From the Italian by Edith Nesbit
The narrator compares their love to a child who has been scolded and is now sleeping fitfully. Despite the joyful noise of others playing in the woods, the narrator's love remains dormant, but warns that if awakened, it will lash out at the happy children and destroy their toys.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1907 · Genre: Romance, Historical Fiction, Adventure · 147 words
First lines
AS a little child whom his mother has chidden, Wrecked in the dark in a storm of weeping, Sleeps with his tear-stained eyes closed hidden And, with fists clenched, sobs still in his sleeping,
So in my breast sleeps Love, O white lady, What does he care though the rest are playing, With rattles and drums in the woodlands shady, Happy children, whom Joy takes maying!
Ah, do not wake him, lest you should hear him Scolding the others, breaking their rattles, Smashing their drums, when their play comes near him -- Love who, for me, is a god of battles!
What this Textopian page supports
From the Italian is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edith Nesbit, dated 1907 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: 1907 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Adventure
- Length: 147 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for From the Italian 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 From the Italian?
- 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
- The Will To Live by Edith Nesbit
- In Age by Edith Nesbit
- O T by Hans Christian Andersen
- On The Downs by Edith Nesbit
- The Old Dispensation by Edith Nesbit
- From The Tuscan by Edith Nesbit
Genres
- Romance — The narrative primarily revolves around love and relationships.
- Historical Fiction — The story is set in a specific historical period and includes references to real historical events.
- Adventure — The plot involves a journey or quest with elements of danger and excitement.
Tags
Victorian Era · Children's Literature · Fantasy Fiction · Adventure Story · Coming of Age · Self Discovery · Friendship · Family Relationships · Growing Up · Imagination · Magic Realism · Romance