Rain And Wind

By Madison Julius Cawein

Ballad
I hear the hoofs of horses Galloping over the hill, Galloping on and galloping on, When all the night is shrill With wind and rain that beats the pane, And my soul with awe is still. For every dripping window Their headlong rush makes bound, Galloping up, and galloping by, Then back again and around, Till the gusty roofs ring with their hoofs, And the draughty cellars sound. And then I hear black horsemen Hallooing in the night; Hallooing and hallooing, They ride o'er vale and height, And the branches snap and the shutters clap With the fury of their flight. Then at each door a horseman, With burly bearded lip Hallooing through the keyhole, Pauses with cloak a-drip; And the door-knob shakes and the panel quakes 'Neath the anger of his whip. All night I hear their gallop, And their wild halloo's alarm; The tree-tops sound and vanes go round In forest and on farm; But never a hair of a thing is there, Only the wind and storm.

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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 fear and the human imagination's propensity for creating spectres in the face of the unknown. The poet uses the recurring motif of galloping horses and their riders to symbolize an impending, unnamed dread. The tone is one of tension and apprehension, heightened by the relentless rhythm that mimics the relentless galloping and the chaotic forces of nature.

The structure of the poem, with its repetitive lines and consistent rhyme scheme, adds to the feeling of a relentless, unstoppable force. The poet skillfully employs auditory imagery, using onomatopoeic words such as 'snap,' 'clap,' and 'quakes,' to bring the sounds of the storm and the imaginary horsemen to life. The poem ends on a note of anticlimax as the speaker reveals that there is no tangible threat, only the wind and storm. The theme of fear being a product of one's own mind is thus underscored, and the poem serves as a subtle commentary on the human tendency to conjure threats and fear what we do not understand. The poem, while maintaining an accessible language, invites the reader to reflect on their own fears and the power of their imagination.

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.