The Vain King (Legends) by Henry Van Dyke

Name: The Vain King (Legends)
Author: Henry Van Dyke

This work is a collection of short stories that explore the human condition through allegory and symbolism. The tales are set in a fantastical world where characters embody various virtues and vices, often with humorous results. The stories critique societal norms and conventions while promoting moral values such as humility, compassion, and self-awareness.

By Henry Van Dyke · First published 1904 · Genre: Fable, Fantasy, Poetry · 1,621 words

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First lines

In robes of Tyrian blue the King was drest, / A jewelled collar shone upon his breast, / A giant ruby glittered in his crown -- / Lord of rich lands and many a splendid town. / In him the glories of an ancient line / Of sober kings, who ruled by right divine, / Were centred; and to him with loyal awe / The people looked for leadership and law. / Ten thousand knights, the safeguard of the land, / Lay like a single sword within his hand; / A hundred courts, with power of life and death, / Proclaimed decrees of justice by his breath; / And all the sacred growths that men had known / Of order and of rule upheld his throne.

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The Vain King (Legends) is listed on Textopian as a poem by Henry Van Dyke, dated 1904 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Poem
Author: Henry Van Dyke
Date: 1904 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fable, Fantasy, Poetry, Allegory, Mythology
Length: 1,621 words
Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Genres

Fable — The narrative uses anthropomorphism and moral lessons, typical of fables, to convey the consequences of vanity and pride.
Fantasy — The story includes fantastical elements such as a River-god and magical transformations, which are hallmarks of the fantasy genre.
Poetry — The work is written in verse form, employing rhyme and meter, which are characteristic of poetry.
Allegory — The narrative serves as an allegory for the pitfalls of vanity and the responsibilities of leadership, using symbolic characters and events.