Author: Madison Julius Cawein
The nuns sing, "ora pro nobis," The lancets glitter above; And the beautiful Virgin whose robe is Woven of infinite love, Infinite love and sorrow, Prays for them there on high; Who has most need of her prayers, to-morrow Shall tell them, they or I? Up in the hills together We loved, where the world seemed true; Our world of the whin and heather, Our skies of a nearer blue, A blue from which one borrows A faith that helps one die O Mother, sweet Mother of Sorrows, None needs such more than I! We lived, we loved unwedded Love's sin and its shame that slays! No ill of the year we dreaded, No day of its coming days; Its coming days, their many Trials by morn and night, And I know no land, not any, Where love's lilies grow so white! Was he false to me, my Mother! Or I to him, my God! Who gave thee right, O brother! To take God's right and rod! God's rod of avenging morrows, And the life here in my side! O Mother, God's Mother of Sorrows, For both I would have died! By the wall of the Chantry kneeling, I pray and the organ rings, "Gloria! gloria!" pealing, "Sancta Maria" sings! They will find us dead to-morrow By the wall of their nunnery, O Mother, sweet Mother of Sorrow! His unborn babe and me.
Type of Poem: Ballad
Date Written:
Date Published:
Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Publisher:
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Comments/Notes: This deeply evocative poem masterfully weaves together themes of love, sin, faith, and sorrow. The recurring refrain of the Virgin Mary, depicted as the Mother of Sorrows, provides an emotional underpinning for the narrative, which seems to revolve around an unwedded love affair and its tragic consequences. The speaker's intimate plea to the Virgin Mary creates an intensely personal and emotionally charged atmosphere, highlighting the stark contrast between the sacred and profane love.
The structure is neatly organized into five stanzas, each detailing a different stage of the speaker's journey—religious devotion, shared love, sin, remorse, and impending death. The poet's use of repetition and alliteration ('Mother, sweet Mother of Sorrows') heightens the emotive impact, reinforcing the speaker's despair and desperation. The use of nature imagery ('world of the whin and heather', 'skies of a nearer blue') helps contrast the speaker's idyllic past with the gloomy present, deepening the sense of loss and regret.
The tone of the poem is remorseful and melancholic, as the speaker laments the sin of their love and its dire repercussions. The poet skilfully employs dramatic irony in the final stanza, as the speaker prays in a church unaware of her impending demise. The poem ends on a poignant note, evoking a deep sense of sorrow and sympathy for the speaker. The poem serves as a powerful exploration of the human condition, probing the depths of love, guilt, despair, and faith.
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:
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.