The Epic

By Madison Julius Cawein

    "To arms!" the battle bugles blew.      The daughter of their Earl was she,     Lord of a thousand swords and true;      He but a squire of low degree.     The horns of war blew up to horse:      He kissed her mouth; her face was white;     "God grant they bear thee back no corse!" -      "God give I win my spurs to-night!"     Each watch-tower's blazing beacon scarred      A blood-blot in the wounded dark:     She heard knights gallop battleward,      And from the turret leaned to mark.     "My God, deliver me and mine!      My child! my God!" all night she prayed:     She saw the battle beacons shine;      She saw the battle beacons fade.     They brought him on a bier of spears. -      For him - the death-won spurs and name;     For her - the sting of secret tears,      And convent walls to hide her shame.

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Poem Details

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

Analysis & Notes:
This poem masterfully illustrates a tragic tale of love, war, and societal hierarchy. The central characters are a noblewoman and a squire of low status. The theme of unattainable love due to societal standards is apparent in the poem, with the squire going to war in hopes of elevating his status to be able to court the noblewoman.

The tone of the poem is somber and tragic, which is maintained throughout the poem with vivid imagery and emotive language. The use of phrases like "a blood-blot in the wounded dark" and "the sting of secret tears" evoke a sense of sorrow and loss. The poet employs the structure of alternating lines to create a rhythm that is both engaging and dramatic.

The use of the battle bugle and beacon as recurring symbols adds depth to the narrative. The beacon symbolizes hope and fear -- its light shines when the battle rages, and its fading suggests the end of the battle and the arrival of devastating news. The bugle represents a call to action, a summons to the battlefield. It's a harbinger of conflict and potential death.

The final stanza culminates the tragic love story, revealing the squire's death and the noblewoman's grief. The poem ends on a note of societal critique as the noblewoman is left alone with her shame and sorrow, "convent walls to hide her shame," suggesting the judgement and confinement she faces in the aftermath of their forbidden love. This final note underscores the tragic consequences of societal norms and expectations.

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.