The Speeding of the King's Spite
This poem explores themes of revenge and retribution through a monarch who seeks to punish those who have wronged him by speeding up the natural order of life and death. The king's actions are driven by his desire for justice, but ultimately lead to chaos and destruction.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1879 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Romance, Fantasy · 1,428 words
First lines
A king -- estranged from his loving Queen / By a foolish royal whim -- / Tired and sick of the dull routine / Of matters surrounding him -- / Issued a mandate in this wise. -- / "THE DOWER OF MY DAUGHTER'S HAND / I WILL GIVE TO HIM WHO HOLDS THIS PRIZE, / THE STRANGEST THING IN THE LAND."
But the King, sad sooth! in this grim decree / Had a motive low and mean; -- / 'Twas a royal piece of chicanery / To harry and spite the Queen; / For King though he was, and beyond compare, / He had ruled all things save one -- / Then blamed the Queen that his only heir / Was a daughter -- not a son.
What this Textopian page supports
The Speeding of the King's Spite is listed on Textopian as a short story by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1879 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: James Whitcomb Riley
- Date: 1879 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fairy Tale, Romance, Fantasy, Poetry, Drama
- Length: 1,428 words
- Structure: 1 section, 17 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Speeding of the King's Spite by James Whitcomb Riley
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Fairy Tale — The narrative involves a king, a princess, and a series of fantastical challenges, typical elements of a fairy tale.
- Romance — The central plot revolves around love, marriage, and the resolution of romantic conflict.
- Fantasy — The story includes magical and fantastical elements, such as a veil of gold and a bird that can whistle a tune.
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, with a focus on rhythm and rhyme.
Tags
Fiction · Novel · Historical Fiction · Literary Fiction · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · Coming of Age · Social Commentary · Satire · Humor · Poetic Prose · Symbolism