Ninon and Roses by Gilbert Frankau
Ninon and Roses is a novel by Gilbert Frankau that tells the story of Ninon de l'Enclos, a famous French courtesan who lived during the reign of Louis XIV. The book follows her life from childhood to old age, exploring her relationships with various men and women, as well as her political intrigues and intellectual pursuits. It is considered a classic work of historical fiction.
By Gilbert Frankau · First published 1935 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, War · 279 words
First lines
Here, in a land where hardly a rose is, Silkiest blossoms of broidered flowers Brush my cheek as each tired eye closes, Haunt my sleep through the desolate hours.
Roses never of nature's making, Roses loved for a rose-red night, Roses visioned at dawn-light's breaking Veiling a bosom as roses white!
Why does the ghost of you linger and stay with me -- Ghost of the rose-buds that perfumed our bed, Ghost of a rose-girl who blossomed to play with me -- Here in a land where the roses are dead?
Day-time and night-time the death-flower blazes, Saffron at gun-lip and orange and red, Here where June's rose-tree lies shattered as May's is, Here where I dream of the nights that are dead --
What this Textopian page supports
Ninon and Roses is listed on Textopian as a poem by Gilbert Frankau, dated 1935 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Gilbert Frankau
- Date: 1935 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romance, War, Symbolism, Lyrical
- Length: 279 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Ninon and Roses by Gilbert Frankau
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Ninon and Roses?
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm and imagery, characteristic of poetry.
- Romance — The themes revolve around love, longing, and memories of a romantic relationship.
- War — References to guns and shattered landscapes suggest a backdrop of war, influencing the narrative.
- Symbolism — The use of roses and other imagery serves as symbols for deeper emotional and thematic elements.
Tags
romance · drama · historical · love story · relationships · conflict · passion · betrayal · society · family · identity · loss