A Farewell by Edith Nesbit (1909)
The poem is a lamentation of a separation between two lovers. The speaker describes the depth of their emotional connection, stating that they have given each other their hearts and souls. They acknowledge that life cannot give them more than what they already have - each other's love and affection. However, fate has torn them apart, leaving their arms empty. Despite this, they assert that their bond remains unbroken, even in the face of death, which they will inevitably encounter.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1909 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure · 224 words
First lines
GOOD-BYE, good-bye; it is not hard to part! You have my heart-the heart that leaps to hear Your name called by an echo in a dream; You have my soul that, like an untroubled stream, Reflects your soul that leans so dear, so near- Your heartbeats set the rhythm for my heart.
What more could Life give if we gave her leave To give, and Life should give us leave to take? Only each other's arms, each other's eyes, Each other's lips, the clinging secrecies That are but as the written words to make Records of what the heart and soul achieve.
This, only this we yield, my love, my friend, To Fate's implacable eyes and withering breath.
What this Textopian page supports
A Farewell is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edith Nesbit, dated 1909 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Edith Nesbit
- Date: 1909 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure
- Length: 224 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Farewell by Edith Nesbit
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Farewell?
- How does this short story by Edith Nesbit fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Children's Literature first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- After Sixty Years by Edith Nesbit
- In Memory Of Saretta Deakin by Edith Nesbit
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Genres
- Children's Literature — The narrative is primarily aimed at young readers, with a focus on adventure and moral lessons.
- Fantasy — The story incorporates elements of magic and supernatural phenomena.
- Adventure — The plot involves a series of exciting events and challenges.
Tags
Autobiography · Memoir · Biographical · Non-Fiction · Literary · Classic · British Literature · Early 20th Century · Personal Narrative · Reflective · Nostalgic · Historical