Musagetes

By Madison Julius Cawein

Ballad
For the mountains' hoarse greetings came hollow     From stormy wind-chasms and caves, And I heard their wild cataracts wallow     Huge bulks in long spasms of waves, And that Demon said, "Lo! you must follow!     And our path is o'er myriads of graves." Then I felt that the black earth was porous     And rotten with worms and with bones; And I knew that the ground that now bore us     Was cadaverous with Death's skeletons; And I saw horrid eyes, heard sonorous     And dolorous gnashings and groans. But the night of the tempest and thunder,     The might of the terrible skies, And the fire of Hell that, - coiled under     The hollow Earth, - smoulders and sighs, And the laughter of stars and their wonder     Mingled and mixed in its eyes. And we clomb - and the moon old and sterile     Clomb with us o'er torrent and scar! And I yearned towards her oceans of beryl,     Wan mountains and cities of spar - "'Tis not well," that one said, "you're in peril     Of falling and failing your star." And we clomb - through a murmur of pinions,     Thin rattle of talons and plumes; And a sense as of Boreal dominions     Clove down to the abysms and tombs; And the Night's naked, Ethiope minions     Swarmed on us in legions of glooms. And we clomb - till we stood at the portal     Of the uttermost point of the peak, And it led with a step more than mortal     Far upward some presence to seek; And I felt that this love was immortal,     This love which had made me so weak. We had clomb till the limbo of spirits     Of darkness and crime deep below Swung nebular; nor could we hear its     Lost wailings and moanings of woe, - For we stood in a realm that inherits     A vanquishing virgin of snow.

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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 vivid exploration of a journey, both literal and metaphorical, which is steeped in gothic imagery and a sense of otherworldliness. The narrative explores themes of death, fear, determination, and an almost spiritual love, with the speaker appearing to confront these challenging themes under the guidance or coercion of an external 'Demon'. The tone is dramatic and intense, filled with an undercurrent of terror and awe, which is amplified by the eerie and unsettling imagery used throughout.

The poem adheres to a consistent rhyme scheme, lending a rhythmic quality to the narrative which subtly underscores the relentless progression of the journey. It is punctuated by the recurring phrase "And we clomb," marking each new stage of the journey and creating a sense of continuity as well as escalation. The use of alliteration and internal rhyme further enhance the poem's musicality and dramatic impact.

The poet makes effective use of sensory language and vivid imagery, imbuing the poem with a tangible sense of the macabre and supernatural. From the "black earth" that is "porous / And rotten with worms and with bones," to the "fire of Hell" and the "laughter of stars," the poet creates a fantastical landscape that is both daunting and spellbinding.

In the final stanza, the speaker asserts a sense of transcendence over the horrors they have encountered, reaching a realm of pristine snow, suggesting a purifying or redeeming journey. This shift in imagery, from the grotesque and terrifying to the serene and pure, underscores the transformative nature of the journey and the power of the immortal love that it has revealed.

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.