Bridal Ballad by Edith Nesbit (1887)
A bride prepares for her wedding night, adorning herself with jewels and roses. Her groom arrives, and they exchange romantic kisses. However, the bride reveals that she has poisoned him, seeking revenge for his infidelity. She explains that he should have loved only one person, but instead, he was false to both her and another woman. The groom dies on their bridal bed, and the bride declares that she will justify her actions before God, believing that He will judge her hand clean.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1887 · Genre: Romance, Historical Fiction, Drama · 599 words
First lines
"Come, fill me flagons full and fair Of red wine and of white, And, maidens mine, my bower prepare -- It is my wedding night.
"And braid my hair with jewels bright, And make me fair and fine -- This is the day that brings the night When my desire is mine."
What this Textopian page supports
Bridal Ballad is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edith Nesbit, dated 1887 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: 1887 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Drama
- Length: 599 words
- Structure: 1 section, 16 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Bridal Ballad by Edith Nesbit
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Bridal Ballad?
- 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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- The Death Of Agnes by Edith Nesbit
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Genres
- Romance — The story revolves around love and relationships, with a focus on the emotional bonds between characters.
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set in a specific historical period, with the characters and events influenced by real historical circumstances.
- Drama — The narrative is characterized by conflict, tension, and emotional intensity, often involving interpersonal relationships.
Tags
Gothic Fiction · Romance · Mystery · Supernatural · Fantasy · Horror · Victorian Era · Marriage · Love Story · Tragedy · Death · Loss