'Ballad of the Goodly Fere' by Ezra Pound
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Simon Zelotes speaketh it somewhile after the Crucifixion
Ha' we lost the goodliest fere o' all
For the priests and the gallows tree?
Aye lover he was of brawny men,
O' ships and the open sea.
When they came wi' a host to take Our Man
His smile was good to see,
"First let these go!" quo' our Goodly Fere,
"Or I'll see ye damned," says he.
Aye he sent us out through the crossed high spears
And the scorn of his laugh rang free,
"Why took ye not me when I walked about
Alone in the town?" says he.
Oh we drunk his "Hale" in the good red wine
When we last made company,
No capon priest was the Goodly Fere
But a man o' men was he.
I ha' seen him drive a hundred men
Wi' a bundle o' cords swung free,
That they took the high and holy house
For their pawn and treasury.
They'ss no' get him a' in a book I think
Though they write it cunningly;
No mouse of the scrolls was the Goodly Fere
But aye loved the open sea.
If they think they ha' snared our Goodly Fere
They are fools to the last degree.
"I'll go to the feast," quo' our Goodly Fere,
"Though I go to the gallows tree."
"Ye ha' seen me heal the lame and blind,
And wake the dead," says he,
"Ye shall see one thing to master all:
'Tis how a brave man dies on the tree."
A son of God was the Goodly Fere
That bade us his brothers be.
I ha' seen him cow a thousand men.
I have seen him upon the tree.
He cried no cry when they drave the nails
And the blood gushed hot and free,
The hounds of the crimson sky gave tongue
But never a cry cried he.
I ha' seen him cow a thousand men
On the hills o' Galilee,
They whined as he walked out calm between,
Wi' his eyes like the grey o' the sea,
Like the sea that brooks no voyaging
With the winds unleashed and free,
Like the sea he cowed at Genseret
Wi' twey words spoke' suddently.
A master of men was the Goodly Fere,
A mate of the wind and sea,
If they think they ha' slain our Goodly Fere
They are fools eternally.
I ha' seen him eat o' the honey-comb
Sin' they nailed him to the tree.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Ballad of the Goodly Fere: A Masterpiece of Modernist Poetry
Introduction
Ezra Pound's "Ballad of the Goodly Fere" is a masterpiece of modernist poetry. Written in 1909, the poem is often considered one of Pound's best works and a prominent example of the modernist aesthetic. At its core, the poem is a ballad that tells the story of a brave knight who sacrifices himself for his comrades. However, it is much more than that. The poem is a complex exploration of themes such as love, loyalty, sacrifice, and death. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine Pound's use of language, imagery, and structure to uncover the deeper meanings of the poem.
Structure
The "Ballad of the Goodly Fere" is a ballad, a type of poem that tells a story in a simple, narrative format. However, Pound's ballad is not a typical one. It does not follow the traditional AABB rhyme scheme, nor does it have a regular meter. Instead, Pound uses a free verse form, which allows him to experiment with the rhythm and sound of the poem. The irregular rhyme scheme and meter serve to create a sense of instability and uncertainty, echoing the themes of the poem.
The poem is divided into four stanzas of varying lengths, with each stanza representing a different aspect of the story. The first stanza introduces the Goodly Fere, a brave knight who leads a group of soldiers. The second stanza describes the love between the Goodly Fere and his lady. The third stanza describes the Goodly Fere's sacrifice for his comrades, and the fourth stanza describes his death and his comrades' mourning.
Language and Imagery
Pound's use of language and imagery is at the heart of the poem's power. He employs a mix of archaic and modern language, creating a unique blend that adds to the poem's otherworldly quality. For instance, he uses the archaic "fere" instead of "companion" or "friend," which creates a sense of timelessness and adds to the mythic quality of the poem.
The poem is also full of vivid, powerful imagery that brings the story to life. In the second stanza, Pound uses images of nature to describe the Goodly Fere's lady:
Her hair was like the brown sea weed,
So sleek it fell about her face.
The locks upon her forehead
Were like the sprays that summer makes.
These images not only describe the lady's appearance but also evoke a sense of the natural world and its beauty.
Pound's use of imagery is particularly effective in the third stanza, where he describes the Goodly Fere's sacrifice:
He has taken a new wound
And strange it is to see
For he must leave the red blood
For the white milk of death to be.
The image of "the white milk of death" is striking and powerful, evoking a sense of the Goodly Fere's sacrifice and the inevitability of death.
Themes
The "Ballad of the Goodly Fere" explores a number of themes, including love, loyalty, sacrifice, and death. Perhaps the most prominent theme is the idea of sacrifice. The Goodly Fere is willing to sacrifice himself for his comrades, and his sacrifice is seen as noble and heroic. Pound's use of language and imagery creates a sense of reverence for the Goodly Fere's sacrifice and underscores the idea that sacrifice is an important and necessary part of life.
Another important theme is the idea of loyalty. The Goodly Fere is loyal to his comrades, and they are loyal to him. Their loyalty is seen as a key part of their success and their ability to overcome adversity. The poem suggests that loyalty is essential for survival, whether in battle or in life.
Love is also a prominent theme in the poem. The Goodly Fere's love for his lady is described in vivid detail, and it is clear that their love is a source of strength and inspiration for him. However, Pound's depiction of love is not sentimental or romantic. Instead, it is a powerful force that drives the Goodly Fere to sacrifice himself for his comrades.
Finally, the poem explores the theme of death. The Goodly Fere's death is seen as tragic but also as a necessary part of life. His sacrifice is not in vain, as it allows his comrades to survive and succeed. The poem suggests that death is not something to be feared but accepted as a natural part of life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ezra Pound's "Ballad of the Goodly Fere" is a masterpiece of modernist poetry. Through his use of language, imagery, and structure, Pound creates a powerful narrative that explores themes such as love, loyalty, sacrifice, and death. The poem's unique blend of archaic and modern language, free verse form, and vivid imagery creates a sense of timelessness and otherworldliness that adds to its power. Overall, "Ballad of the Goodly Fere" is a haunting and beautiful poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Poetry Ballad of the Goodly Fere is a classic poem written by Ezra Pound, a renowned American poet, and critic. The poem is a ballad, a form of poetry that tells a story in a simple and direct manner. The Goodly Fere is a medieval term that means a good companion or a faithful friend. The poem is a tribute to a loyal and brave friend who sacrifices his life for his leader. The poem is a masterpiece of storytelling and a celebration of friendship, loyalty, and courage.
The poem is divided into three parts, each with a different tone and mood. The first part sets the scene and introduces the characters. The second part is the climax of the story, where the Goodly Fere sacrifices his life for his leader. The third part is the aftermath of the battle, where the leader mourns the loss of his friend.
The first part of the poem is a description of the Goodly Fere. The poet describes him as a brave and loyal friend who is always ready to fight for his leader. The Goodly Fere is a man of action, not words. He is not afraid of death and is willing to die for his cause. The poet also describes the Goodly Fere's physical appearance, his armor, and his weapons. The Goodly Fere is a formidable warrior, and his presence inspires confidence in his leader and his comrades.
The second part of the poem is the climax of the story. The leader and his army are surrounded by their enemies, and the situation seems hopeless. The Goodly Fere realizes that the only way to save his leader and his comrades is to sacrifice his life. He offers himself as a sacrifice and asks his leader to take his sword and fight on. The leader is reluctant to accept the offer, but the Goodly Fere insists. He tells his leader that he is his loyal friend and that he would rather die than see his leader and his comrades die. The Goodly Fere then charges into the enemy lines and fights bravely until he is mortally wounded.
The third part of the poem is the aftermath of the battle. The leader mourns the loss of his friend and praises his bravery and loyalty. He realizes that without the Goodly Fere, he would have been defeated. The leader also realizes that the Goodly Fere's sacrifice was not in vain. His sacrifice inspired his comrades to fight harder and to win the battle. The leader vows to honor the memory of his friend and to tell his story to future generations.
The poem is a celebration of friendship, loyalty, and courage. The Goodly Fere is the embodiment of these virtues. He is a loyal friend who is willing to sacrifice his life for his leader and his comrades. He is a brave warrior who is not afraid of death. He is a man of action who inspires confidence in his leader and his comrades. The Goodly Fere is a hero, and his story is a testament to the power of friendship and loyalty.
The poem is also a tribute to the medieval tradition of chivalry. Chivalry was a code of conduct that emphasized honor, loyalty, and courage. The Goodly Fere embodies these virtues and is a model of chivalry. The poem celebrates the ideals of chivalry and reminds us of the importance of these virtues in our lives.
The poem is also a masterpiece of storytelling. The poet uses simple and direct language to tell a powerful and moving story. The poem is full of vivid imagery and powerful emotions. The reader can feel the tension and the drama of the battle and can sense the bravery and the sacrifice of the Goodly Fere. The poem is a testament to the power of storytelling and the ability of poetry to move and inspire us.
In conclusion, the Poetry Ballad of the Goodly Fere is a classic poem that celebrates the virtues of friendship, loyalty, and courage. The poem is a tribute to the medieval tradition of chivalry and a masterpiece of storytelling. The Goodly Fere is a hero, and his story is a testament to the power of friendship and loyalty. The poem reminds us of the importance of these virtues in our lives and inspires us to be better friends, better leaders, and better human beings.
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