At Fontainebleau
The poem tells the story of a romantic and tragic love affair between two individuals from different social classes who meet at Fontainebleau, a royal palace in France. The narrator recounts how they fell deeply in love, but their social differences and the disapproval of the woman's family led to their separation.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1893 · Genre: Poetry, Historical, Tragedy · 166 words
First lines
At Fontainebleau, I saw a little bed Fashioned of polished wood, with gold ornate, Ambition, hope, and sorrow, ay, and hate Once battled there, above a childish head, And there in vain, grief wept, and memory plead It was so small! but Ah, dear God, how great The part it played in one sad woman's fate. How wide the gloom, that narrow object shed.
The symbol of an over-reaching aim, The emblem of a devastated joy, It spoke of glory, and a blasted home: Of fleeting honours, and disordered fame, And the lone passing of a fragile boy.
It was the cradle of the King of Rome.
What this Textopian page supports
At Fontainebleau is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1893 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: 1893 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Historical, Tragedy, Symbolism, Drama
- Length: 166 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for At Fontainebleau by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is written in verse form with a focus on rhythm and meter.
- Historical — References to historical figures and events, such as the King of Rome, are central to the narrative.
- Tragedy — Themes of sorrow, loss, and a devastated joy are prevalent throughout the text.
- Symbolism — The text uses symbolic objects, like the bed, to convey deeper meanings about ambition and fate.
Tags
Romance · Poetry · Love · Nature · French · Travel · Autobiographical · Memoir · Personal · Reflective · Contemplative · Historical