Mysterious Doings

By Eugene Field

Ballad
    As once I rambled in the woods     I chanced to spy amid the brake     A huntsman ride his way beside     A fair and passing tranquil lake;     Though velvet bucks sped here and there,     He let them scamper through the green--     Not one smote he, but lustily     He blew his horn--what could it mean?     As on I strolled beside that lake,     A pretty maid I chanced to see     Fishing away for finny prey,     Yet not a single one caught she;     All round her boat the fishes leapt     And gambolled to their hearts' content,     Yet never a thing did the maid but sing--     I wonder what on earth it meant.     As later yet I roamed my way,     A lovely steed neighed loud and long,     And an empty boat sped all afloat     Where sang a fishermaid her song;     All underneath the prudent shade,     Which yonder kindly willows threw,     Together strayed a youth and maid--     I can't explain it all, can you?

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem enchants the reader with its pastoral landscape and the mysterious actions of its characters, inviting us to ponder about what lies beneath the surface of seemingly simple interactions. The theme revolves around the natural world and human behavior, suggesting that there might be more than meets the eye, a sentiment that is echoed in the poem's repeated questioning of what it all means.

The poem's tone is curious and a bit whimsical, with the speaker observing, yet not fully understanding, the scenes before them. The rhymed quatrains and regular rhythm lend the poem a sense of order and familiarity, which contrasts with the enigmatic behavior of the characters. The huntsman who refrains from hunting, the fishermaid who never catches a fish, and the pair wandering together under the willows, all evoke a sense of intentionality and purpose that contrasts with their actions—or lack thereof.

Notable literary devices include the use of personification, as seen in the "velvet bucks" that "sped here and there" and the fishes that "gambolled to their hearts' content," bringing the natural world to life and making it a vibrant participant in the poem's narrative. The repeated structure of each stanza—observation, question—creates a rhythm that guides the reader through the poem, while also highlighting the overarching theme of the complexity and mystery of life. Overall, the poem is a captivating exploration of the intersection between the natural world and human behavior, inviting readers to look beyond the surface and question what they see.

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.