Ashly Mere.

By Madison Julius Cawein

Ballad
Come! look in the shadowy water here, The stagnant water of Ashly Mere: Where the stirless depths are dark but clear, What is the thing that lies there? A lily-pod half sunk from sight? Or spawn of the toad all water-white? Or ashen blur of the moon's wan light? Or a woman's face and eyes there? Now lean to the water a listening ear, The haunted water of Ashly Mere: What is the sound that you seem to hear In the ghostly hush of the deeps there? A withered reed that the ripple lips? Or a night-bird's wing that the surface whips? Or the rain in a leaf that drips and drips? Or a woman's voice that weeps there? Now look and listen! but draw not near The lonely water of Ashly Mere! For so it happens this time each year As you lean by the mere and listen: And the moaning voice I understand, For oft I have watched it draw to land, And lift from the water a ghastly hand And a face whose eyeballs glisten. And this is the reason why every year To the hideous water of Ashly Mere I come when the woodland leaves are sear, And the autumn moon hangs hoary: For here by the mere was wrought a wrong ... But the old, old story is over long And woman is weak and man is strong ... And the mere's and mine is the story.

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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 haunting narrative that explores themes of remorse, mystery, and the supernatural. Its tone is eerie and somber, capturing the reader's attention with its vivid imagery and rhythmic cadence. The poet employs a series of rhetorical questions to provoke curiosity and suspense, each hinting at a sinister secret lurking beneath the 'stagnant water of Ashly Mere'.

The structure of the poem, with its regular rhythm and rhyme scheme, adds to the suspenseful and ghostly atmosphere. The repetition of the refrain 'Ashly Mere' further emphasizes the significance of this location, imbuing it with a sense of dread. The use of onomatopoeic words such as 'drips', 'weeps', and 'moaning' enhances the auditory experience for the reader, creating an auditory landscape that complements the visual imagery.

The concluding verses reveal that the narrator is intimately connected with the eerie happenings at Ashly Mere, suggesting themes of guilt and regret. The poet uses the phrase 'the old, old story' to indicate a universal tale of human frailty and error, and the power imbalance between men and women. Overall, the poem is a chilling narrative that skillfully intertwines the natural and the supernatural to weave a tale of sorrow and remorse.

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.