An Old Man To His Sleeping Young Bride
The poem explores the theme of love and mortality. An old man sits beside his sleeping young bride, contemplating their vast age difference and the inevitability of his own death. He acknowledges that he will soon leave her behind, but takes comfort in the knowledge that she will survive him and find happiness again. The poem conveys a sense of melancholy and resignation, as the old man accepts his fate and cherishes the fleeting moments they share together.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1887 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Drama · 495 words
First lines
As when the old moon lighted by the tender / And radiant crescent of the new is seen, / And for a moment's space suggests the splendor / Of what in its full prime it once has been, / So on my waning years you cast the glory / Of youth and pleasure, for a little hour; / And life again seems like an unread story, / And joy and hope both stir me with their power.
What this Textopian page supports
An Old Man To His Sleeping Young Bride is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1887 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: 1887 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romance, Drama, Philosophical
- Length: 495 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for An Old Man To His Sleeping Young Bride by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse form with a focus on rhythm, meter, and vivid imagery.
- Romance — The central theme revolves around love, desire, and the emotional complexities of a relationship between an older man and a younger woman.
- Drama — The narrative explores intense emotional conflicts, jealousy, and existential angst, which are hallmarks of dramatic literature.
- Philosophical — The text delves into existential questions about life, love, and the passage of time, reflecting on deeper philosophical themes.
Tags
Love · Death · Mortality · Aging · Marriage · Relationships · Romance · Poetry · Literature · American Literature · 19th Century · Victorian Era