Within a Garden
The narrative unfolds in a garden where a maiden awaits her lover as evening descends. She experiences a mix of anticipation and anxiety, listening for his arrival to bid farewell. Their parting is marked by deep emotion as they exchange vows of fidelity despite the physical separation that the sea imposes. The maiden's commitment to her love remains steadfast over the years, as she continues to visit their meeting place, the trysting tree, holding onto her promise. Her sorrow is palpable as she mourns her lost love, who is now far away, yet her devotion endures, symbolizing the enduring nature of true love even in the face of separation and time. The work explores themes of love, loss, and fidelity, illustrating the emotional landscape of longing and remembrance. The garden serves as a poignant backdrop for the unfolding drama of love's trials, encapsulating the essence of hope and heartache intertwined.
By Sabine Baring-Gould · First published 1910 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Lyric · 163 words
First lines
H. F. S. [Music]
1. Within a garden a maiden lingered, When soft the shades of evening fell, Expecting, fearing, A footstep hearing, Her love appearing, To say farewell.
2. With sighs and sorrow their vows they plighted One more embrace, one last adieu; Tho' seas divide, love, In this confide, love, Whate'er betide, love, To thee I'm true.
3. Long years are over, and still the maiden Seeks oft at eve the trysting tree; Her promise keeping, And, faithful, weeping, Her lost love sleeping Across the sea.
What this Textopian page supports
Within a Garden is listed on Textopian as a poem by Sabine Baring-Gould, dated 1910 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Sabine Baring-Gould
- Date: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romance, Lyric, Drama, Nature
- Length: 163 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Within a Garden by Sabine Baring-Gould
- 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
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Within a Garden?
- How does this poem by Sabine Baring-Gould fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Romance — The themes revolve around love, longing, and emotional connections between characters.
- Lyric — The expression of personal feelings and emotions is central to the text, typical of lyric poetry.
- Drama — The narrative includes elements of conflict and emotional tension, akin to dramatic storytelling.
Tags
love · loss · longing · farewell · memory · faithfulness · nature · garden · evening · sorrow · vows · embrace