ballade
(bəˈlɑːd)
Also 4–6 balade.
[An earlier (also mod.F.) spelling and pronunciation of ballad n., now used as a technical term. (In 14–15th c. baˈlade; in 16th also ballade, but then pronounced ˈballad); see above.]
1. a. strictly, A poem consisting of one or more terns, or triplets of seven- or (afterwards) eight-lined stanzas each ending with the same line as refrain, and (usually) an envoy; e.g. Chaucer's Compleynt of Venus, To his Purse, etc. b. A poem divided into stanzas of equal length, usually of seven or eight lines. † c. occas. One of these stanzas (obs.).
| c 1385 Chaucer L.G.W. 270 This balade [of 3 seven-lined stanzas] may ful wel y-sungen be..by my lady free. c 1430 Lydg. Chichev. & Byc. in Dodsl. XII. 333 An ymage in poete wise seyeng these iii balades [7-lined stanzas]. c 1430 Shirley in Chaucer's Min. P. 412 A balade [Compleynt of Venus] translated out of frenshe in to englishe by Chaucier Geffrey. 1509 Barclay Ship of Fooles (1871) II. 2 My balade bare of frute and eloquence. 1882 Ch. Q. Rev. 374 Where Mr. Swinburne chooses to bind himself by the strict laws of..the ballade. |
2. abstr. or collect. Poetry of this form.
| c 1385 Chaucer L.G.W. 539 That ilke tyme thou made ‘hid Absolon thy tresses’ in balade. 1470 Harding Chron. Proem iv, Into balade I wyll it nowe translate. 1555 Fardle Facions ii. xi. 248 The victories of their forefathers and eldres, thei put into Balade. 1587 Gascoigne Instr. making Verse §14 A man may write Ballade in a staffe of five lines every line contayning eight or six sillables. |
3. ballade royal: stanzas of seven or (afterwards) eight lines of ten syllables; called also rime or rhythm royal.
The name originated in the fact that King James I of Scotland composed the King's Quair 1423, in 7-line stanzas of structure a b a b b c c. The Ballat Royal of James I of England had an additional b line between the two in c.
| 1483 Caxton Cato 2 Ful craftly hath made it in balade ryal. 1494 Fabyan vii. 406, I haue therfore set them out in baladde royall. 1585 James I. Ess. Poesie (Arb.) 67 This kynde of verse following, callit Ballat Royal. |
4. A piece of instrumental music, usually of a lyrical or romantic character (see quots.).
| 1863 F. Chopin (title) 3d. Ballade in A Flat. 1879 Grove Dict. Mus. I. 129/2 Ballade, a name adopted by Chopin for four pieces of pianoforte music (op. 23, 38, 47, 52) which, however brilliant or beautiful, have no peculiar form or character of their own, beyond being written in triple time. 1938 Oxf. Compan. Mus. 68/1 No particular one form is associated with the instrumental ballade. |