Also 4–6 balade. [An earlier (also mod.F.) spelling and pronunciation of BALLAD, now used as a technical term. (In 14–15th c. bala·de; in 16th also ballade, but then pronounced ba·llad); 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.
