Silence by Edith Nesbit (1902)
The poem describes a quiet and peaceful night scene where silence reigns supreme. The lamp emits silence like light, and the open windows reveal the stillness outside. Even the nightingale's faint song is likened to musical silence. The empty house, which normally calls out to the speaker, remains silent, its usual taunts suppressed. In this atmosphere, grief is momentarily forgotten, and even the speaker's longing soul is subdued by the silence of the hour.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1902 · Genre: Fantasy, Children's Literature, Adventure · 124 words
First lines
So silent is the world to-night The lamp gives silence out like light, The latticed windows open wide Show silence, like the night, outside: The nightingale's faint song draws near Like musical silence to mine ear.
The empty house calls not to me, "Here, but for fate, were thou and she -- " Its gibe for once is checked. To-night Silence is queen in grief's despite, And even the longing of my soul Is silent 'neath this hour's control.
What this Textopian page supports
Silence is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edith Nesbit, dated 1902 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: 1902 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Children's Literature, Adventure, Mystery
- Length: 124 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Silence 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 Silence?
- How does this short story by Edith Nesbit fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Vain Spell by Edith Nesbit
- Chloe by Edith Nesbit
- The Garden by Edith Nesbit
- Winter by Edith Nesbit
- The Blue Mountain by Edith Nesbit
- February by Edith Nesbit
Genres
- Fantasy — The narrative involves magical elements and supernatural events.
- Children's Literature — The story is primarily aimed at young readers.
- Adventure — The plot involves a journey and exploration.
- Mystery — The narrative contains elements of suspense and unknown.
Tags
Fantasy · Children's Literature · Adventure · Mystery · Supernatural · Fiction · Classic · British Literature · Early 20th Century · Youth Fiction · Quest · Magic