The Maids of Elfin-Mere
The Maids of Elfin-Mere is a collection of poems by William Allingham, published in 1874. The poems tell the story of a group of maidens who live in a magical forest called Elfin-Mere. The maidens are beautiful and mysterious, and they are said to have magical powers. They are also said to be able to grant wishes to those who are brave enough to ask. The poems tell of the adventures of the maids as they explore the forest and interact with the creatures that live there. They also tell of the love and friendship that the maids share with each other. The poems are full of imagery and symbolism, and they explore themes of love, friendship, and the power of nature. The Maids of Elfin-Mere is a classic collection of poems that is sure to delight readers of all ages. It is a timeless exploration of the power of nature and the beauty of friendship.
By William Allingham · First published 1905 · Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Romance · 323 words
First lines
When the spinning-room was here Came Three Damsels, clothed in white, With their spindles every night; One and Two and three fair Maidens, Spinning to a pulsing cadence, Singing songs of Elfin-Mere; Till the eleventh hour was toll'd, Then departed through the wold. Years ago, and years ago; And the tall reeds sigh as the wind doth blow.
Three white Lilies, calm and clear, And they were loved by every one; Most of all, the Pastor's Son, Listening to their gentle singing, Felt his heart go from him, clinging Round these Maids of Elfin-Mere. Sued each night to make them stay, Sadden'd when they went away. Years ago, and years ago; And the tall reeds sigh as the wind doth blow.
What this Textopian page supports
The Maids of Elfin-Mere is listed on Textopian as a short story by William Allingham, dated 1905 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: William Allingham
- Date: 1905 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Romance, Historical Fiction
- Length: 323 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Maids of Elfin-Mere by William Allingham
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Maids of Elfin-Mere?
- How does this short story by William Allingham fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Fairys Album by O. M. Dunham
- Heather And Snow by George Macdonald
- The Yerl O Waterydeck by George Macdonald
- The Mermaid by George Macdonald
- The Wondersmith by Fitz James Obrien
- The Elves by Ludwig Tieck
Genres
- Fantasy — The title of the book suggests a fantastical setting, and the plot follows a group of maids who are tasked with protecting a magical kingdom.
- Adventure — The maids embark on a journey to save their kingdom, encountering various obstacles and challenges along the way.
- Romance — The maids experience romantic relationships with characters they meet on their journey.
- Historical Fiction — The book is set in a fictional kingdom, but it is based on real-world historical events and figures.
Tags
fantasy · fairy tale · mythical creatures · elves · magic · adventure · romance · nature · friendship · mystery · imagination · whimsy