Tees Is Submitted in Partial Setiefaction for The
DEATH 11 an; BALLAD .
TEES IS
Subm i tt e d in Part i a l Set i e fa c t i on for the De gre e o f
MASTER 93 LETTERS
in the
IVE TY L N UN RS I 93 CA IFOR IA .
B y Agne s McDouge ll .
Ma . y , 1 908
I B B L I O G B A. P H Y
Al e n P i S u l , h lip ch yl e r
t e Po a P S ud i s in pul r o e try . Un e s Chi c a o P s s 1 9 iv r i ty o f g re , 03 .
m s W am ( Ed . ) Ar e , i l l i Dall am
d E ad an d Ol ngl i sh B al l s Fo lk Songs .
Macm a C om an 1 04 . i l l n p y , 9
c a Ed . Chi ld , Fran i s J me s ( )
d P B a Engl i sh an Sc o t t i sh opul ar all d s .
Ho ht on M i C om an 1 898 . us , i ffl n p y ,
‘ C ou t l r e n ay , . L .
The Ide a o f T rage dy . We s m s e 1 t in t r , 900 .
Ca a e s M s yl ey , Ch rl i l l M C e r t and art in . Flah y
t e P Po e try o f h e op l e .
G n m a 1 903 . in C o p ny ,
Gumme r e a , Fr nc i s Ba rt on
Old Engl i sh Ba llad s .
Athe na e um. Pr e s s s S e r ie , 1 901 .
P The opular Ball ad . M m a Hought on , i ffl in C o p ny , 1 9 07 .
a W M H rt , al t e r orr i s
Ba l d n d E l a a p i c . Stud i e s and N o t e s in Phil o l ogy and e L i t rature , 1 9 07 .
P a t e r o fe s s or Child n d h Ball ad . Pub l i c at i on s o f the M o d ern Language
A s s o c i at ion 4 .
l ar t ine o - Ce a r e s c o s s E ng s , C ount e ve lyn
s Es says in the Study o f Folk S ong .
G e R wa n n 1 88 6 . orge e d y , Lo d o ,
He e Sargent , l n Child ,
a K e ma ( Ed . § n d i t tr dge , Ge orge Ly n
Engl i sh an d S c o tt i sh. P 0 pul ar Balla d .
Chi ld Franc i s Jame s .
‘
o t on M i ffl in m a 1 904 . H ugh , C o p ny ,
W a Fra c s h i te , Ann n e
B all ad Tre atme nt o f Fac t . L U s The s i s for M . . , niver ity o f a 9 4 C l i forni a , 1 0 .
W E o odbr idge , l i zabe th
The am It s w an d T Dr a La e chni que . ' Lams on wo l ffe m a 89 , C o p ny , 1 8 .
PERIOD ICALS .
’
.mme r i can Jo r a o f Phi l o l o a 4 . u n l gy , 5 P ge 6 6
a s T . E h and S s P D vid on , ngl i s c ot t i h opul ar
Ball ad .
hau a a 5 . 595 . C t uqu n , 5 p
P C . ld a a a s . i e r c e , . L . In O B l l d D y
s . Fra e r , 88 p 648 .
W M . ad a . atkins , . G Int o Bal l L nd
. a a M 1 . 9 . H rv rd onthly , 3 p 2
M c . The a a . c ull o ch , H J . B ll d
a . 5 5 . N t i on , 59 p 2
' K . L Gumme r e s Old En s i t t re dge , G . gl i h
Ba llad s .
N n e i e t e nth C entury , 54 p . 5 7 8 .
Ma cDona h M. ; a ad s g , B ll o f the P e op l e .
FRENCH .
a e J . Bl d , F .
P és e s P a s la G o i opul ire d e as c ogne . M s e e P s 8 8 - ai onn uv , ari , 1 1 8 2 .
Bu e aud s j , Jee ,
Chan t s e t Chan s on s P opula ire s d e s Provinc e s ' de l 0ue s t .
N 1 . i o rt , 89 5
on c e ux G D i , e orge
o P Le R man c ér o opul a i re de la Franc e .
E B P 1 904 . . ou ill on , ari s ,
am L be rt , Lou i s
Chant s e t Chan s on s P opul a ire s du Languedo c .
W P s 1 906 . H . el t e r , ari ,
a s E eo T i e r s o t , Je an B p t i t e l i s Jul ien
e Hi s t o ire d e la Chans on P op ul a ire e n Franc .
E . P n e t N Pa l o ourr i t , r i s , 1 88 9 .
Hacke rli n , J e an Bap t i s t e Théo d o r e
a s s P s du P s d Ch n on opul a ire ay e Fran ce . i n M e e s Pa s 1 903 n tre l , r i , .
L PAnc i e nn e a s P a r n Ch n on opul ire en F a c e . Ga F s P s 1 8 rni e r re re , ar i , 8 7 .
PERIOD ICAL S .
R ue d e s De ux .Mond e 7 7 34 . ev s , p . 9
o t Em L e s a s P a s Burn u , il e Ch nt opul i re
l e P l a in Chant .
e e e . 9 1 . R vue de s De ux M nd s , 79 p 5
M o é l E . a a la F e s . Le u , B l l d e de il u e
e R ma s 1 8 . 5 . Re vue d s Langue s o ne , p
Chans ons Popula ire s .
Chans ons H i s t or i que s .
a 1 . 354 . Romani , p
a s s Fo r e z i e nn e s . Smi th , Vi c t or Ch n on
Roman a i , 2 p .
Sm h r a s i t , Vi c t o Ch nt d e GuSt e s .
R man a o i , 2 p . 455 .
m c P S ith , Vi t or Chan t s d e auvre s .
R ma a o ni , 3 p . 91 .
Pu ma i re . d e y g , Th Chant s Popul a i r e s a ' V l l i e d O s s e au .
Roma a 4 n i , p . 437
Sm i th , Vi c t or Chant s du Ve l ay e t Fo re z .
R ma a 4 1 0 . o n i , p . 9
' Mi ra cl e du Je su a
ma a 7 . . Ro ni , p 53
m e s a s s . S i th , Vi c t or Vie l l Ch n on
a 8 Romani , 9 p . 73
kn e . an s s Fran a i s e s . St i c y , A Ch on c
R a 9 . 547 . oman i , p
' Sm Ma a a s 1 Ran t F e . i th , Vi c t or r i ge d n o r z
R ma a 1 o ni , 0 p . 36 4 .
a Em a Legr nd , i l e Ch n s on s P opul a ire s - Font e nay ~ l e Marmi on
Roma a 1 0 n i , p . 98 .
Pa s G ri , a s t on Ve r s i ons Inéd i t e s de Je an Renaud .
m n a 0 7 Ro a i , 1 p . 58 .
T aus s e r o t R s P a s . , J . onde opul ire
ma a 1 . . Ro n i , 2 p 1 1 4
G s n N e s s s d e la han s Par i s , a t o ouvel l Ve r i on C on
Renaud .
a a 1 . 30 7 . Rom n i , 2 p
o La a e F a . G i ll i e r n , J . C l ir ont ine
a a 1 . 595 . Rom n i , 2 p
s N s la a T e r t i ault , F . Chans on de o c e de H ut e
Burgogn e .
O U T L I B E
DEATH. IN THE BALLAD .
A. C ompara t iv e Study o f the S our c e s o f Tragi c
t P Effe ct in he Engl i sh an d Fr e n ch opul ar Ba l l ad s .
P I . Dramat i s er s ona e .
a . Bank .
b . Chara ct er i z at i on .
0 . Rel a t i on sh ip .
P I I . l o t .
D e ath fe ign ed . e a a e D th ve rt d . d e mann e r o f m e e t in g a th .
1 . Na tural .
2 . Su i c i d e .
3 . P o i s on ing .
d v i n . 4 . D e a S a g d 5 . A c c i e n t a l .
6 . Chi ldb i rth .
7 . . C omb at e 8 . L ov .
a n I II . mot i v t i o .
a . . H on or
e d a . b . Es c ap i sgr c e
e e a e . c . V ng nc
e . d . J al ou s y
V I . S e tt ings .
a . T ime . e b . Pla c .
M en ta l St a t e s .
a . Gr ie f . b Rem o r s e
e VI . World a ft er D a th .
a n a . He ave n d He l l . e n b . Sp ir i t s r tur o m 1 . T o c fort ,
o n . 2 . T c o vi ct
n s a . VI I . C o nvent i o o f De th
e a n a . Imp r c t i o .
s e n . b . T e t am t
e n . c . P o rt t
d . Bur ia l .
an d Na a n . VI I I . Act i on rr t i o
e s . a . Su s p n e
b . M ove me nt .
c . D ia l og .
Summary .
" The Rcuman i ans c al l de ath the b e tro the d o f the w orld "
a a a s as n ow she w s In b l l d d y , , a c on s t antly c all ing he r b e l ove d
a s ove r the b orderl nd t o her e l f , l e av ing tho s e beh ind eve r
w n at m s . T t o der ing the y t e ry o f i t hi s exp er i ence , w i th i s
fam i l ia rity an d i t s s tran gen e s s wa s nev e r far fr om the c om
muna l s ut s n d he art a i t p i t e l f int o s o g , an even thr ough the
e m e y ar s i t c o s t o us in the b allad s .
I . DRAMAT IS PERSQNLE .
In c o n s ider ing the ge n e ral sub j e c t ma t t e r
the b all ads in w a i s an e e m e n i s e e s s a o f , hi ch d e th l t , i t n c ry
e e i n t e n t o know what ki n d o f p eo p l t ak p a rt h a c t i o .
From all t i me i t has s e em e d fi tt ing that char a c t e r s in trage dy
e e and m e m d n a e a e should b ab ov , re ov d fro or i ry l i f , rul t o
w a a e s n s s ms . hi ch the b ll ad natur l ly , p rhap u c on c i ou ly , c on for
a . Rank .
a ad s k s ar e In the Engl i sh b ll , ing ve ry
W s a fre que n tly p re s ent . e fin d that Earl Brand ( 5 ) c ourt
d th an e s qu ire in the Bonny Hind The w ome n c orr e s p o n d i n rank w i th the m e n ; d i ffe r e n t b a ll ad s p r e s e nt qu e e n s an d a s a s E an l d i e , , Que en le or Que en margar e t in
F l odde n Fi e ld Qu e en Gu in evere i n The Bo y an d the Man tl e the Fa ir Fl owe r o f N orthumb e rl an d the
' d aught e r o f an e arl ; L ady J e an a ki ng s d aught e r ; and
e a r e e s a s am m s e ther o th r b e ring th i t it l e , ong the , L a dy I ab l
Pr oud La dy M a rgar e t and Lad y Barna rd
O ft en m e mb e r s o f the l ow e r cla s s e s have a p a rt in the
a a n s mk n 9 m s n m e Twa t r gi c ct i o , a L a i ( 3 ) the a o ; the i l l r in
' S i s t e r s Gla s ge r i on s Lad the h igh s t e w ard in
C ap t a i n Car an d the fo o tp age in L itt l e mu s gr ave an d
a Ba n T w m e an s ar e n o t s o mm n L dy r a rd he o en s rv t c o o , but the b ow e r w oman in Young Hunt in g and the nur s e in
L amkin ( 93 ) ar e e s s e n t i al .
The rul e o f rank hold s go od in the Fr en ch a s wel l a s
t e T e e i a in h Engl i sh b all a d s . h r s a d aught er o f king s i t t in g a t the fo o t o f a t ow e r ( W it i s the king who c omman d s Is amb ourg t o ma rry ( W an i n fan t king i s the c e nt e r o f one b a l l ad ( R X an d the day a ft e r hi s mar r i age a s ol di er go e s t o s e rve as Ma j e s t é ( R VI I
Je an. Re naud i s the c ou s in o f the king ( R I I in
' ano the r bal la d ther e i s the Ro i d Honge r i ( R IV the r e a r e fe w u n s i e s o q e e , but one s r p r e ent e d thr ugh he r d aught e r
R 1 1 and a e ( ano the r pp ar s p e r s onally a s a Je a l ou s w i fe .
F s ar e k adm e s The r ench nobl e rep re s ent ed , for the ing i r the w i fe o f a marqu i s ( R IV Is amb ourg i s c arr ie d t o bur ia l by thr e e p r inc e s an d a cheva l i e r ( W the fathe r as ks the ma id at the fo o t o f the t ow e r ( W — 6 5 )
Yvoul e z - s un a s vou c ont e , b r on , ou e igneur ?
The French s o ld i e r ho ld s ap p r ox imat e ly the s ame p o s i t i on that the Engl i s h o r S c o tt i s h kni ght d o e s in the ba l la d ;
i s s the m s e e W he p e rhap o t fr qu nt figure . e find a c ap ta in who d emand s the daught e r in p l a c e o f the fa ther ( W - 73 )
R a s d who i s n d k W — l 8 a a i e ob in , ol i er , fo d o f r in ( 2 ) ; chev l r who kil l s hi s l ove ( R x- zoo ) ; a ma i d en who l ov e s a c ap ta in
' aga ins t he r m othe r s w i sh e s ( R X a s old i e r re turning
s n d a w home unre c ogn i z e d by hi m o th e r ( R I. a young i fe who l ov e s a s o l d i er b e t t e r than the man s he ha s b e en for ced t o ma rry ( R I Th e r e ar e man y ba ll ad s whi ch t e l l o f
e a a s n d s e a e s s a a l a d w thr e c p t in , a ev r l v r i on o f b l in hi ch thr e e c ap t a in s an d a ma id figur e ( R VI — 36 9 ) In a ba ll ad
' a e La F l Ho t e s s e — c l l d i ll e d e ( R X. 70 ) th e r e a r e thr e e
s s T o o l d i e r o f ul ou s e .
The rank o f the w om e n i s har d e r t o d e t e rm in e i n the F e n a in the E s fo r he r s ke r ch th n ngl i h , t y a e o ft e n p o n
" " " ' o f s imp ly a s fil l e or j e un e fi ll e but th e r e ar e a fe w
x e n s o n e e s the m d t the o the e c p t i o , for in v r i on , a i a f o t o f
w e i s the da e the k n S a n d the e e n t o r ught r o f i g o f p in , a qu , the m e an k i s m n e d i an he b a l o th r o f in fant ing . ent i o n o t r
a e m s e e ake l d . Th wo an s e rvan t an d s h e phe rd e s s m s t o t
" the e " - a E s a a p l a c o f the t iny fo o t p ge o f the ngl i h b ll d ,
but s eld om ha s an imp ort an t p a rt in the tragi c a ct i on .
e - a s e e d s s In . La Fil e tt e e t l o Cheva l i r ( R X 1 98 ) h p h r e
' p o int s out the way ; in L Aub e rge du Cr ime ( R X - 209 ) an d
' e a ma d s e a La Fil l e d e l Hot e s s e ( R 1 the r i s i rv nt ,
' and in an o th e r b all ad the king s nur s e .
Th e re i s on e cl a s s o f s o c i e ty whi ch i s much m o re ime
n i n En s a a s s e p ort ant in the Fr e n ch tha the gl i h b l l d , the ju t i c
' T e s e at the a s and the ge n e d arme s . he y o ft n t p in l t
n n d n s the d e a s M e d e l a Mi e m i ut e , a pu i h evil o r , in Le eurtr
Pa s s a e du B s ( E. X ( R Ke l 9 7 ) ; S oror i c i d e ( R X g o i
In Le Vol de 1 ' Hat e ( R X — 2 0 7 ) the judge s o f Va l e n c e d e l ive r
' ' 1 3 . u u W m h Hol d , p , ho ld , p , Lord il l i a , s e s ays ,
' ' Fo r fe ar I tha t you ar e s l a in ;
' T i s n the s a w m s a e ak o thing but h d o o f y c rl t c l o ,
s e a ‘ Tha t hine s in the wat r s e p 1 a in .
Patr i ck Sp ens ( 58 ) in the d i fferent ver s i on s exp r e s s e s
e a man who n w i hi a br av ry o f k o s he s go ing t o s de th ,
B W a o e . 4 . hen P tr i c k l o kd the l e tt r on ,
He ga e l oud l aught e r s thr e e ;
B t w n the e n d u a fore he a t o o f i t ,
The t e ir bl i n d i t hi s e s .
' m d w m 0 . 1 5 . C ome d own , c o e o n , y p re tty b oy ,
I fe ar w e her e maun d i e
n m s Fo r thro a d thro y go odly hip ,
‘ - s e a I s e e the gr e en wave d .
‘ n 0 d k m m s me n al l E . 6 . Dri k , r in , y erri ,
t e e n d Dr ink 0 h b e r a w ine ,
' W s wa Ehr gin. e d n s day by t l o cl o ck ,
' ' ‘ We l l a b e i n our l ang hame .
0 m e ,
' T o s e nd m e s m 0 the e i r out thi t i e y ,
' T o s ai l up on the s e !
' 6 . Ma a s mak a s m m i rr m e n al l ke h t , e h t , y y ,
Our c ‘ gu id s hip s a i l s the m orne .
Johnny .Arms t r ong ( 1 6 9 ) i s ano the r o f the b a ll ad typ e o f
a as s a br very he ys ,
A . 1 6 . F m m e m e n a ll ight on , fight on , y rry ,
And s e e that n o n e o f you b e t a in e ;
n n d w Fo r I w i l l s t a d by a bl e e d but a hi l e ,
And then I w il l c om e and fight aga in s .
And in Johni e C o ck
' I m . r s e s t i cke ra A . 3 . The re a e ven for s t e r a S id e ,
P cke am w e w e Ay i r he re th y d l l ,
' An d d r o e a s d for a p o f thy h rt blu i ,
' They wad ride the fo r d s o f hell
' he s w d Johny got t en o r o f that ,
' And he s turna w on drou s ke e n
' He s ut r e d s p o ff the c arl e t t ,
' .And he s ut p on the L in c oln gr e en .
W a s a a w s hi s e i th he f o f rro by s id ,
An d a b ow hi s an d bent in h ,
' He s m s e ount e d on a p ranc ing t ed ,
An d e h s a t e h a r i dden f s t o e r h s tr and .
Th i s i s the cha r a c t e ri s t i c a t t i tud e o f the me n t o ward s
the w m n n a s e d e a th ; o e fa c e i t not o ly c our ge ou ly , but ven
a M m 73 n d e m e d j unt i ly . ary Ha i lt on ( 1 ) c o n t o d ie ,
’ ' ' o w i e e s . B m e a f n s h a s A . 1 2 . r ing b o t t le , y ,
e r ha s The b e s t tha t e ye ,
Tha t I ma y dr ink t o my w e i l - w i s her s
m ‘ And the y m ay drink t o e .
n t the s ake s a s Lady Ma i s ry ( 6 5 ) burni g a t , y ,
1 t 2 . S yfl e y up on he r wall s he s t o d e
An d l et t the p e l e t t e s fl e e .
Ell en But l e r ( 1 6 5 ) warn s he r fath e r o f the en tran c e o f hi s
m e ene i s ,
T me w E u e hen c a d o n ll en B t l r ,
' And he r ffa t e r int o h s hall ,
A. n d am w E then c e d o n ll en But l e r ,
e And sh s wa s l a c ed in p all .
' T i t :fih e r E he re s hy th , ll en But l e r ,
an d m e s Have done , t ell i tt ;
' M f s o n d r d e y fi the r i n w t o Lo on i d n ,
m e As Chri s t sh a ll hav e p art o f .
t e Ba ks 0 F 1 4 s i s In Babyl on , or h Bonn i e n o rd i e , ( L the thi rd
s s t e r ay ,
' ' ' s w A . 9 . I l l not b e a rank r obb er i fe ,
‘ N o r w ill I d i e by your we e p e n kn i fe .
'
. t i s w For I has a br o the r i n h o od ,
' ' ’ m e i t s . And gin ye ki ll , he l l ki ll the e
The r e no t m n are a cowar . i n . the y d ballad s , but the Elf
K ( 4 a s s a a s s night ) be t r y thi ch r c t er i t i c a he s ays ,
' 0 . 1 0 0 0 m m C e , he lp , , help , y ay olv n ,
' 0 s ow he lp , or e l e I ll dr n ,
' ' a e o u m s w I l l t k y ho e t o your fathe r b o er ,
’ And s e t you d own s a fe an d s ound .
a a e e e In. m ny o f the b tt l e b all ad s the c ow ard i c o f the o th r s id
i s k a s i n F e F e d sp o en o f , l odd n i l
T e S s 9 . h n p re s ently the c ot d id fl i e ,
The ir c annons they l e ft b ehind
T e e a w wo ll aw a he i r n s ign s g y e re n a y ,
Our s oul d i er s d id b e a t s them b l i nd s .
The Batt l e o f Har l aw
e . s l i e ra chi A . 2 0 An i c c an a ,
' s aw I m sur e ye never ,
As w i s amo the Hi e l anme n ,
When th e y s aw Ma cd one ll fa .
2 1 . .An d w s aw a he w as d e hen they th t id ,
u a The y t rned n ran awe .
The Ri s ing in the No rth
40 . .And Ffran c i s No r t t on and hi s e ight s onn e s ,
. ffl e d aw m s w Are ay o t c o ar dlye .
' King Henry F i fth s C onqu e s t o f Fr ance
1 2 . We ki lld s n F e t en thou a d o f the r nch ,
’ A the s o t t a a nd re t f he m. he y r n aw y .
- Iu. e F s B s m ke n th rench b all ad , o i Gi ll e i s uch l i the E gl i s h
a s m a w t e c s ma a e b ll ad o f c o b t , ith h u t o ry br v he ro , but the re d o no t s e e m t o b e s o many examp l e s o f thi s in the Fre n ch
' - I t s om . v as in the Engl i s h . n Le Vo l de 1 fi ( R x zo )
an d s a s man i s s ent e nc e d t o b e hange d fo r s t e al ing , he y ,
e t 6 . R o s s i gn o l s auvage ,
a Qui p rl e t out l angage ,
- - ' m Va t e n d i r e a ma e re ,
The F e a a Tra i t r e Eo é - R . r nch b ll d , Le y ( K l 99 ) , whi ch c orr e s
' p ond s t o the Engl i s h Lady I s ab e l and Elf Kni ght p re
s e s a ac s w mu nt ch r t e r ith ch. the same att i tude in fa c ing
a e a d e th , xcep t th t the lady in o n e o f the ver s i ons e x
e p r s s e s more fe a r .
— ( R X 1 9 8 7 . La m i t o e ) be l l e gen u en t rre ,
L e s ma s o s l e e rm ' ux e ar in j int e , la a y .
Thi s tra i t in b a ll ad charac t er s whi ch imp e l s them t o m e e t
a a a d d d s e . The e a d e th un fr i , a t o the t ragi c ffe ct d th
a wa s n o t s n e a m the e a o f c o rd d o e cau e a y gr t e o t ion in r der , wh il e the s truggl e an d d e ath o f an even ord inar i ly br ave man d o e s ; s o the tr agi c e ffe c t o f br ave ry re a che s a ve ry
n a a s w me n m e e the a e a high p o int i the b l l d , her e t f t th t
an d s a s e a s t e . 0 e m awa i t s h m p n eye d , a a t t e r o f c our , b olute
e ly c ar e l e s s o f the ir own l iv s .
0 . R a s e l t i on hip .
In the s e b all ad traged i e s the me mb er s
am ar e m e n o f the f i l y c ircl e o r e o ft n i volved than no t ,
w the m a s the m s e n ' i th o the r o t fre qu t figur e . In Will i e s
ad 6 she i s a w E B L y ( ) i t ch , but in arl rand ( 7 ) she i s kind
and re ce iv e s the l over s ; in Edward ( 1 3 ) he r p o s i t i on can
' on ly b e gu e s s e d fr om the s on s cur s e i n the e n d ; in the
Cruel M other ( 2 0 ) she t ake s the l i fe o f he r b ab e s t o p ro t e c t
e he r s l f . The m o ther an d al l the family t ake p art i n th e
burning o f Lady Mai s ry Lord Th oma s ge t s a dvi c e from
a m e m the fam n i r A. nn e t n d ws e ch b er o f ily c o c erning Fa , a foll o
h m ' n d i m who a r i s other s , a i t s the o the r find s S i r Hugh ft e
' e a w e the Jew s daught e r ha s kil l ed him . In th b ll ad s he r
" " s i s n e a a wa s the the re fr a in Mak my b ed i s u ed , it rly l y m w o i s e d a s d Ra d a Ea other h c a ll up on , in Lor n l rl
e an u im o r Brand and man y o ther s . The fath r i s n p
e n d i s s m m e an m e n e d t ant char a ct r , a el d o or th nt i o , i f he
' e t a a s n S e s s a app ar s a ll , , Joh i e c o t l ov the king d ught er
an d in Ma id Fr e e d fr om the Gal l ow s ( 9 5 ) he i s in the
c a t egory o f r e l a t iv e s .
Pe a c e f o r a l i tt l e whi l e
M i nks s e e m own e e th I y fa th r ,
m d b t e C o e r i ing y h s t i l e .
' K s o c t a J a 52 i s ing D h er L dy e n ( ) he s e en for a m oment .
1 2 . s s e u Ho oly , go oly ra e h p ,
s he a hams And ho oly g de ,
U t she am he r ' n il c e t o father s p arl our ,
And e s he d ther i d s i ck an d mane .
1 4 . He r a am e n wn the s a f ther he c tr ip p i g d o t ir ,
H s e i s t ep s they w e r fu s l ow .
Br o th e r s a r e a m or e fam i l i ar figur e ; in many b all a d s th e re
r e s e e e m a s Ea B n an d E i nt o a v n o f th , in rl ra d rl n
' T The Gay Go s hawk W i ll i e s Lyke ake and in
C l e rk Saunders ( 6 9 ) whe r e the s e ve n bro th e r s o f May Ma rgar e t kil l the l ove r ; or i n Fa ir Margare t an d Swe e t Will iam
c onfi d en c e s o f her d aught e r in La B i ch e Bl an ch e ( W d e mand s
’ the d e a th o f he r d aught e r — i n - law in Le Ea r i meurtr i er
( R 1 kill s her daught e r in Le M eurtre d e la F i l l s
1 ' ( R and he r s on in Le Ma i tre s s e d Aub erge ( R 1
s he r a r o the a t el l d ught e no t t o g t o b l l ( R. I and Je an
R na a s hi s m e e e ud c l l up on o th r t o mak hi s b e d ( R XI ) .
She d o e s not s e em t o b e sp oken o f s o o ft en as in Engl i s h w s he i s s t mmo here p re en in the c o np la c e ,
' ‘ 0 m ma m b e , ithe r , k y d .
The a a s E s i s s a an c a a . f the r , in ngl i h , u u lly in id ent l char ct er
In on e ba l l ad he give s up hi s d aught er t o s ave him s e l f ( it
' an d i s me re ly menti one d in ano ther ( W M on p ere avo i t
' P d eux gar co n s . In Le a s s age du Bo i s the father r e c o gni z e s
' the d aught e r s murd e r e r s by he r r ings ( R X in La Fi ll s
' 1 H s s a w s the e R - 7 0 d e ot e e , the f ther fo ll o d aught r ( VI ) he ca rr i e s n e w s o f a d e ath i n Sont Tro i s Je un e s Cad e t s
P e d e u . I ( Bu j . 1 an d in a rr i c i d kill s the aught r ( B j I
The bro th e r s ar e n o t found i n the s am e r e curr ing
L F e e t l e a e numb er as i n En gl i sh . In a il t te Chev l i r , the re
e s a n a s ar e thre e br other s ( R X but m or u u lly o ly one ,
in La Bi che Bl anche ( W in the o th e r ba ll ad s a br o the r
' rep r ove s the mo ther fo r hi s s i s t er s d e a th ( R VI kil l s hi s s i s te r ( R V I I t ake s he r t o the b al l
( R I I or inqu ire s for he r ( R V Five t ake
a in M m r ée és r s e e e s p rt La au a i Veng p a e Fr r ( Don . XI I ) .
S i s t e r s s e em t o ap p e ar w i th s i s t e r s e v e n l e s s than
- he in Engl i sh . In In fant i c id e ( R x soz) ( Bu j . 1 1 s
e s e e s e s giv advi c e from th gal l ow s c on c ern i ng h r s i t r .
' It i s the s i s t e r o f La Ma i tre s s e d Aub erge who
t e r e c ogn i z e s h ne p hew .
The mm n the a e s a e u s d e c o u i ty , l rg r o c i l c i rcl o t i
t am i s n s e e s e e d . i s S k he f i ly , o ly l i ghtly r p r nt It p o en o f n e ga t ively i n Earl Brand ( 7 )
' ' T e o vr m s s an ths r e e mu A . 6 . he r o ov r ir ,
An the y s aw n e i the r r i ch n o r p o o r .
In the Cruel Br oth e r
i a d and m an a kn B . 1 2 . any l or y ight
C am e t o b e ho ld tha t l a d i e bri ght .
s w w d s Li t tle Mu sgr av e an d Lady Barn ard ( 81 ) cp e n i th the or ,
r e n un m e n an d ma i d s t e t h e d i d 0 6 yo g og r 3 ,
T e m s h ir a tt in and ma s s e t o he ar s .
The Fr e n ch s ho w s tw o in s t anc e s n e ar e r t o our i d e a o f c om e
m e R uni ty , S or i c id ( X
' L ' ‘ e s vo i s in s d e l entour .
P i e rr e d e Gren obl e ( R VI I
" ‘ Qu e d ir ont l e s ge n s d e Grenobl e d e c e s am our e ux ?
The re i s a d i s t inc t tragi c e ffe ct i n t he fa c t tha t the ba l
s t s s s n l ad s c onc e rn th e ms elve w i th he cl o e t fam i ly t i e , a d
t e a n the mmun t a m s e n w i th h ind ividu a l , l e v i g out c o i y l o t
s s a t s o s as t i r e ly . No thing imp re s e l i s ene r trongly
t o he ar o f s ome trage dy whi ch take s p l ac e b e tw e e n tho s e by who ar e b oun d bl o od . 1
la s as w r e He y d oun ju t he a d a d ,
And hi s w in d i n s she e t u hi s d t o ok g ro nd he a ,
e the ma hi s e - a He gi d b e ll n b ll gr o t ,
n hi s e t ' To r i g de ad b ll a hi s l ov e r s ye t t .
As s he w a ke a e the t e l d fr c ourt t o h p arl our the re ,
The pr e t ty c orp s e s yn e b egan for t o s t e e r .
In the Fr e nch thi s d evi ce o f l ove r s i s ve ry c ommon ; the m o s t
am s xam e i s I s amb our W 2 7 2 . who n r e f ou e p l g ( ) ( Don VI ) , , up o
' us n o k mma d m a i s a f i g t o bey the ing s c o n t o arry l ord , p l c ed
a s he s e s a a in a t ow e r . S o on ft e r , e her l over pp ro ch ing ,
a e s s s a s and s h p as e , y ,
' m o a Ma l ade e t m ort e y f r y ,
m ' a i r P ort er e n t e rre y l ay ,
P ourt an t mo rt e j e ne s e ray .
an d s he i s n a d Whil e the be ll s ar e s ound ing , b e i g c rr i e t o
e e a s an d s O n the s w hi s bur i a l , h r l over app r cut p e hroud i th k w ni fe , hi l e
33
' Uh r i s am e ll d our lui j e t t a .
The a e a a e s the e he r e d ught r o f j i l o r b g l i f o f l ov r , but i s
r e fu s ed ; up on the ap p e a ran c e o f t he hangman and ju dge s he
a s a an d the e f l l , fe igning de th , l ov r s ays ,
" Couvr i s s e z - la d e mon man t e au
Et m - l e t t e z a d an s m on t omb e au .
e i s e m e w an d s e The judg ov rc o i th p i ty , a s h c om e s t o l i fe
mme a e a ws e m m - i d i t ly , ll o th t o b e a rr i e d . ( R VI I 7 5 )
In a b a l l ad c al l e d Le Mar i és a C ontre Gr é ( R VI I a ma i d e n
" " 1 e s a a n i s ma e a o l d m n . l ov j ol i g rco , but rr i t o ri ch a
. e tw o m n s s he s d e s a n d i s d n A ft r o th fall ill , i , bur i e the i gh t
e e n . He e s the r a e d e who e s he r l ov r r tur s brib g v igg r , op n
the e an d the a d e n s e . L e S da gr av , l y r tur t o l i f In o l t e u C ouv e nt ( R VI I a m a id i s p l a c e d i n a c o n v e n t ; he r
e s s e e he r n e i n d e e t hi s and l ov r a s k t o o c , or r t o g tr o th ,
e t r e u s the abb e s s c o n s e n t s out o f p i ty . h n he n ov i ce t rn
the n he a s a s e ad e n whe n the d i s o e e , r i g , f ll i f d ; th o o r p n d
In an e a a the ar i s e s an d t ake s hi s l a dy away . oth r b ll d ,
e i s s - on H I mo t iv l ightly d i ffe r e nt ( R x zss ) ( D . )
1 34
Thr e e cap ta ins t ake a ma i d en away by for ce ; th e y d ine a t
inn , and m s the r e e at she s e the in the id t o f p fe i gn d a th .
1 1 8 . A. t the e nd o f thre e day s her father walks by the
m an d t o b he ar s he r s ay ,
I ' z z ma t omb s m on e i ms Leve , le ve , che r p re b i en a ,
‘ Tro i s j our s j ar fa it l a mo rt e p our m on honn e ur
‘ gard e r .
a s w n m k The e s y , unque t i on ing ay i Whi ch the s e o c trage d i e s ar e p re s e nt e d i s cha ra c t e ri s t i c o f the b a ll a d ma t n d e nner o f hought a xe cut i on .
e e . b . D ath Av rt ed
In many o f the ba l l a d s the d e a th wh i ch
t e a s a s om thre at ens i s urn d id e , o ft en by the v l or o f e
u aw s . R and hi s char a c t e r , e s p e c i a l ly o f o t l ob in Ho od me n go t o re s cue the thre e s qu i r e s who have b e en c ond e mn e d
t o d e ath .
Or thro you thi s s al l gang ! ‘
s a a a a id th t g y l dy ,
' ‘ Br own A. dam. t ar r ys l ang!
T u w . hen p it s t art s Br o n Adam ,
' ' s I m s t ha ‘ S ay , ju t a your n .
' l ill i am o f Cl o ude s l e y ( 1 1 6 ) and Ki nmont Wi l l i e ( 1 86 ) ar e s aved by the ir b old brother outl aw s . Wi t s erv e s ne arly a s e as a r s e s and a s a 4 o ft n v l o t o p re erv l ive , L dy I b e l ( )
e i s the b e s t examp l e . She emp l oys d i fferent d evi c s in the d i ffe rent v e r s i on s t o ke ep the El f Knight fr om carryi ng
out hi s thre a t .
' 1 0 s t w w e la e a on m kn e A . . 0 , i d o n a hil , y your h d y e ,
‘ a That we may ha s s ome r e s t b e fore th t I d ie .
' a s the n a e he e e 1 1 . She s tr oak d him s fa s t , e r r d id cr p ,
T i a sma cha rm she lull d hi m fas t as l e ep .
’ ' I m a s he s a s B . 1 1 . S ince a s t nd ing he re , y ,
' d i e Th i s d ow i e d e a th t o ,
On e ki s s 0 your c ome ly m outh
‘ ‘ I m. sur e wad c omfort me .
ou him o e r hi s s d e He l t ed ad l b o w ,
T o ki s s her che ek and chin ;
‘ s a him i n m s She t en he r ar twa ,
wn him e An thro h adl ong i n .
have the s ame .
‘ ‘ 0 n n she s , tur ab out , S ir Joh , a id ,
‘ Y r k a me ou ba c b out t o ,
F or i t neve r was c ome ly for a man
‘ A naked woman t o s e e .
But as he turned him round ab out
She threw him in the s e a .
‘ e c r 0 Go fe t ch the s i ckl , t o p the ne tt l e ,
t e m That gr ows s o ne ar h bri ,
e e m ks For f a r i t should t angl y gold en l o c ,
‘ s k 0 r fre ckl e my m i lk Whi t e in .
38
He s c r 0 fe t che d the i ckl e t o p the ne t tle ,
T a ws s o a h t gr o ne r the brim ,
And w ith al l the s t rength tha t Pre tty P olly
s the She pu hed fa l s e kn ight in .
The que e n begs the l i fe o f young Logi e for May Margaret USA)
and i s us e w t re f ed , but by her r ady i help s them t o e s c ap e .
Sup e rna tu ral m e an s o f ward ing o ff d e a th a r e found
' s a a in ever l b a l l d s . Lady I s ab e l lull s the El f Knight
" " ' fa s t a s le ep v i a charm ; Wi l l i e s Lady ( 6 ) and b ab e ar e
s a e m a m w s ved by the r oval o f the d e a th ch r , h i ch i given in
a T k e e d t e s 0 a d e t il . he n ine w i t ch no t s ar l o o s , h p a ine c re
m bu s w ak n wn and the ma s ki d r e oved , the h o f o odb ine t e d o , t er
e e a s a m kill e d . In Le e s ome Br and ( 1 5 ) th r i s p o i t ive ch r
w e i the a for l i fe ; hi s mo ther t el l s him. he r t o f nd gr y horn
St P ‘ s c o nt a ining thre e drop s o f . aul bl o od .
a two hi s a s A . 47 . The n. he dr p p e d on l dy ,
o s o n And an s 0 the m o n hi s y ung ,
a e And n ow they d o s l iv l y b e ,
e m hams As the fir s t day b e brought th .
w and T m L int o the i r p o e r , a in ( 39 ) i s a s t ory o f how a ma id
s a s m m i s " ve her l ove r fro the , fo r he t o b e p a id as a t i e n d
' t o he ll .
" On a w e w n d t m k H l l o e n , he the fa iry fo lk r i e a the ir
" and m n hi s w s s im m hi id i ght hour , true l ove a a it , pul l h fro s m i lks whi t e s e an d e s o whi l e he a e s om an t ed , neve r l t g , ch ng fr a d a a o d 0 n an d a d e r t o gray hound , re d he t g ir o , fin ll y t o
w hi s o n human s hap e . The re ar e ways o f avo i d i ng a trage dy
b e a s e d e a w i t and the b e s ide s tho s e whi ch can cl s und r v l o r , ,
. 0 s b e a d w e d a sup ernatural . A kn ight ( 1 1 ) i t o h nge or
‘ shep h e rd s d aught e r ; he d o e s the la t t e r an d fin d s tha t she i s
T e M e e d m a w s 9 5 a la dy o f h igh rank . h a id Fr fr o the G ll o ( ) begins w i th he r fathe r t o p l e ad fo r he l p t o s av e he r from
de a th .
‘ o a e ch a e a e A 2 . h f th r , f th r , l i t t l o f your gold ,
! A. n d l ike w i s e o f your fe e
m n d e a T o ke ep my b o dy fr o yo r gr ve ,
w - e An d my ne ck fr om the gall o s tr e .
W i th chara ct er i s t i c b all a d rep e t i t i on she a s ks e a ch m e mb er
m n w n m s ; o f the fa ily , and one ill he lp u t il her t rue l ove c o e
‘ . 1 5 . m m n ow s e A So e o f y gold you hal l hav ,
And k e w s e m fe e l i i o f y ,
Fo r am m e e e e I c o t o s you s av d ,
A d e ‘ n s av d you s hal l be .
Wil l i e o Win s bury ( 1 0 0 ) i s t o b e hange d b e c au s e he i s the
‘ the k n s d e l over o f i g aught r ,
A . w e cam the k e . 9 But h n he ing b e for ,
He wa s cl a d o the r e d s i lk ;
i s k e ad s 0 H s ha ir wa l i e t o thr gold ,
e And hi s s kin was as whi t as m i lk .
‘ ‘ a e w n e d k n 1 0 . It i s n o d r , s a i the i g ,
‘ ‘ Tha t my d aught er s l ove ye d id win .
Whe reup on he i s p ard one d .
R ob in Ho od i s s ave d from d e ath at the han d s o f
' Guy o f fli s b o rn e by a p r ayer
e s s 38 . Rob in w a s r e a ch l e on a ro ot ,
d t An d s tumbl e a tha t tyde ,
d n m w i thal l An d Guy wa s qu i cke an i b l e ,
e An d h i t t him o r e the l e ft s id .
40 . R u Ou r a d e e ob in tho ght on L dy re ,
An d s c o n e e a u a a i n s l p t p g ,
And thu s he c ame w i th an awkwar d e s t roke
G S r G e o od i uy h w as s l ayn e .
S i r Br e db e ddl e w K A i n a n t s i th ing rthur , the dve ure w i th
K rnwa 30 i s s b ' a m e ing C o l l( ) , aved y ira c l
' 4 . NO W i S kn w an w s 6 the ight l e ft i thout y e ap on ,
And ala cke ! i t was the mo re p i ty !
B t s w n e n ha d he u a ure r e ap o th one ,
Had neve r l ord in Chr i s t e n tye
An d l w as on e e b o o ks al but l i t t l ,
t He found it by the s id e o f he s e a .
e t t s e s d 47 H foun d i t a he a i e ,
Wrucke d upp i n a fl o o d s ;
Our L ord had w ri t t en i t w ith hi s han d s and s e a l e d i t w i th hi In the a s d e G i s s a e s b l o od . br o d i , e ord i e he v d
by hi s w i fe .
43
K ( 4 ) The a s a s night L dy y ,
" — 4 . Mon ama m cher nt , on b i en a ims,
' " T me s b a s d i s e t e ire , , j n p r i e .
’ ‘ a a l e s b a s du e T nt qu i l t r i t p i d ,
‘ a s la me r l a Ded n a f it p l on ge r .
In L lAub e rge du Cr ime ( R 1 the s on o f a ge ntl eman
u s m war an d s the . The e re t rn fro , go e t o inn s ervant , p e t it
Je ann e t on w s as she ake s him hi m a e s him , e ep t t o s ro o , n d t l l
s s w r e e an d d s e im t o f thre e c orp e hi ch a th re , a vi s h t o pu one
e m e ‘ o f th in the b d . At e l eve n o cl o ck the ho s t an d ho s t e s s
e a t e m e ent r n d think they kil l he gu s t w i th ha me r and s t o n s .
' In the c ity o f Eant e s a s old i e r i s thr own int o p r i s on for
m e e ma s d i s at t e p t ing t o mbra c a i d en on the t re e t . In the gu i s e o f a b oy she ga i n s a dm it t anc e an d he r l ove r e s c ap e s whi l e s he go e s t o the gal l o w s i n hi s p l a c e ; a s she i s o n the
— s e he r n a i s s e R X 36 9 Bu . 1 1 thi rd t p , l o g h ir en ( ) ( j
‘ ' ‘ e s un e e C t fill ,
é r e e s s da s S c i r l ol t ,
‘ ' e s e s C t un fill ,
He la fus ill ons p a s .
The s e a t a s a e s the F e a up rn ur l e c p in r nch b all ad s , t ake r ther
' the fo rm o f m i ra c l e s than wha t i s found in the Engl i sh b a l
a l d s . In Sa int N i cho las e t l e s En fan t s e u Sal o ir
. a e e ( D on but ch r kil l s thr e i n fan t s .
I
5 . Le s a s ar m s c oup e t out p or c e au ,
M i a e u s al o i r c omme p our c e au s .
At the end o f s e ve n ye ar s Sa i n t Ni chol a s c om e s an d bri ngs
m a k . e the a n e d the b c t o l i fe . A mo the r s e s b abe she h s dr ow an d a s ks ( R IV
' ‘ ‘ E a m on b e l e an t a s a é la v i e nf nt , nf t , qu i uv
‘ ‘ o mb e s t a s s o s st i e z t r 0 e h re , c an p vou , v u p cru ll e ,
‘ ‘ ‘ a s e e M C e s t l e s ange s d e n h ut t la V i rg a ri e .
- a e s m an d A s hip l o ad o f s o l id e r s i s caught in t e rr ib l t o r ,
a - th e y p r y ( R IV ll 7 ) .
' Ma a z s Sa int Vi erge r i e , ye p i t i e , de nou ,
- ‘ N s n e o n s s . Sauve z nou s d onc la v i e , ou p che ro p lu
‘ a la t e m gt e s ab a i s s i Pr iere fut p s fini e , p ,
' s s e t c e e La t empfit s ab a i s e , t err ibl vent ,
‘ ‘ A t ran s p ar t é la a e u s u a l ab o r d du a b rqu j g r ng .
‘ a s s a s R m e e ‘ S e voy nt t ou uve e rc i on s n o tr e m re .
The s e av e rt e d c a t a s t r o phi e s gi v e the s p ir i t o f the tr age d i e s am the d T ong b a ll a folk . h e y l ive c o n s t an t ly am ong or on
d s d e s a s e s e an d i s n e own the e ge o f u ch e d th , i t o ly by th i r w i t a th i d m e h o w e w i ch e e n or v l or , o r e a o f s o igher p r , h p r v t s from e e t e m n t e m ad e th m su ff ring h fa t e o f a y o f h ir co r s . ‘ l
M nn e M n e a . c . a r o f e e t i g D th
1 . Na tura l . The c au s e s o f d e a th i n the b a l l a d s ar e
a an d t e e w e s a r e the n a a e a s . The v r i ou s , h f t tur l d th y
o a e i n the E n s b a l a d s a n d n s a n m e n h ave n p l c gl i h l , o ly c t
t A e x — 44 i s o n e e x a m e t i on i n the Fr e n ch . S . l i s ( R IV 2 ) p l
d e s e an s Al i chs t r e s a s s an t Ma i a au b out p t , p ,
e e R m e e m i s s nn e T ou s l s cl o che s d o s a o r ,
“ l a m n d s murmur s a u i a t r e s a s s éfl Tout o , vo i r q p
In L e Chan t du Damn é ( a I I
Le mauva i s r i che v i e n t a m our ir .
47
m e a ent i on the r gul r de a th .
2 . Su i c ide .
ma a a a a s ak ny b ll d ch r c t e r t e the i r o wn l iv e s .
‘ The ki ng s Do cht e r L ady J e an
A. . . Put he r an w he r s I I h d d o n by id e ,
And w n he r s a e d o n i t o p r ,
‘ And she a we e e n - n p ou t out p k i fe ,
a nd s e w u d e h o n e d h r s e l f fu s a ir .
Pract i c a ll y the s ame w ord s ar e foun d in Babyl on ( 4 ) an d the
B H n w the d e e n t e onny i d he re d i s d o e for h s ame re as on , a ca t a s t r O phe re sul t ing fr om the fa c t th at a bro th e r an d
e e t e e e T e a d n G as s i s t r hav n o r e c ogn i z d a ch oth r . h l y i l
e 7 ake s in the s am e w a an d he r e g r i on ( 6 ) t he r l i fe y , l ov r
e k the a s e - a e w s he r e xam e a ft r i l l ing f l fo o t p g , foll o p l ;
t e w d s o n t hi s e s A . 23 . He s e t t h s or l y t ill br t ,
The pumm i l t i l l a s t on e ;
Lord L ove l Lo rd Thom a s Lo rd Barn ard Young
d Johns t o n e the l ov e r o f the La s s o f Ro ch Roya l an
a a a fr om. P o i t ou a e s a u e he r e b u t b ll d , p l c l ight t o g id l ov r ,
s m and w t w e he d o e no t c o e , hen a da n sh s e e s him lyin g d e a d
she s a ys ,
Ave c la p o in t d e m on c out e au
Je me a un e ve s p e rce r i i n ,
M on s a a ng c oul er a i t gr and fl o t s ,
Ne s s s au m e . u , nou un ir i on t o b au
. a A m i e s e r ow . a e t he r d n , e ing he r l ove r d n s he t r i e s t o g r ing
m w e w e a she wan s fr o the a t r , b orr o s a d agge r , p r t end ing th t t
a kn w t o cut ot , (
Et e l d quan d e ll eut a ague ,
I ' e t nn . Au. c o e ur s e n s d o e
e d an at a w e d n A l ov e r s e e s hi s tru e l ove fa ll d a d c ing d i g ,
( R V II
‘ ‘ e t m o m o i e Pu i s qu e ll e s o rt e p ur , j ,
veux m our ir p our e lle ,
‘ ' s c s s t N a p r i s s on p i t ol e t ,
b rfil e la c e rve ll e .
Randa l ( 1 2 ) an d the s t o ry c ome s out i n the c our s e o f s ev e ra l s a z as a ad e e n t n o f b ll r p t i t i o ,
' ? A . 3 . An d wha d i d s he e ou d n m s o n t giv y , L or Ra dal , y
? ‘ A. n d Wha t d id s he giv e you my han d s ome young man
‘
Ee s i n. a e m e d an m ak. m b s l fr i e d p ; o th r y o on ,
‘ ‘ w s e F o r I m. r i d w n d own a i hun t ing a fa in wad l i e d .
? 4 . ( And wha o t e a n s d Ran d a m s on g y our l vi , Lor l , y
‘ And wh o t a m an d s m e n man ? a g your l e vins , y h o you g
' E w s an d m o d s m e mak: m b e d s y ha k y h un ; oth r , y o on ,
‘ ‘ F o r I m w w i n n n d a wad w . e ar i ed hu t i g , a f in l i e do n
‘ w a a aw m Ra a m s on ? 5 . And h t b c o f the , Lord nd l , y
‘ nd w a b e c am m m an s m man ? A h t o f the , y h d o e young
‘ Th e y s tre t che d th e i r l e gs out an d i e d
m e ma k m b e d s n oth r , y o o ,
‘ ‘ e w Fo r I m w e ar i e d w i hun t i n g a nd fa i n wa d l i d o n .
‘ e ar e s n e d L Ran da m s o n ! 6 . 0 , I f a r you p o i o , o rd l , y
‘ e ou r e s n e d m han d s m e ou man ! I f ar y a p o i o , y o y ng
‘ o 0 e s I am s n e d m the a s k m b e d s n , , y , p o i o ; o r , y o
‘ ‘ t e n d fa n w a d l i e d wn . For I m s i ck a t he h art , a I i o
Et 1 s s e d e o s e ent ur b ouqu t ,
.A a m m f i t our ir l a arqu i s e .
The e ff e c t o f thi s m o d e o f d e a th i s qu it e d i ff e r e n t i n L ord
Ra a an d L M r nd l a a qu i s Emp o i s on ee . In t he Fr e n ch i t s e e m s
a e a s a a and the e e e e d n e r th r rt i t i c th n tr gi c , ff c t d p n s e t ir ly up on the thi ng d one ; whi l e in L ord Ran dal i t d e p e nd s r a th e r
t e m e w e a s . The s w up on h ann r i n hi ch th b l l ad tr e a t i t l o , ab s olut e ly c ert a in p ro gre s s o f t he t a l e i n Lord Ran dal giv e s a e a s n w e the l l th s ol emn ity and he av in e s s o f the o c c i o , hi l
Fr ench s e e m s rather l i ght b e s id e i t .
ad Nam . 4 . De ing
In Earl Brand ( 7 ) ther e i s a s urv iva l o f the sup e r
A. e he r s t i t i on o f t aki n g aw ay p ow e r by nam in g . ft r l over
the a e the ha s ki l l ed the bro ther s an d i s ab out t o k il l f th r , m e s aid en cri ,
‘ ‘ d u an r d Z i l l i am ! B . 7 . 0 , ho l yo r h d L o
T e e n d d e s a t e a e . He i s imm e d i a t e ly w ound d , a i l it l l t r h re
d s i s n o thing t o c o r r e s p o n d t o i t i n the Fr e n ch b all a .
" " s on i s s s a s s ho t Chi ld y o f i t , The ho o t ing o f the
i s m a e ch i ld uninte l l igibl e in the ut i l t d s t a te o f the b all ad .
i s a a n m an b e an e I t p p re tly e t t o a c c i d nt . No thing o f the k n s a a s the s s an d the e e i d o c cur in ot he r b ll d o f c l a , d iv rg nc e
i s a a m " p rob b ly s i p l e c o rrup t i on .
' In the Fr e nch ba l l a d s c a ll e d La Ha i tr e s s e d Aub e rge
e t S on F s m - 0 il ( Ro . X. 2 8 ) ( Bu j . 1 1 a s o n re turn s fr om war d s u s e d a s a m e chan d e s w hi s m he an d a s , i g i r t , l o g ith o t r ,
s he d e t o s n o r e c ogn i z e hi m she kil l s him for hi s m on e y .
' L Ma e e e — d s o d e s a itr s s du Vo l t ig ur ( Bu j . II zll ) on s a l i r uni
m n d a s s e s sw s w he r e for , a in a t ve rn cr o ord ith l ov r ,
Ma s au s em e i tro i i c oup ,
on a m e La b e l l e qui tt e s r ,
Et m x e n s t o b e a deu g ou ,
P our y rendr e s on am e .
La Chas s e ( w 54 ) t e ll s o f an o th e r ma id en who l o s e s he r l i fe b e c au s e s he i s in an unu su al form ; i n the d ay t im e s he has
wn s e a t n e m e s a wh e n d . he r o human hap , but i ght b c o i t h i
' a w n d a n d i s nl w e n he He r bro th e r s d ogs kill h i t e hi , i t o y h
s n e s e e s the bl ond ha i r that he kn ow s wha t he ha d o .
has w a h t Child ) p . 1 81 ) a s an a s d n c c l l b ur e d ing , b e au s e the
a l dy s p e aks i n the l as t s t an z a and sa ys she has b e en fe ign
in h ' g de a t t o t e s t he r l o ver s a ffe ct i on ; but in tha t sung
a M s he d e s and b out e ll e , i , a s wall ow carr ie s the n ews t o he r
— t rue l ove .
7 . C omb at .
On a the a e the m e s d e e c c ount o f n tu r o f t i , ath i s o ft n me t m in c o ba t . In the Bat t l e o f O t t e rburn
A . 49 . W th a s a r ow e s a y th t ch rp a b eg n t o fl e e ,
I t e ll yow in s e r t ayn e ;
M e n arme s b n n e n e o f yga t o Joy ,
n m w s e Ma y a d owghty an a the r s layn .
The Ba tt l e o f Harl aw ( 1 6 3 ) an d Durham Fi e ld ( 1 5 9 ) ar e much th e
s m The n 1 6 2 i s the e s kn w a e , but Hunt i g o f the Chevi o t ( ) b t o n
o f any .
on e v e r e s d e B . 29 . They cl o s e d full fa s t y i ,
a e w s F o e s l ckn e s ther a found ,
1‘ t m al an n e man u any a g l t ge tl ,
t e Lay ga sp in g on h ground .
a e a a w e And in noth r b ll d , hi ch r p re s en t s s ol d i e r s ( W 1 47 )
a a m w t lking t o a i d ho s e l ov e r ha s be en o n e o f th e ir nume b ar ,
N e l ore s s p p lu , la b e ll e ,
Car 1 1 e s t mo Br e t i ne rt en a g ,
Le e ' Bre t ons 1 ont tu g.
s a M - G In fight ing ingl e h nded , ; Bo i s i ll e ( W 47 ) ki ll s
e w thirty ; th n hi s s ord br e aks .
As a a a d s P ; t o the b tt l e b l l , r o f Hart ( Bal . Ep .
" p . 33 ) s ays tha t the d e a th o f a thou s and i s n o t tragi c
" the re w e hav e the imp e r s ona l e ff e c t o f the r e c ord o f a
" e e n g n ra l c al am i ty . The l ov e o f the fi ght i s s o s tro g
n d n s s a the a d i s in the ha d t o han c o te t , th t tr ge y for one fo rgo t t en i n the v i c t ory o f the o th e r ; i t i s on ly i n su ch b a ll ad s as Bew i ck and Graham ( 2 1 1 ) an d Chi l d Maur ic e ( 83 )
e e tha t the gl amour o f the fi ght i s l o s t in th t r ag dy o f i t .
8 . L ove .
On e o f the favor i t e b a l l a d them e s i s the d e a th o f
' n a e s s one l over fr om a br oke hea rt , on c c ount o f th l o o f the
H e as ks s e e he r s O the s w t o , cut p en hr oud i th hi s s w ord .
and d 0 r p s de ad .
Le s s s Eo c e s R X - o n Tri t e ( 386 ) ( D . 2 9 ) r e s e mb l e s
" " Fa i r Jan e t a Je ane garcon t el l s hi s re al l o ve t o
m hi s w d d n an d d c o e t o e i g , they ance t o ge the r .
’ ' ’ La sur l e c d te m sur a o ct e a be ll e dro it , l a ant l g uche ,
' e m la t omb e e m Le p r ie r t our qu e ll e fi t , be ll e ort e ,
' " On s e n a l l a i t d i s ant : Vo i la d e s tri s t e s n o c e s
' Y e ' ' vo ila d ux am ant e qu ont mourn l on p our l aut re .
P La Pe rn e tt e Don . w e e n who i s b e ( p i g for i e rre , t o
an e s a s h g d y ,
e v o s e n o l s P e e n d o l s — m e i i t o t S p d a i e rr , p a
Au chemin d e Sa int Jaqu e e n t e r a s — n o s t o s d o s
m e o Ouvre s P i e rr e de r o s e s e me i d e i l fl r s .
e d au ue Lo s p e l e r in s que p a s s e n t n p ren ront qu q br ot ,
' Diron t : D i o aye l ame d ou s p ovr s e am ore s
' ' ' s do s L un p e r 1 am or d e l autre i l s o n t m ort s t o s l o .
- 99 the w e s on e ve rs i on o f Ren aud ( B 1 1 ) i fe cr i ,
a n Hono r .
Behind e a ch o f th e s e p l ot s th e r e i s a mo t i ve whe the r e x s s , p re ed o r no t . On e o f the app a ren t m o t ive s i s the de s ire fo r gl ory i n c omb a t ; i t i s e s p e c i a l l m e B B a d s s d s y p r o in nt in the o rd er all , uch b alla s a
O tt e rburn Hunt i ng o f the Che vi o t Fl odd en
' F d M s s e i e l u e lburgh Fi e ld Hugh. Sp n c e r s
Fe a t s i n Fran c e Ea rl o f W e s tm or e lan d Rob in
' Ho o d s P r ogre s s t o No t t i n gham John i e S c ot
Gud e Wa ll a c e S ir L i o n e l John i e Ar ms tr ong ( 1 6 9 )
e The mo t i ve i s evid e nt fr om the d e e d s th m s e lve s .
a m e s w s e a on e a c an Pa tri ot i sm i s on ly an , h i ch give ch h c e
hi s own s and ad d hi s o wn t o ki l l , in ord e r t o p rove ki l l t o
T e e s the F e honor in b a t tle . hi s c rt a inly app l i t o r n ch
- G W e an s b al l ad o f M . d e Bo i s ill e ( fo r the r excu e o f an in sul t i s hard ly no t i c e d in the e age rn e s s fo r the gr e at
' ' i n - V e nd cme s fight , whi ch Bo i s G i l l e kill s thirty o f fo l l ow er s
E VII I . ll e y v o i t p a s s e r d an s l e s a ir s
Le s s e a x du a e o i u b o c g ,
L e s s l e s e gri , v rt s ,
Et l e s e p e t i t s c an e s .
aus s i t at a ma é Tout de nd ,
En a s a s e f i nt a p r i re ,
' D Etr c change
P e our vo l er av c e l l e s .
En c ane b l anch e fut change ;
' Et a t r av e r s s e s e s gr i ll ,
' E a s s é ll e p a ,
a ' Vol an t t ir e d a il e s .
Venge an c e i s one o f the s t rong m o t i vat in s o f d s w s m g forc e th e b a ll a , hi ch c an u ual l y b e Judged fro
" " s i n S m B ad s The e the a ct i on , a the i p l e all . Cru l
Bro the r Lady I s ab e l and the El f Kni ght Young
Hunt ing The La i ly Worm and the Ma chr e l o f the Se a
c a n s “ O l e J , r ,
' n k a ‘ I ll bur b o th i th n d ki n .
Fau s e Fo o drage
' ' A . 32 . O in b e Ki n H , g I g ono r s s on ,
B Our a e s w e a y L d i I r ,
Thi s d ay I w ill tha t t r ayt our
An d e e m m ‘ r l i ev y o ther d e ar .
Se v e r a l o f the Bo rd e r Bal l ad s al s o giv e the d i re c t e x
e s s n e n a s m T e e F D e d p r i o o f rev ge , . Ja i e l f r o f the a i r o dh a
The Hun t i ng o f the Chevi o t The Baron o f Bra ck l e y The Lad s o f Wamphray Bo nny John S e t on
Ea rl B othw e ll In the Fr e n ch a s i n the Engl i s h b al
a s far the e e a s e a i n e n a l d , by gr at r p rt o f tho e r l t g t o v ge nc e ,
a r e r e ve al the m o t ive only in th e d e e d . In thi s cl s s a
'
e l o t e R X. found La Veuve ( Bu j . 1 1 Le Vo l d H ( Le
P s s e du 3 0 1 8 R 1 Meurt re de La Fi ll e ( R X. L e a ag (
, P e R 8 Le e T o s S o r or i c id e ( R. X arr i c id ( Tr i t re y
1 1 La F ( R X Le F il s du Ri che Mar chan d ( Bu j . il l e
59
e n e mm n rev g in the c o a d ,
' ‘ u e la e d e P o in t o i s e s m i s s a e t Q vi ll o i t feu a s an g .
Ka M e utr i e r R - a ri ( X 1 9 6 ) ( Bu j . 1 1 n o th e r v e r s i on o f
Maum r ée V e e . e a i nge p a r s s Frer e s ( Don . i s pun i s h e d
s m the b ro the r who c o e t o l o ok for the ir s i s t e r .
1 1 a é s s f ut que tu p ri e s ,
T o t e e i e t a crue l l m re au s s i .
Ca r t ou s l e s deux vou s ét i e z c omp l i s .
a s d . Je l ou y .
P e rhap s even s t ro nge r than the v e nge an c e i s the j e a l ou sy mo t iva t io n whi ch exp re s s e s it s e l f i n the
a E n 1 n e s s e s a ct i o n o f many b l l a d s . Qu e en l e a or ( 56 ) c o f ,
' B 9 . an s a ad Ro s om on . I pu L y ,
' th K s d w he An e ing a rl ing a s s .
A sugge s t i on m e r e ly i s f ound i n The Bo nny Ea rl o f Hurra y
. a A, e n Ea M A . 5 . n d th b on y rl o f urr y ,
' oh he w a s the Qu e e n s l ov e !
C olv ill e Young Wa t e r s On e o f the m o s t i n t e n s e c a s e s o f j e al ou s y c om e s out in the b a ll ad Twa S i s t e r s
B . 3 . e the e d e s w i b r o t n kn e He c ourt d l t ch a i f ,
But l o vd the n e s s hi s e you g t a l i f .
4 . The e s he s v d eld s t wa e x s a ir .
' An m c e nv i d s s e a u h he r i t r f ir ,
5 . n he r wr s e d n o t e s I t o b o h c oul r t ,
T i e a e a m gr i f n s p i t she l o s bra s t .
s e s s a e s he r w he r s s e the s e a Thi b i tt ern c u s t o thr o i t r int o ,
an d re fu s e t o he lp he r out .
' s s s s a m B . 1 3 . O , i s t e r , i t e r , ve y l i fe ,
' r s e b e na e man s w . .Ln I s we a I neve r i fe
' d t ac ks 1 4 . F oul fa th e han that I shoul ,
' d e a e I t tw in d m e an my w ar l s m k .
' 1 . h s an a w ha 5 Your c e rry che ek y ll o ir ,
‘ v m r Gar e m e ga e ma id en for e e r a i .
t he s e i n can n b e purp o Wh i ch o ly con j e c ture d fr om thi s .
A s a rul e i t i s n o t hard t o gu e s s what m o t iv e s i n s p i r e a
s a n the s m e e h t i tu t io , for a purp o s s ar e b e i nd he a c t i o n s
e e o f v ryo n e .
IV . SET T ING .
a . T ime .
The d ay o f the we e k give s a t im e s e t t ing
' t o s om e o f the tr agi c ba ll ad s a s i n Br own Robyn s C onfe s s i on
W o n e d I . It fe ll up on a d s ay
' e Br ow n R obyn s m e n w e n t t o s a .
S i r Pa tr i c k Sp ens
o e d s a o n mun e n d a m n . C . 7 5 . They m unt i l y o r
The Ba t tl e o f Ha rlaw
W ' hen S ir John But l er s e nem i e s c om e t o Bus ye Ha ll
" “ i s m i rk: m i dn i ht A " i t the g ( . an d th e r e i s neve r a
a - " c nd l e l i ght .
The cl erk ( 72 ) i s t o ld by the mayor tha t he w i l l not
' an tw o s s e s and m o r e a a gr t the on l iv , , th n th t ,
' ' A . 1 0 . Be f o re the m orn at tw e lv e o cl o ck
' e e e a ’ Y ll s them h ngi t hi e .
In many o f the l ove ba l l ad s ar e f ound exp re s s i on s l ike the
w n w i s m B n a fo l l o i g , hi ch fro o ny Barb ra Al l e n ( 8 4 )
' ” 9 . S e m d fe r m e d a A inc y l ov e d ie t o y ,
' ’ I ll d i e for him t o - m orro w.
T s e m s e s a e n h n w the s and he t i e tt ing h v o t i g t o d o i th t ory ,
d o a m e have ra ther the s oun o f c omm n p l a c e th n o f d e fi n i t e t i .
In B e 8 6 s e e m s s an Young en j i ( ) it i gn i fi c t ,
e e w n m n — A . 4 . An d h ga n by a o o l ight
m e hi s K r o r T o e t a j y ,
bu t i t i s p robab ly n o t m e an t t o b e s ugge s t iv e t ime f o r the
The me s e n s the tragi c ev e nt Wh i ch fol l ow s . t i t t i g o f
On e o f the favor i t e ba ll ad s e t t ings i s the
nw " " gre e o od . The Tw a Br other s ( 49 ) ar e in yo n d e r w o od
" " ( . ) the s s e s ar e the e e nw d n w e C I ; i t r t o gr o o go e , her
the y me e t Babyl on O the r b al l ad s w i th th i s b a ck
' gr ound ar e : The Cru e l mothe r The Ki n g s Do cht er Lady
J e an J al l o n Gr ams Ch i l d Maur i c e John i e
C o ck Bo nny Hind S i r L i on el Fau s e Foo d
" rage an d th e br o ther i n Sh e a th and Kn i fe ha s t a e n
' hi a e A s s i s t e r d own t o her f th e r s d e r p a rk ( .
t e e e a e d a s i n The b ow e r i s fr e qu e n t ly h s c n o f a t r g y , Lo rd
Ingram an d Chi e l Wye t C l e rk S aund e r s W ill ie
' ) an d Lady Ma i s ry S ir Hugh or the J e w s Daught e r ( 1 55
rn The s e a L i t t l e Mu s grav e an d Lady Ba ard , o r
m me s the s e e a a d s a s e s . s tr e ams , a r e s o et i c n o f b ll d i t r
w e h f ow A e d A . ll . Ra f o r , a re t o b r our ,
' It s f i ft i e fa d om d e ip ,
P k e n e An d the i r l i e s gu i d S i r at r i c Sp c ,
Hi the Sc o t s l o rd s a t hi s f e it .
Fre M
' Che val i e r ( 4 1 — 1 9 8 ) J F r t e n i s
the L an e i n Cha e au I“ I I t , ,
- i s d r e d .
: ' r fi s h 0 ar e A M 1
The br o ther t ake s up hi s s i s t e r w ith a b ig t e a r i n hi s
( B n H n w e n L e v e l 7 on y i d , h L ord ( 5 ) cp e n s the c o ffin
. 7 .As s s e d he r a e a s D he ki p l , p le l ip ,
' An d the t e r am e t r i l d a s c nk i ng own .
The father sh e d s t e ar s ov e r hi s d aught e r i n Young Andr e w ( 48 )
In Twa B e s 49 e n e i e e s s e d r oth r ( ) v i o l t gr i f s xp r ,
C . . he r n d s he w e she s 1 8 S a i traught , s p t , i cht ,
e e t e m d s e t e t r e e Sh w p t h s a b ir fra h ,
e w e t e s lown fre e the Sh p t h t arn s s l i ft ,
w e e She p t the fi sh out o th s e a .
e P k S e n s ma w a n Th l ad i e s i n S i r at r i c p y i t l o g ,
" w i the t e a r bl ind i ng th e ir e e
T e n T e ar s ar e n o t the only e xp re s s i o n o f s orrow . h the ma i d find s he r t rue l ove d e a d
e hi s e s A . 1 3 . She sw o one d thri c up on br i t ,
Tha t w a s her de ar e s t marrow ;
' E la c e an d w a s the da S a id , ver a y
Thou w e n t s t fr a e me t o Yarr ow !
An d thro the w o r l d fo r the ir s ake s
' ' an an d b e m e I l l g g g y br ad .
M a a e 6 9 w s a rg r t ( ) v o ,
' ' A . 0 . 0 San d e s I e d o f r 2 , r , l o your s ake
t ha e s w u d n a e e t o th r l ady o l th ul ,
Y" e n s e e a s i s o m e a nd o n e h ven y r c g ,
' T e n e a s e ‘ her s ar ho go on my s o l e .
' ' 2 1 . 0 S d e s I e d o s ak , an r , l for your e
T hat o the r l ady s w oul d thin k mar e ;
W n s s i s m e n o n e he even ye ar c o a g ,
' ‘ T e he r s n e r a c omb go in my ha ir .
' ' . 0 San d e s I l e d o f o r o s ke 2 2 , r , y ur a
What othe r l ady s w ou l d thi n k l a ck ;
W he n s e e n e s i s om e an n e v y a r c go ,
' ‘ I e w e n d w a c k l ar ought but o y bl .
The t r agi c l am e n t s u r viv e s i n Bon n i e Earl o f Hurr a y
Be s s i e Be ll and - ar y G r ay e n d Bo nn i e J am e s Camp b e ll
" C orona ch in the d ia l ogu e w i th W ill i e X ao in t o sh
e n a t the la s t m e n t i on s the c n u d n n e S th , o cl i g l i s o f i r
Pa ck S e n s s e e r t tri p ( 5 8 ) a the r l i c o f th o l d l a e n .
The e xp r e s s i on s o f gr i e f i n the F r e n ch d o n o t s e e m t o b e s o much i n the fo rm o f c omm o n pl a c e a s i n the
E n t S o e n e s d s n gl i sh . I he b a ll ad n t Tro i s J u C a et
t e e the e v e r a hi s m s s s ( Bu j . I he fa th r t ll s l th t i tre i s d e a d ,
' ' I a m e s s e m j o l i a i tr ,
K t r e s s r e e - t O i a i , ve i ll
M on o c cu r as d es e sp ere
t o i ‘ De n e e r e v .
F e z a e z am s rapp , fr p p , t b our ,
z s nn e z m e e s S o nn e , o t ro p tt ,
S n e s nn e z m e e s o n z , o tro p t t ,
S on n e z b i e n tr i s t e m e n t ;
' e Je n a i p lu s d e r a i t r e s s .
1 - 44 ) Whe n w i fe fi n d s tha t he r hu s b an d i s d e a d 1 2
a r u n m a e n e c ,
' S e a e n dan s an s s an s me t t r e m s e b an he r i p t ep t ch i l c ,
' Et u r i ' é ' ' a a s s 1 i n ou r o r i e n u un e an e . j , ou p p t i t , q br ch
Gr an d a a n e i n d i n the m o r m s e Le c p i t i , f g a i d f who he ha x
han e d th e at e d e d m a ke s a v o w c g f h r , a , ,
P s l e m e e u i qui t t a t i r ,
’ T a e our s e f i r s t on su r r .
T m n the F r e n h h e l ame n t i s foun d i n a l ivi n g for i c .
w n m i s e n B a d e i n hi s k P és e s fo ll o i g fo r giv by l b o o , o i
" O u a r e e a G n e T m e n d e the e s p l i s d l a s cog , o I , u r t i t l o f cr i
' i t s d e nt e r r e m e n t . M . T i e r s o t 2 1 2 ) s ays t ill
s sung am on g the p e as an t .
P our
39
' ' S e l e mp o rt on ! Se l e mp o r t o n !
' Se l e mp o r t on e u c ém e t e r i !
Houn D iu ! Eoun Diu !
' Pa i ! P raub e a i ! E a u e t z m o p nt q rt ,
‘ Has e out z b e s oun a l ous tau .
T e out z que b ou s c r s e oun .
T t ou z qu e b ou s s ima cun .
' Pa i ! Pr aub e p a i ! Ent a qu e t z m ort .
Lioun Diu !
N oun D iu ! N oun D iu
' t a rab e P raub e p a i ! Qu e ro t z b .
' Que n e r o t z t ant .
e e S l a u t S e b ou s i d p s ,
Praub e p a i !
Bou s e n d e m an d i p e r d oun .
e r d oun ! Be rd oun !
Ah ah
Ah F r aub e
Qu e b an n ou s au s d e b e ngue
91
i s e r e s o mu h a i n a e T e th c c t o in the l t t r . h y s ho w the ir
m n m o e i n e a x e s s h i e o t io r v rb l e p r i on . t an n sw ift ac t i o n s w a a e z the hi ch ch r ct ri e En gl i s h . Wa l t e r ho r r i s Hart in
Ba ad an d h e l l p i c ( p . S p aki ng o f l am e nt s for tra gi c
" fa t e s a s But e a a d s the e m i , y , even in the s b ll o t on i s d am a e e r a t i c l ly c on c iv d . B onn i e Jam e s C amp b e ll i s n o t the c omp l a in t o f a p o e t for a l o s t c om p an i on ; it i s the l am e n t o f a w i f e an d m o th e r ; a n d i n i t gri e f i s de s c r ib e d
t s e e n man s on o r s u e s e d a t e n d a n by i x t r al i fe t at i , gg t by t t
t c i r cum s an c e s .
Gumms r e s ays the l am e n t s w e hav e
d e s s o he e i s a d e a r e only e cho e s o f o l cho ral cr i , t r ir ct
t e w a o f c o n t r a s t t o thi s s ort o f a l ame nt i n h l ong i l ,
T e Ah ! A. h ! Ah ! Ah ! r aub
A h ! Pr aub e ! A. h ! T r aub e !
alm o s t i n t erm in ab l e i n i t s d ir ge — l ike r e p e t i t i on ; he r e
n n w d s e x r s s the e th e r e i s n o a ct i o n , othi g but o r t o p e gr i f
o f the b e r e av e d .
w a s W O O
e 32 . And he shop s the c r o s s i n hi s r ight s h e l d r
O f the w e t e d hi t e fl sh an d h r e d ,
.An d he w e him the an d nt int o ho ly l ,
W e e h r as Chr i s t was qu i cke an d d e ad .
The r e m or s e o f cha ra ct e r s in the Fr e n ch b all ad s i s s e p n t m ore i n ap p ar e n t m e nt al an gui sh than in the Engl i s h .
The br o th e r who c omm i t s t he d e e d i n S o r o r i c i d e ( R K~ 2 01 )
e s cr i ,
I I e e e s d e s d e man d s ! H l a s ! ma s o ur , h l a ! p ar on j vou
' P d e s d e mand s ! l a d e m n m a t e n t s! ar on , j vou o
t e m t e r nd s Lat e r h o h fi ,
fe u S on fil s au c o in d e .
T e n t b a i gn e d e s e s l a rm e s e u
' t cr im e qu il qva i fa it .
a d s w i e f R e m or s e i n the En gl i sh ba ll s a i th gr .
d n i n the Fr e n a p r e s s e s i t s e l f in imm e ia t e a ct i o ; ch , ch r
' Swe e t Will iam s Gho s t L i tt l e Eu s gr ave an d Lady Ba r
a B n Be e He m H e Gr am s 1 91 s s n rd o ny ughi ( ) ay ,
' . 2 0 . a e e e a e d m e o f m e A Though they h v b r v y l i f ,
‘ e a nn e e a e m o e Th y c o t b r v e f he av n s o hi gh .
The a e w h the d d a d e a d s i s n o t m e n p l c t o i ch bra i , b r a i ro l
t i o n e d o e s o ft e n . The b ab e s t e l l th e ir Cru l M o th e r ( 2 0 )
tha t she i s t o b e s e v e n y e ar s a p or t e r i n he l l ; Ma r j o ri e i n
' qu i r e s o f Sw e e t W ill i am s Gho s t ( 7 7 ) what i s s t an d i ng a t
e hi s f et .
' t s h e e e n s Kar o r i e he s a s 0 . 1 3 . I i t r h ll hou d , j , y ,
' m t o ke e Tha t s wa it i ng y s oul p .
' ' ' Man s En e m y ap p e ar s p e rs o na lly t o the l ad y o f the La ird
o f Ha r i s t o n ( 1 94 ) a s he d o e s t o La Par jur e ( R IV — 448 )
he r w e dd n an d La F u i B an e a up o n the n ight o f i g , i ll e Q qu
s e P r om s s s e ( R IV O f the man who d i e d fr om j e al ou s y
e the a ad r e a e s ( u fo r hi s w i f , b ll l t
a e e n fs r R ob in v n ,
e c e T ourm e nt r Lu i f r ,
Et t ou s l e s d i a bl o t i n s .
1 . T o m C o fort .
In the fi r s t cl as s b e l ong the s on s o f the t i fe
' ' " " o f Us her s Wel l Swe e t W i ll i am s Gho s t A ver
s i on o f Cl erk Saund e r s Twa Bro th e r s The
s oul who r e turn s fr om the Unqu i e t Grav e ( 7 8 ) ha s a s e l fi sh
m e a s w e o t iv e ll , fo r h as ks ,
' A . 3 . 0 who s s w e e n m a , i t p i g on y gr ve ,
? ‘ .And w i l l no t l et m e s l e e p
T i e r s o t e s a t e m e e ( p . 2 3 ) giv a b all d ex emp l i fying h s a i d a .
m e m ou rn s d s e s n d she fi A o th r for her aught er ev n ye ar , a
a a e om he r an d e r m e e s e n s he r n l ly p p ar s fr gr ave , h o th r p r t
e e M e chi ldr n t o h r . In Le ira cl e d Jéhus ( R IV
the m o th e r o f thre e chi ldren i s d e ad and the fath e r ma rri e d
aga i n t o the u su al cru el s t ep - m o ther ; the de ad m o ther i s
La N a l l o w e d t o return t o he r chil dr e n one n i ght . our i c e du R o i ( R X -2 05 ) i s s av e d fr om d e a th by the r e tu rn o f the
m s p ir i t o f the young king who cl e ar s he r from b l a e .
s m a c omm a an d ha s S e a i p ly onp l c e no p c i l fo rc e , C l e rk
Saunde rs
' B . 1 9 . O wa s b e m s b r e t e rn , t o y even h ,
we t an 1 d t ‘ A 1 1 e a th. ma they d i e !
An d in S i r Pat r i ck Sp en s
' ‘ K . 2 . O wa s man he , b e t o the , s ays ,
' ' Tha t s t aul d the king 0 m e ;
A o he b e m a i l th y n br o th e r ,
’ Some il l d e a th m ay he d i e !
The s e ha rml e s s e xp r e s s i o n s o f fe e l ing ar e found i n such
b al l ad s a s Y oung A. n d r e w Young John s t o n e Fau s e
Kn i ght Up on the Ro ad W ill i e an d Lady Ma i s ry ( 7 0 )
L o rd Thoma s an d Fa i r A. nn e t The La s s o f Ro ch Royal
Chi l d Maur i c e Fau s e F o o d r age Johni e
C o ck S i r John But l e r The cur s e i s p o t e n t
' ' i n the M e e W an d i s o th r s Ma l i s o n , or C lyd s a t er
e t t s o T e a s ful fil l d in he d e a th o f he n . h Fr e n ch b al l d
t a s n n mm a e a n d w e n d o n o s e em t o h v e a c orre p o d i g c o onp l c , h
' Ah ! qu i l out l a c o r d s au c ou
' La nouv e ll e qu il m e man d e !
Ther e i s a l s o a fo rm o f a cur s e in La Cha s s e ( W but
e a has a a the s an d i s o t ch one p rt in t ory , n s imp ly an
e x ama s i n the E a cl t i on a ngl i s h b all d s .
b . Te s t am e nt .
Th e t e s t ame n t i s a fr e qu e n t a c c omp an
i m e n t the d e a . P . d . 49 8 o f th hour r o f Ch il ( V ol V , p . )
i n d ex e s th e s e un d e r c l a s s e s whi ch m ay b e d iv i d e d in t o tho s e w w d n s e nd s a n d h n s the hi ch ill go o thi g t o fr i , ill t i g t o
t d e n d h s e in wh he e i s n o an m s au ho r o f a th , a t o i ch t r i o i ty
A t yp e o f the fir s t cl a s s i s foun d i n Th e C ru e l Br o the r
( 1 1 )
' 0 C e a d m e e n u on 2 . , l g tl y p y h ill ,
' ‘ th e r e s i t d wn an d make m w . And I ll o , y il l
' ? ‘ 1 O w w l ou e a e t o o a e r d e a 2 . , h at il y l v y ur f th r
' - e e r e The s i lv e r s h e d s s t e e d that brought m h .
' w a w e a e u m o he r d e a 2 2 . O , h t il l you l v t o yo r t r
' i e n e r hy v e lv e t p a ll and m y s lk g a .
‘ ' H w ou e a e t o u r s s e Ann e ? 23 . ha t il l y l v yo i t r
' ‘ my s il ke n s c a r f an d m y gowd e n fan !
L ord D e rws n twat e r The w il l ha s n o c on s t antly
Ro i Le C ap t i f ( R . I I p . 92 )
Or va e e r e a la r e in s , p ort r l t t ,
A s s a Ge s m e n e f s u i orge 3 p t i t il ,
' a i t b s n d e m on a um e Qu i l i en o i roy ,
s ma m s s ra Ap re ort p our lu i .
The s e t e s t ame nt s o ft e n hav e a v e r y t e ll ing tr agi c e f
e e e s e s e w i e n d w a s r s e n d m f t , p c i al ly tho h ch i th urp i a c l i ax
R the a s e m a s i n E wa 1 an d d n da 1 2 . in l t i t , d rd ( 3 ) Lor a l ( )
Th e y giv e a tragi c r e ve l at io n o f m o t iv e an d s i tu at i on whi ch
a the Fr e n ch b a ll d s m i s s .
0 . Port e n t s .
C e rt a in s ign s ar e kn o wn a s p ort e n t s o f d e a th
s in the b a ll ad s an d o n e o f the sur e s t i s the s ight o f a gho t .
t who w n d e s m hi s n e r a e ( 7 8 ) hi s The S p ir i , a r fro u qu i t g v t o
ue - e w arn s he r gr i e ving tr l ov ,
' I s aw the n e w m n a e e s t r e e n o o l t y ,
i the o ld m o on i n he r a rm ;
An d w e an s e a ma s e r i f g g t o , t ,
' I e a w u ‘ f r e ll s ff e r ha rm .
e V r s i o n P .
8 . Ou t an d s a Ea P k r a am p k rl at r i c G h ,
“1 the s aut t e ar i n hi s e e ;
' ' N ow s w e e e t e m in v s e n h e rma i d en ,
' ’ Dry l an d w e ll n e v e r s e e !
Sup e r s t i t i o n a tt r ibut e s s ign i fi c anc e t o c e r t a in p e cul i a r i n
c i d e t s w W e a s n hi ch b o d e ill . h n John i e Arm s tr o n g ( 1 6 9 ) s t rt
o n hi s o n e j ur y ,
' ‘ E . The w e w h d u s e i t d i d r a n . 8 ind i t bl a r , f ll or i ,
n d a s r e e n w a rn i n r o m hi s he s a s a i f c iv i g a g f t , y ,
' Ho w ar e ou w e a e G t - kn o c k Ha ! f y l l , br v u i l ll
‘ I f e a r I s hal l n e v e r s e e the e aga i n .
o t o n n thfu n e s s R ings whi ch tu rn c o l o r giv e w a rn i n g n l y o f u fa i l , but o f the i e ath o f a t ru e - l o v e a s i n Bo nn y Be e an d
Lamkin In the E v e r s i o n o f La mkin th e r e i s a
e t m . w arn i ng o f the d i s a s t r s a ho e
s e m s t t r e s é e e r z ort e p a s ,
s n a a e e z a s x he Vou t rd r p d eu ur e s , dun e
l e a a s p r d i vou s s e r s z .
A m s i i l a r thi ng t ake s p l a c e i n Le M en d i an t e t l a S e rvan t s
Au Cure ( R 1 1 - 46 0 ) The Virgin al s o ap p e ar s t o a she p he rde s s ( R IV - ll O ) a n d t e l l s he r she i s go i n g t o d i e ; wh e n she i s n l e ft al o e ,
T é r m e u m ' rouv s u 3 3 a in b l anch n o t d écr i t .
' é a l e s - Qu e ll e t i t a s rvant d e Jesu s Chr i s t .
n an se e s R m e e Ds r t a e a e I the V d v r i o n o f en aud , he t s h f c to f c
the r a d a n d i s e s n e d him . in o , qu t i o by
' A ims s - tu m our ir c e t t e nu i t
' Qu e d str c s e p t an s a l angu ir
Aims s - tu m i eux m our ir a p r e s e n t
The buri a l or fina l r i t e s ar e m ent i o n e d i n s om e wha t the s ame mann e r in man y b al l ad s ; Bonnie Ann i e The Thre e Rave n s
Proud Lady Ma rga re t Tw a Bro the r s Bonny
Hi n d Cl e rk Saun d e r s L i tt l e Mu s grav e an d Lady
Ba rnar d S i r L i on el Sh e a th an d Kn i fe Le e s ome Bran d Babyl on Cru e l Bro th e r Rob in
‘ ' Ho od s Progr e s s t o N o t t ingham The Je w s Daught e r
In nn n w the n a e e e i s c o e c t i o i th buryi g p l c , th r
the e the c omm onp la c e o f the p l ant s whi ch grow out o f gr av .
The typ i c a l form i s giv e n in Earl Brand
' d i n S t . Ma s K k B . 1 8 . Lord W i ll iam was bur i e ry ir ,
' ' M e ar e t in. ar s Lady uarg y qu i r ,
' n r e d s e Out o f the Lady s grave gr e w a b o n y r o ,
' And out o the kn ight s a br i ar .
a m e t an d e twa a 1 9 . An d th e y tw , th y p l t ,
An d fa i n the y wa d b e ne a r
' ke w e An d a the w orld m i ght n ri ght e l ,
They w e r e t wa l ov e r s d e ar .
V II I . ACT ION AND NARRAT ION .
One o f the s p e c i a l cha ra ct er i s t i c s o f b a ll ad s c om e s
d e the e d a a A un r h a o f ct i on nd n a rr a t i on . c c o rding t o
W m a n a t e hi t c o b , c t i on c o s i s t s o f ll h e v e nt s whi ch ar e sup
s e a n w a a n i s the m e e e n an d p o d t o h p p e , hi l e n rr t i o r t l l i g , may om i t s om e a c t i on ; thi s c o nd e n s e d na rra t i on he ca l l s
s t e s a e ar t w e a e s a fore hort en ing , h ort o f n rra t iv hi ch r ch
a o e l b o ra t e ve ry hi gh degr e e i n the b a l l ad s . The re r e n a
n n s s the shad ings n o r van i shi g p o i t o f v i i on , but p i cture i s brought t o the m in d i n a s t a rt ingly n e ar and b o ld out
a fu n n s s ma a m l ine by s ki ll l , though u c o c i ou n ipul t i on o f ove
m s s e a . e nt , su p en or d i l og
a Su s e n s e . . g
In Edw ard ( 1 3 ) i t i s by a c omb i n a t i on o f the
e s e d n the n a n s , l a t t e r . The su s p e ns e i h l u t i l fi l l i
The the who l e i s p r e s e nt e d by me an s o f d i al og .
th n h e arrat i on o f the r i d e ; t e n the qu i ck e n d ing wh i ch i s
p artly i n d i a l og a s Earl Brand ca l l s up o n hi s m o the r t o
" " ma hi s b e d the s ke ; then t anz a ,
B . 1 7 . d W am w a s d e a an e r e m dn Lor i ll i d l g i i ght ,
a Ma a a e L dy rg re t l ng e r day .
The a a n s e w w b e e n at re l c t i o o f the trag dy , hi ch oul d gi v
i n a n e i s m l ength ov l , s i p ly t ouched in the b a ll ad . The
e e the narra t i on o f th d e a th i t s l f o c cup i e s l i tt l e o f b all a d ,
s the ow a in fo ll ing ,
e a d 81 . L itt l Mu s grav e and Lady Barn r .
e a d Ba n a s k A . 2 5 . The ne x t s t rok th t L or r rd t r o e ,
e L i tt l e Ku s gr ave n e r e s t ruck m o r .
e 49 . Twa Bro th r s .
’ a n S i r W s A . 2 . The re wa s k i fe in ill i e p ou ch ,
G i e d him a d e adly w ound .
51 . L i z i e Wan .
' a e d a ff L i z i e s e a , A . 5 . .And he h s cut t h d
e And her fa ir b o dy i n thr e .
' P ourquo i J e n t e nd s p l eur e r a in s i ?
' Ma s c s s l e s s n fan t fi ll ont s ,
u i s e a n e n da m d s d Q p l ig t a l en t s .
- fMa i s d s mo i ma mé r e m . m i e it e , , a ,
P ourqu o i l e s fe mm e s p l e uren t au s s i '
' ' M e s un e a fi l l , c e t c ouv rt d arge n t
' e Qu on a p erdu en chaud an t .
P our nu couv e rt faut - i l p l eure r ?
a e e Il v udr a it b i en m i ux l r e cher ch er .
- M d s m o i ma ma m m i s . a i a i t e , re , a
a Pourquo i l e s homm e s p l eurent u s s i .
' ' M un d e s x s a fi l l e , c e s t chevau gr i
' ' e é ur i e Qu on a p rdu a l c ,
? P our un ch e val faut - i l p l e ur e r
' e Ca n a vaut p a s d e s a ffl ig r .
” o n mar i qu i e at a B ord e aux
' ’ Va m s n envoye r d e p lu s b e aux .
' e - o i m me r e ma m i s Ma i s d it s m , a ,
' P ourquo i J e n t s n d s c ogn e r a ins i .
' e o s s l e s a e n e s Ma fil l , ont ch rp t i r
Ma i a d e s - m o i ma me r e ma m i i t , , s ,
P ourqu o i c e t t s b e l l s t omb s fra i chs i c i
' ' ' Ma e e n lux t s a fil l , J p p lu s l e che r .
' ' e s t o m ' C t n a ri qu s s t déc éd é .
' Ma m e e d e s u r , i t e fo s s oye ur .
' Qu il c r e us s un e fo s s e p our d s ux ;
' Et qu e l e ap a c s y s o i t s i gr an d
' ' Que l on y m e tt e auas i l enfan t .
Th i s b a l l a d ha s n o t qu i t e the s am e s t art l i ng e ffe ct tha t
a d s s s a i En s t e n r e b l l a o f thi ort h ve n gl i h , but h c o s t ant
o f as s an d e a n a t the e nd i s i n the p et i t i on phr e , rev l t i o ,
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