The Fen-Fire.

Author: Madison Julius Cawein

The misty rain makes dim my face,
 The night's black cloak is o'er me;
 I tread the dripping cypress-place,
 A flickering light before me.

 Out of the death of leaves that rot
 And ooze and weedy water,
 My form was breathed to haunt this spot,
 Death's immaterial daughter.

 The owl that whoops upon the yew,
 The snake that lairs within it,
 Have seen my wild face flashing blue
 For one fantastic minute.

 But should you follow where my eyes
 Like some pale lamp decoy you,
 Beware! lest suddenly I rise
 With love that shall destroy you.
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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 poem is deeply evocative, weaving a tale of ethereal mystery and dark allure through an exploration of the natural world. The primary themes appear to be mortality, nature, and the dangerous power of love, each explored with an almost haunting intensity. The poet uses rich, atmospheric imagery and a gothic tone to create a sense of the uncanny, painting a vivid picture of a ghostly figure moving through a damp, nocturnal landscape. The speaker identifies herself as "Death's immaterial daughter," suggesting a spectral existence at the border of life and death.

The structure of the poem, divided into four stanzas, aids in building the suspense and anticipation. Each stanza introduces a new aspect of the speaker's spectral existence, from her birth out of decay to her interactions with the other creatures of the night. The use of metaphor and personification are standout literary devices, transforming the night, the owl, and the snake into active participants in the poem's narrative. The final warning in the last stanza serves as a climax, revealing the speaker's potential to destroy with love. This unexpected twist offers a provocative exploration of the destructive power of love. The tone, while initially eerie and suspenseful, takes a sudden turn towards fatalistic romance, making for a compelling and thought-provoking read.

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.