Poetic Terms Dictionary
Poetic Form

Ballad

From Old French balade: dancing song. The literary ballad was revived by the Romantics (Coleridge's Rime, Keats' La Belle Dame sans Merci).

Definition

A narrative poem, often of folk origin, typically with short stanzas and a refrain and intended for singing.

Example

'Lord Randal', 'Barbara Allen' — anonymous ballads with dramatic story and ABCB rhyme scheme.

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