All in a Coach and Four
The story revolves around a romantic triangle between three characters: Sibyl, a beautiful and charming woman; Dr. Eric Yates, a handsome and wealthy doctor; and Harold Hanford, a poor but talented poet. The novel explores themes of love, class, and social status as the characters navigate their relationships with each other.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1890 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Fantasy · 358 words
First lines
The quality folk went riding by, All in a coach and four, And pretty Annette, in a calico gown (Bringing her marketing things from town), Stopped short with her Sunday store, And wondered if ever it should betide That she in a long plumed hat would ride Away in a coach and four.
A lord there was, oh a lonely soul, There in the coach and four. His years were young but his heart was old, And he hated his coaches and hated his gold (Those things which we all adore). And he thought how sweet it would be to trudge Along with the fair little country drudge, And away from his coach and four.
What this Textopian page supports
All in a Coach and Four is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1890 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Date: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romance, Fantasy, Satire
- Length: 358 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for All in a Coach and Four by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- 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 All in a Coach and Four?
- How does this poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Romance — The narrative centers around a romantic relationship between a lord and a country girl.
- Fantasy — The story contains elements of fantasy, such as the improbable marriage between a lord and a commoner.
- Satire — The ending reveals the story as a fanciful and untrue tale, suggesting a satirical tone.
Tags
Romance · Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Love · Relationships · Marriage · Society · Class · Status · Wealth · Travel