fling the diamond necklace by.' 'Nay now, my child,' said Alice the nurse, 'But keep the secret all ye can.' She said, ' Not so: but I will know If there be any faith in man.' 'Nay now, what faith ?' said Alice the nurse, 'The man will cleave unto his right.' 'And he shall have it,' the lady replied, 'Tho' I should die to-night.' 'Yet give one kiss to your mother dear ! Alas, my child, I sinn'd for thee.' 'O mother, mother, mother,' she said, 'So strange it seems to me. 'Yet here's a kiss for my mother dear, My mother dear, if this be so, And lay your hand upon my head, And bless me, mother, ere I go.' She clad herself in a russet gown, She was no longer Lady Clare: She went by dale, and she went by down, With a single rose in her hair. The lily-white doe Lord Ronald had brought Leapt up from where she lay, Dropt her head in the maiden's hand, And follow'd her all the way. Down stept Lord Ronald from his tower: 'O Lady Clare, you shame your worth! Why come you drest like a village maid, That are the flower of the earth?' 'If I come drest like a village maid, I am but as my fortunes are: I am a beggar born,' she said, 'And not the Lady Clare.' 'Play me no tricks,' said Lord Ronald, 'For I am yours in word and in deed. Play me no tricks,' said Lord Ronald, 'Your riddle is hard to read.' O and proudly stood she up ! Her heart within her did not fail: She look'd into Lord Ronald's eyes, And told him all her nurse's tale. He laugh'd a laugh of merry scorn: He turn'd and kiss'd her where she stood: 'If you are not the heiress born, And I,' said he, 'the next in blood-- 'If you are not the heiress born, And I,' said he, ' the lawful heir, We two will wed to-morrow morn, And you shall still be Lady Clare.'

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Analysis & Notes:
This lengthy narrative poem is a rich tapestry of love, identity, and the deceptive nature of appearances. The central characters are Lady Clare, her betrothed Lord Ronald, and her nurse Alice, who reveals a life-shattering secret on the eve of Lady Clare's wedding. The themes of love, truth, identity, and social status are interwoven throughout the poem, which maintains a consistently serious tone, underpinned by a sense of suspense and emotional intensity.

The structure of the poem, with its consistent rhyming scheme and rhythmic flow, supports the narrative fluidly, guiding the reader through the dramatic reveals and emotional responses of the characters. The use of dialogue adds depth and realism to the characters, allowing readers to experience the story more intimately. The poem's language is richly descriptive, painting vivid pictures of the characters and their surroundings, and highlighting the stark contrast between Lady Clare's noble upbringing and her revealed humble origins. Symbolism is also a key feature, with the lily-white doe representing innocence and purity, and the single rose in Lady Clare's hair symbolizing her newfound authenticity.

The standout element of the poem is its exploration of love and integrity. Despite the shocking revelation, Lady Clare chooses truth over deception, testing Lord Ronald's love for her. His reaction, laughing in merry scorn and reassuring her of his unchanged feelings, reinforces the poem's underlying message: that true worth lies not in titles or riches, but in character and authenticity.

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.