Two Lullabies by Edith Nesbit (1902)
The poem presents two contrasting lullabies. The first one describes a life of luxury and wealth, where the child will have everything they need and will be charitable with their abundance. The second lullaby portrays a life of poverty, where the mother struggles to provide for her child and wonders if it's worth staying in a situation that offers no opportunities. Despite the hardships, the mother's love for her child remains strong.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1902 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Poetry · 679 words
First lines
I.
Sleep, sleep, my little baby dear, Thee shall no want or pain come near; Sleep softly on thy downy nest, Or on this lace-veiled mother-breast.
What this Textopian page supports
Two Lullabies 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: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Poetry
- Length: 679 words
- Structure: 1 section, 16 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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- Work identity for Two Lullabies by Edith Nesbit
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Two Lullabies?
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Similar titles
- Lullaby by Edith Nesbit
- The Snails Dream by Oliver Herford
- Do Cats Come Back by Oliver Herford
- Little Maid O Dreams by James Whitcomb Riley
- To A Child Rosamund by Edith Nesbit
- The Magic Flower by Edith Nesbit
Genres
- Children's Literature — The book is primarily aimed at young readers with its simple language and themes of childhood.
- Fantasy — The book contains elements of the fantastical, with magical occurrences and creatures.
- Poetry — The book is written in verse, making it a work of poetry.
Tags
Children's Literature · Poetry · Lullabies · Nursery Rhymes · Victorian Era · British Literature · Classic Literature · Short Poems · Motherly Love · Infancy · Childhood · Sleep