EXAMPLE OF BALLAD

The Last Request The ship was asail. The cool air was clean. McHagerty looked at his true love and beamed. She looked to his eyes and she suddenly knew that her love for him was forever through.
She gazed at the captain, out, steering above. It was only for him that her heart gave out love. When Mc Hagerty noticed her look, he felt pain. "I must get her loving me well once again!" He challenged the captain to a sword's duel. The winner the maiden's loving would rule. Ah, but the captain with the sword was a man! With one sweeping slash knocked the sword from his hand. McHagerty's hope was thoroughly gone. The captain ordered him murdered at dawn. The night passed quite quickly. The sun cast its rays. Yes, Thomas McHagerty would die today. "Do I have one request before I die?" He looked at the captain who then said, "Aye." He lifted his hand to wave goodbye,
and slugged his true love in the eye.

398. Lord Gregory: A Ballad by Robert Burns

O MIRK, mirk is this midnight hour, And loud the tempests roar; A waefu wanderer seeks thy tower, Lord Gregory, ope thy door. An exile frae her fathers ha, And a for loving thee; At least some pity on me shaw, If love it may na be. Lord Gregory, mindst thou not the grove By bonie Irwine side, Where first I ownd that virgin love I lang, lang had denied. How aften didst thou pledge and vow Thou wad for aye be mine! And my fond heart, itsel sae true, It neer mistrusted thine. Hard is thy heart, Lord Gregory, And flinty is thy breast: Thou bolt of Heaven that flashest by, O, wilt thou bring me rest! Ye mustering thunders from above, Your willing victim see; But spare and pardon my fause Love, His wrangs to Heaven and me.