Little Mistress Sans-Merci
The story revolves around a young girl who lives with her mother and brother in a small cottage near a forest. The mother is beautiful but cold-hearted, and the brother is kind and gentle. One day, the mother disappears, leaving behind only a mysterious letter. The girl and her brother search for their mother but instead find themselves on a journey of self-discovery.
By Eugene Field · First published 1897 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric · 277 words
First lines
Little Mistress Sans-Merci Fareth world-wide, fancy free: Trotteth cooing to and fro, And her cooing is command -- Never ruled there yet, I trow, Mightier despot in the land.
And my heart it lieth where Mistress Sans-Merci doth fare.
Little Mistress Sans-Merci -- She hath made a slave of me! "Go," she biddeth, and I go -- "Come," and I am fain to come -- Never mercy doth she show, Be she wroth or frolicsome, Yet am I content to be Slave to Mistress Sans-Merci!
Little Mistress Sans-Merci Hath become so dear to me That I count as passing sweet All the pain her moods impart, And I bless the little feet That go trampling on my heart: Ah, how lonely life would be But for little Sans-Merci!
What this Textopian page supports
Little Mistress Sans-Merci is listed on Textopian as a short story by Eugene Field, dated 1897 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Eugene Field
- Date: 1897 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric, Narrative, Humor
- Length: 277 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Little Mistress Sans-Merci by Eugene Field
- 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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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Romanticism — The themes of love, longing, and emotional expression align with Romantic literary ideals.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal feelings and emotions, typical of lyric poetry.
- Narrative — The poem tells a story of devotion and emotional conflict, fitting the narrative genre.
Tags
Children's Literature · Poetry · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Irony · Whimsical · Fantasy · Imagination · Playful · Lighthearted · Quirky