The blacksmith's son, with hammer strong,
He forged the steel all day long.
His muscles ached, his brow was wet,
But he never complained, he never fret.
He loved the lass with eyes so bright,
Who lived across the fields, a beacon of light.
But her father, a lord of great renown,
Forbade their love, and cast him down.
One day, a dragon, fierce and bold,
Threatened the kingdom, young and old.
The king cried out, "Who will save our land?"
The blacksmith's son stepped forward, his hammer in hand.
He rode forth on his trusty steed,
With courage in his heart, a valiant deed.
He faced the dragon, fiery and grand,
And with one blow, he struck it from the land.
The king, impressed, gave him his hand,
And to the blacksmith's son, the lass he planned.
Their love now blessed, their lives were bright,
The blacksmith's son, a hero in the light.
This ballad contains the following elements common to the genre:
* Narrative: It tells a story with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
* Simple language: The language is straightforward and easy to understand.
* Repetition and rhyme: The poem utilizes repetition of phrases and a simple rhyme scheme (ABAB).
* Focus on heroes and adventure: It highlights the bravery and courage of the blacksmith's son.
* Folklore elements: The story features a dragon, a common element in folklore.
This is a simple example, but it illustrates the basic features of a ballad. You can find many more complex and fascinating ballads in the literary world, often telling tales of love, loss, and adventure.