Guerdon by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The story revolves around Guerdon, a young and beautiful woman who lives with her uncle, a wealthy and cruel man, on his estate in the countryside. She falls in love with a poor but handsome and kind-hearted artist, Philip Norton, who is a tenant on her uncle's land. Despite their differences in social class, they get married secretly. However, their happiness is short-lived as Guerdon's uncle discovers their marriage and tries to destroy their relationship by spreading false rumors about Philip's past.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1891 · Genre: Poetry, Inspirational, Religious · 154 words
First lines
Upon the white cheek of the Cherub Year / I saw a tear. / Alas! I murmured, that the Year should borrow / So soon a sorrow. / Just then the sunlight fell with sudden flame: / The tear became / A wondrous diamond sparkling in the light- / A beauteous sight.
Upon my soul there fell such woeful loss, / I said, "The Cross / Is grievous for a life as young as mine. " / Just then, like wine, / God's sunlight shone from His high Heavens down; / And lo! a crown / Gleamed in the place of what I thought a burden- / My sorrow's guerdon.
What this Textopian page supports
Guerdon is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1891 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: 1891 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Inspirational, Religious, Philosophical
- Length: 154 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Guerdon 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
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse and employs poetic devices such as rhyme and metaphor.
- Inspirational — Themes of transformation and finding beauty in sorrow are central to the work.
- Religious — References to God's sunlight and a crown suggest a spiritual or religious undertone.
- Philosophical — The work contemplates the nature of sorrow and its potential to become something beautiful.
Tags
Romance · Novel · American Literature · Fiction · Historical Fiction · War · Love Story · Tragedy · Drama · Family Saga · Social Class · Wealth