Analysis of Ballad

A fool wrote three signs in the sand,

A pale maiden stood there before him.

Loudly the sea sang, o it sang.

She held a cup in the hand,

Which gleamed up to the edge,

Like blood so red and heavy .

No word was spoken - the sun faded away,

Then the fool took the cup

Out of her hand and drank it empty.

Then its light extinguished in her hand,

The wind blew away the three signs in the sand -

Loudly the sea sang, o it sang.