A Mesalliance by Edith Nesbit (1909)
The narrator reflects on their luxurious life, but feels unfulfilled and longs to be young again. They'd trade their riches for the simplicity of their past, watching from an orchard gate and smelling a specific rose that grew in a cottage garden. The narrator is tired of their lavish lifestyle and the jewels that adorn them, yearning instead for humble flowers like daisies from a special grave.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1909 · Genre: Romance, Drama, Historical Fiction · 166 words
First lines
I hear sweet music, rich gowns I wear, I live in splendour and state; But I'd give it all to be young once more, And steal through the old low-lintelled door, To watch at the orchard gate.
There are flowers by thousands these ball-rooms bear, Fair blossoms, wondrous and new; But all the flowers that a hot-house grows I would give for the scent of a certain rose That a cottage garden grew!
Oh, diamonds that sparkle on bosom and hair, Oh, rubies that glimmer and glow -- I am tired of my bargain and tired of you! I would give you all for a daisy or two From a little grave I know.
What this Textopian page supports
A Mesalliance 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: Romance, Drama, Historical Fiction
- Length: 166 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Mesalliance by Edith Nesbit
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Mesalliance?
- How does this short story by Edith Nesbit fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Romance first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- King Arthur And His Knights by Thomas Bulfinch
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- The Garden Of Swords by Max Pemberton
Genres
- Romance — The narrative primarily revolves around the romantic relationships of the characters.
- Drama — The plot involves intense interpersonal conflicts and emotional situations.
- Historical Fiction — The story is set in a specific historical period and includes references to real historical events.
Tags
Fantasy · Romance · Adventure · Magic · Medieval · Kingdoms · Royalty · Nobility · Classics · Children's Literature · Young Adult · Coming of Age