The Ring by Hilaire Belloc (1909)
A young boy discovers a ring that grants him immense power and wealth, but at a terrible cost: he becomes increasingly isolated and withdrawn from his friends and family. As the story unfolds, the boy's obsession with the ring grows, leading to tragic consequences for those around him. The tale explores themes of greed, ambition, and the corrupting influence of power.
By Hilaire Belloc · First published 1909 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Fantasy · 178 words
First lines
When I was flying before the King In the wood of Valognes in my hiding, Although I had not anything I sent a woman a golden ring.
A Ring of the Moors beyond Leon With emerald and with diamond stone, And a writing no man ever had known, And an opal standing all alone.
The shape of the ring the heart to bind: The emerald turns from cold to kind: The writing makes her sure to find: -- But the evil opal changed her mind.
Now when the King was dead, was he, I came back hurriedly over the sea From the long rocks in Normandy To Bosham that is by Selsey.
What this Textopian page supports
The Ring is listed on Textopian as a poem by Hilaire Belloc, dated 1909 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Hilaire Belloc
- Date: 1909 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romance, Fantasy, Historical
- Length: 178 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Ring by Hilaire Belloc
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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 The Ring?
- How does this poem by Hilaire Belloc fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Romance — The narrative involves themes of love and relationships, as indicated by the exchange of a ring and emotional connections.
- Fantasy — Elements such as a magical ring with mystical properties suggest a fantasy genre.
- Historical — References to historical settings and figures, such as a king and locations like Normandy, imply a historical context.
Tags
Fiction · Novel · Fantasy · Adventure · Mystery · Supernatural · Horror · Dark Fantasy · Gothic Fiction · Romance · Coming of Age · Social Commentary