Ad Nepotem by Robert Louis Stevenson

Name: Ad Nepotem
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson

The poem addresses a neighbor, Nepos, who is overly protective of his daughter, prioritizing her well-being over his own enjoyment of life. The speaker emphasizes the importance of balance between parental responsibilities and personal pleasures. He urges Nepos to allow his daughter to experience life and its joys, rather than hoarding wealth and focusing solely on her future. The speaker suggests that while it is noble to care for one's child, it is equally important for parents to partake in life's pleasures, such as enjoying fine wine and companionship. The poem reflects on themes of familial love, the passage of time, and the need for a harmonious existence that includes both duty and enjoyment. The speaker advocates for a life that embraces both the joys of youth and the wisdom of age, encouraging Nepos to find a middle ground where he can celebrate life alongside his daughter’s growth.

By Robert Louis Stevenson · First published 1892 · Genre: Poetry, Satire, Philosophical · 217 words

First lines

O NEPOS, twice my neigh(b)our (since at home / We're door by door, by Flora's temple dome; / And in the country, still conjoined by fate, / Behold our villas standing gate by gate), / Thou hast a daughter, dearer far than life- / Thy image and the image of thy wife.

Thy image and thy wife's, and be it so!

But why for her, [ neglect the flowing / O Nepos, leave the ] can

And lose the prime of thy Falernian? / Hoard casks of money, if to hoard be thine; / But let thy daughter drink a younger wine! / Let her go rich and wise, in silk and fur;

Open reader

Similar titles

Genres

Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
Satire — The poem critiques social norms and parental behavior in a humorous manner.
Philosophical — It explores themes of life, enjoyment, and the responsibilities of parenthood.
Classical Literature — The style and themes reflect influences from classical Roman poetry.

What this Textopian page supports

Ad Nepotem is listed on Textopian as an essay by Robert Louis Stevenson, dated 1892 CE.

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

Work type: Essay
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
Date: 1892 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Satire, Philosophical, Classical Literature, Lyric
Length: 217 words
Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Ad Nepotem by Robert Louis Stevenson
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph