The Maiden's Prayer by Edith Nesbit
The story revolves around a young maiden's prayer to Spring, asking for beauty, joy, and love. She requests that Spring bring her a lover and teach her how to love. The poem is a lyrical expression of the maiden's longing for romance and connection.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1889 · Genre: Romance, Drama, Historical Fiction · 179 words
First lines
SPRING, pretty Spring, what treasure do you bring to me? Green grass and buttercups, cherry-bloom and may? Sunshine to be glad with me, and little birds to sing to me? Warm nests to call me along the woodland way?
Spring, happy Spring, what wonder will you do for me? Light the tulip lanterns, and set the furze a-fire? Fill your sky with sails of cloud on waves of living blue for me? Show me green cornfields and budding of the briar?
Spring, darling Spring, my days will not return to me, You who see them fleeting, you, all time above, You who move the whole world's heart, ah move one heart to turn to me, -- Bring me a lover, and teach me how to love!
What this Textopian page supports
The Maiden's Prayer is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edith Nesbit, dated 1889 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: 1889 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romance, Drama, Historical Fiction
- Length: 179 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Maiden's Prayer 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 The Maiden's Prayer?
- How does this short story by Edith Nesbit fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Romance first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Romance — The narrative primarily revolves around love and relationships.
- Drama — The story contains elements of conflict and emotional tension.
- Historical Fiction — The setting and context are based in a specific historical period.
Tags
Victorian Era · Gothic Fiction · Mystery · Supernatural · Romance · Tragedy · Family Drama · Social Class · Religion · Spirituality · Folklore · Mythology