A Bride by James Whitcomb Riley
The poem describes a young bride's first night with her husband, but instead of romantic intimacy, she spends the evening crying and mourning the loss of her childhood innocence. The speaker reflects on how quickly life has changed for the bride, from being a carefree girl to becoming a wife.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1887 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Tragedy · 251 words
First lines
"O I am weary! " she sighed, as her billowy Hair she unloosed in a torrent of gold That rippled and fell o'er a figure as willowy, Graceful and fair as a goddess of old: Over her jewels she flung herself drearily, Crumpled the laces that snowed on her breast, Crushed with her fingers the lily that wearily Clung in her hair like a dove in its nest.
And naught but her shadowy form in the mirror To kneel in dumb agony down and weep near her!
"Weary -- ? " Of what? Could we fathom the mystery -- ?
Lift up the lashes weighed down by her tears And wash with their dews one white face from her history, Set like a gem in the red rust of years?
What this Textopian page supports
A Bride is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1887 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: James Whitcomb Riley
- Date: 1887 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romance, Tragedy, Drama
- Length: 251 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Bride by James Whitcomb Riley
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm, meter, and imagery, characteristic of poetry.
- Romance — The themes revolve around love, longing, and emotional turmoil, central to romantic literature.
- Tragedy — The narrative conveys a sense of loss and sorrow, with references to death and unfulfilled desires, typical of tragic themes.
- Drama — The emotional intensity and conflict present in the narrative align with dramatic literature.
Tags
Poetry · Romance · Marriage · Love · Folklore · American Literature · 19th Century · Short Poem · Free Verse · Symbolism · Nature Imagery · Seasonal Theme