Ipswich by Eugene Field (1896)
The poem tells the story of a man who is reminiscing about his childhood and his hometown of Ipswich. He describes the town's landscape, its people, and his own feelings of nostalgia and longing. The poem explores themes of childhood innocence, the passing of time, and the human connection to place.
By Eugene Field · First published 1896 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Fantasy · 443 words
First lines
IN Ipswich nights are cool and fair, / And the voice that comes from the yonder sea / Sings to the quaint old mansions there / Of "the time, the time that used to be; " / And the quaint old mansions rock and groan, / And they seem to say in an undertone, / With half a sigh and with half a moan: / "It was, but it never again will be."
In Ipswich witches weave at night / Their magic, spells with impish glee; / They shriek and laugh in their demon flight / From the old Main House to the frightened sea.
What this Textopian page supports
Ipswich is listed on Textopian as a poem by Eugene Field, dated 1896 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Eugene Field
- Date: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Fantasy, Gothic, Historical
- Length: 443 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Ipswich by Eugene Field
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of nostalgia, love, and the beauty of the past are prevalent, aligning with Romantic ideals.
- Fantasy — Elements of witches, magic, and ghosts introduce fantastical elements to the narrative.
- Gothic — The presence of eerie settings, supernatural beings, and a melancholic tone reflects Gothic influences.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Regionalism · Local Color · Rural Life · Village Life · Social Commentary · Humor · Satire · Whimsy · Nostalgia