The April Shower. (From The Villagers Verse-Book.)

By William Lisle Bowles

Ballad
     When rain-drops, glistening from the thatch,     Like drops of silver run,     Our old blind grandame lifts the latch,     To feel the cheering sun.      She sees no rainbow in the sky,     But when the cuckoo sung,     She thought upon the years gone by,     When she was blithe and young.      But God, who comforts want and age,     Shall be her only friend,     And bless her till her pilgrimage     In silent dust shall end.

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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 poignant exploration of aging, loss, and faith. The poet employs vivid imagery to describe the experiences of an elderly woman, "our old blind grandame," who, despite her blindness, is keenly attuned to the world around her. The rain-drops glistening from the thatch and the singing of a cuckoo act as palpable sensory reminders of her past. The tone is reflective, tinged with a sense of longing and nostalgia, yet there's an undercurrent of hope and resilience as well.

The poem's structure is neat and symmetrical, with four stanzas each composed of four lines. This structure mirrors the cyclic nature of life and time, which is a recurrent theme in the poem. The use of rhyme imbues the poem with a melodic quality that complements its contemplative mood. The poet also frequently uses metaphorical language, such as "drops of silver," to convey the grandame's sensory experiences. The poignant ending of the poem, which speaks of her impending death, encapsulates the theme of faith. Despite her hardships, the grandame finds solace in her belief in God, who will "bless her till her pilgrimage / In silent dust shall end." This ending offers a thought-provoking commentary on the human condition, the inevitability of death, and the role of faith as a source of comfort and strength in the face of life's trials.

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.