'The Highwayman' by Alfred Noyes

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The wind was a torrent of darkness upon the gusty trees,
The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas,
The road was a ribbon of moonlight looping the purple moor,
And the highwayman came riding--
Riding--riding--
The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn door.

He'd a French cocked hat on his forehead, and a bunch of lace at his chin;
He'd a coat of the claret velvet, and breeches of fine doe-skin.
They fitted with never a wrinkle; his boots were up to his thigh!
And he rode with a jeweled twinkle--
His rapier hilt a-twinkle--
His pistol butts a-twinkle, under the jeweled sky.

Over the cobbles he clattered and clashed in the dark inn-yard,
He tapped with his whip on the shutters, but all was locked and barred,
He whistled a tune to the window, and who should be waiting there
But the landlord's black-eyed daughter--
Bess, the landlord's daughter--
Plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair.

Dark in the dark old inn-yard a stable-wicket creaked
Where Tim, the ostler listened--his face was white and peaked--
His eyes were hollows of madness, his hair like mouldy hay,
But he loved the landlord's daughter--
The landlord's black-eyed daughter;
Dumb as a dog he listened, and he heard the robber say:

"One kiss, my bonny sweetheart; I'm after a prize tonight,
But I shall be back with the yellow gold before the morning light.
Yet if they press me sharply, and harry me through the day,
Then look for me by moonlight,
Watch for me by moonlight,
I'll come to thee by moonlight, though hell should bar the way."

He stood upright in the stirrups; he scarce could reach her hand,
But she loosened her hair in the casement! His face burnt like a brand
As the sweet black waves of perfume came tumbling o'er his breast,
Then he kissed its waves in the moonlight
(O sweet black waves in the moonlight!),
And he tugged at his reins in the moonlight, and galloped away to the west.

He did not come in the dawning; he did not come at noon.
And out of the tawny sunset, before the rise of the moon,
When the road was a gypsy's ribbon over the purple moor,
The redcoat troops came marching--
Marching--marching--
King George's men came marching, up to the old inn-door.

They said no word to the landlord; they drank his ale instead,
But they gagged his daughter and bound her to the foot of her narrow bed.
Two of them knelt at her casement, with muskets by their side;
There was Death at every window,
And Hell at one dark window,
For Bess could see, through her casement, the road that he would ride.

They had bound her up at attention, with many a sniggering jest!
They had tied a rifle beside her, with the barrel beneath her breast!
"Now keep good watch!" and they kissed her. She heard the dead man say,
"Look for me by moonlight,
Watch for me by moonlight,
I'll come to thee by moonlight, though Hell should bar the way."

She twisted her hands behind her, but all the knots held good!
She writhed her hands till her fingers were wet with sweat or blood!
They stretched and strained in the darkness,
and the hours crawled by like years,
Till, on the stroke of midnight,
Cold on the stroke of midnight,
The tip of one finger touched it! The trigger at least was hers!

The tip of one finger touched it, she strove no more for the rest;
Up, she stood up at attention, with the barrel beneath her breast.
She would not risk their hearing, she would not strive again,
For the road lay bare in the moonlight,
Blank and bare in the moonlight,
And the blood in her veins, in the moonlight, throbbed to her love's refrain.

Tlot tlot, tlot tlot! Had they heard it? The horse-hooves, ringing clear;
Tlot tlot, tlot tlot, in the distance! Were they deaf that they did not hear?
Down the ribbon of moonlight, over the brow of the hill,
The highwayman came riding--
Riding--riding--
The redcoats looked to their priming! She stood up straight and still.

Tlot tlot, in the frosty silence! Tlot tlot, in the echoing night!
Nearer he came and nearer! Her face was like a light!
Her eyes grew wide for a moment, she drew one last deep breath,
Then her finger moved in the moonlight--
Her musket shattered the moonlight--
Shattered her breast in the moonlight and warned him--with her death.

He turned, he spurred to the West; he did not know who stood
Bowed, with her head o'er the casement, drenched in her own red blood!
Not till the dawn did he hear it, and his face grew grey to hear
How Bess, the landlord's daughter,
The landlord's black-eyed daughter,
Had watched for her love in the moonlight, and died in the darkness there.

Back, he spurred like a madman, shrieking a curse to the sky,
With the white road smoking behind him and his rapier brandished high!
Blood-red were his spurs in the golden noon, wine-red was his velvet coat
When they shot him down in the highway,
Down like a dog in the highway,
And he lay in his blood in the highway, with the bunch of lace at his throat.

And still on a winter's night, they say, when the wind is in the trees,
When the moon is a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas,
When the road is a gypsy's ribbon looping the purple moor,
The highwayman comes riding--
Riding--riding--
The highwayman comes riding, up to the old inn-door.

Over the cobbles he clatters and clangs in the dark inn-yard,
He taps with his whip on the shutters, but all is locked and barred,
He whistles a tune to the window, and who should be waiting there
But the landlord's black-eyed daughter--
Bess, the landlord's daughter--
Plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes: A Masterpiece of Romantic Poetry

Have you ever read a poem that made your heart beat faster and your imagination run wild? A poem that transported you to a different time and place, where danger and passion coexist in a thrilling adventure? If you haven't, then you need to read "The Highwayman" by Alfred Noyes.

This timeless masterpiece of romantic poetry has captivated readers for over a century, with its vivid storytelling, memorable characters, and hauntingly beautiful language. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, symbols, and poetic devices that make "The Highwayman" a true work of art.

The Story

But first, let's summarize the plot of the poem, in case you haven't read it yet (and if you haven't, what are you waiting for?). "The Highwayman" is a narrative poem, which means it tells a story in verse. The story takes place in 18th-century England, when highwaymen (robbers who preyed on travelers) were a common sight on the roads.

The main characters are the highwayman himself, a dashing and daring figure who rides a black horse and carries a pistol; Bess, the landlord's daughter at the inn where the highwayman stops to rest; and Tim, the ostler (stable hand) who has a crush on Bess.

The poem begins with a description of the highwayman's appearance and reputation:

The wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees,
The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas,
The road was a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor,
And the highwayman came riding—
Riding—riding—
The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn-door.

We learn that the highwayman is fearless and bold, but also that he is a hunted man, pursued by the soldiers who want to capture him. Despite the danger, he is drawn to the inn where Bess works, and he meets her there.

They fall in love at first sight, and the rest of the poem follows their tragic fate. Bess is betrayed by Tim, who reveals the highwayman's whereabouts to the soldiers, hoping to win her heart. The highwayman rides back to the inn, unaware of the danger, and is ambushed by the soldiers. But before he is shot, he cries out to Bess, who hears his voice and knows he is in peril. In a desperate act of love and sacrifice, she shoots herself with the highwayman's pistol, so that he can escape and ride free once more.

The poem ends with a haunting image:

And still of a winter's night, they say, when the wind is in the trees,
When the moon is a ghostly galleon, tossed upon cloudy seas,
When the road is a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor,
A highwayman comes riding—
Riding—riding—
A highwayman comes riding, up to the old inn-door.

The Themes

As you can see, "The Highwayman" is a story of love and death, of passion and sacrifice. But it is also a story that explores deeper themes and questions, such as:

• Freedom vs. oppression: The highwayman represents the romantic ideal of freedom and rebellion against authority, while the soldiers represent the force of law and order that seeks to control and punish those who defy it. The poem raises the question of whether it is better to live as a free outlaw, risking death and isolation, or to submit to the rules and restrictions of society, sacrificing personal desires for the sake of the common good.

• Love vs. loyalty: The love between the highwayman and Bess is intense and passionate, but it is also threatened by the loyalty and jealousy of Tim, who wants Bess for himself. The poem explores the conflict between individual desire and social obligation, and shows how love can lead to both joy and tragedy, depending on how it is expressed and fulfilled.

• Life vs. death: The poem is suffused with a sense of mortality and transience, as the characters are constantly reminded of their own mortality and the fleeting nature of their existence. The image of the moon and the wind, which recur throughout the poem, suggest the cycles of life and death, and the eternal return of nature. The poem raises the question of whether life is worth living if it is destined to end in pain and loss.

The Symbols

To deepen the meaning of the poem and create a rich sensory experience, Noyes uses a variety of symbols and metaphors. Here are some of the most significant ones:

• The horse: The black horse that the highwayman rides is a symbol of his power, speed, and freedom. It also represents the force of nature, which cannot be tamed or controlled by human laws. The horse is a recurring image throughout the poem, and its movements and sounds create a sense of rhythmic energy and excitement.

• The moon: The moon is a powerful symbol of beauty, mystery, and change. It represents the cycles of life and death, the ebb and flow of human emotions, and the power of nature to inspire and transform us. The moon is also a romantic symbol, associated with love and passion, and it creates a dreamlike atmosphere in the poem.

• The pistol: The pistol that the highwayman carries is a symbol of his violent and dangerous nature, but also of his ability to defend himself and his loved ones. The pistol represents the conflict between lawlessness and justice, between aggression and protection, and it is a tangible reminder of the risks and rewards of living outside the law.

The Poetic Devices

As a work of poetry, "The Highwayman" is notable for its use of various poetic devices, such as:

• Alliteration: The repetition of initial consonant sounds, such as "wind was a torrent of darkness" and "ribbon of moonlight", creates a musical effect and reinforces the sense of movement and rhythm in the poem.

• Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds, such as "still of a winter's night" and "ghostly galleon", creates a sense of harmony and unity, and also enhances the emotional impact of the poem.

• Rhyme: The use of end rhyme, such as "trees/seas" and "moor/door", creates a sense of closure and resolution, and also helps to unify the different parts of the poem.

• Imagery: The use of vivid and sensory language, such as "torrent of darkness", "ghostly galleon", and "ribbon of moonlight", creates a strong visual and emotional impact, and helps to transport the reader to the world of the poem.

The Interpretation

So, what does "The Highwayman" mean, and why is it still relevant today? There are many possible interpretations of the poem, depending on your perspective and experience. Here are some of the most common ones:

• The poem is a celebration of romantic love, and a warning against the dangers of jealousy and betrayal. It shows how love can inspire us to be brave and selfless, but also how it can lead us to destruction and despair.

• The poem is a critique of social norms and laws, and a call to rebel against authority and oppression. It shows how the highwayman represents the spirit of individualism and freedom, and how the soldiers represent the force of conformity and control.

• The poem is a meditation on the meaning of life and death, and a reminder of the fragility and beauty of existence. It shows how the moon and the wind symbolize the eternal cycles of nature, and how they inspire us to seek meaning and purpose in our brief lives.

The Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Highwayman" by Alfred Noyes is a masterpiece of romantic poetry, which combines a thrilling story, memorable characters, and haunting imagery with rich themes and poetic devices. Whether you read it as a love story, a political allegory, or a philosophical meditation, it is a poem that will stay with you long after you finish it. So, go ahead and ride with the highwayman, feel the wind and the moon, and let yourself be swept away by the power of poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Highwayman: A Classic Poem of Love and Tragedy

Alfred Noyes’ “The Highwayman” is a timeless masterpiece that has captured the hearts of readers for over a century. The poem tells the story of a daring highwayman who falls in love with a beautiful innkeeper’s daughter, only to meet a tragic end. With its vivid imagery, rhythmic language, and haunting themes, “The Highwayman” is a work of art that continues to inspire and move readers today.

The poem begins with a vivid description of the highwayman himself, a dashing figure who rides his horse through the night, his black cloak billowing behind him. The language used to describe the highwayman is rich and evocative, painting a picture of a man who is both dangerous and alluring. The opening lines of the poem set the stage for the drama that is about to unfold:

“The wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees, The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas, The road was a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor, And the highwayman came riding— Riding—riding— The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn-door.”

As the highwayman arrives at the inn, he is immediately drawn to the innkeeper’s daughter, Bess. The two fall in love at first sight, and their romance is described in language that is both passionate and poetic. Noyes’ use of metaphor and imagery is particularly effective in this section of the poem, as he describes the lovers’ emotions in terms of the natural world:

“He kissed her with a wild delight, He kissed her with a fervor of love; He kissed her with a burning kiss That left her trembling and blushing and red.”

Despite their love for each other, the highwayman and Bess are soon caught up in a dangerous plot involving a group of soldiers who are hunting the highwayman. The soldiers arrive at the inn and threaten Bess, demanding that she reveal the highwayman’s whereabouts. In a moment of selfless bravery, Bess warns the highwayman of the soldiers’ plan, sacrificing herself to save him.

The final section of the poem is a heart-wrenching depiction of the highwayman’s tragic end. As he rides to meet Bess, he is ambushed by the soldiers and shot down in a hail of bullets. The language used to describe the highwayman’s death is both vivid and haunting, as Noyes paints a picture of a man who is brave to the end:

“He lay there, the moonlight washing his face, And the highwayman could see through his hair The bullet that lodged in his heart.”

The poem ends with a final image of the highwayman’s ghost, riding through the night on his faithful horse, forever searching for his lost love.

“The Highwayman” is a work of art that is both beautiful and tragic. Noyes’ use of language and imagery is masterful, and his ability to evoke powerful emotions in his readers is unparalleled. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of love, even in the face of danger and death.

One of the most striking features of “The Highwayman” is its use of rhythm and rhyme. The poem is written in a form known as ballad meter, which consists of four-line stanzas with an ABAB rhyme scheme. This form is particularly well-suited to the story that Noyes is telling, as it gives the poem a sense of urgency and momentum that mirrors the highwayman’s own journey.

The use of repetition is also a key element of the poem’s structure. The repeated phrase “riding—riding—” creates a sense of motion and urgency, while the repeated use of the word “love” emphasizes the depth of feeling between the highwayman and Bess. The poem’s use of repetition is a powerful tool that helps to reinforce its themes and create a sense of unity and coherence.

Another important aspect of “The Highwayman” is its use of imagery. Noyes’ descriptions of the natural world are particularly effective, as they help to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. The wind, the moon, and the road all become characters in their own right, adding depth and richness to the poem.

The poem’s use of metaphor is also noteworthy. The highwayman is described as a “black-hearted” rogue, while Bess is compared to a “red-coated troop” of soldiers. These metaphors help to create a sense of conflict and tension between the two lovers, highlighting the danger and risk that their relationship entails.

Finally, the poem’s themes of love and sacrifice are particularly powerful. The love between the highwayman and Bess is portrayed as a force that is both beautiful and tragic, a love that is ultimately doomed by the circumstances of their lives. Bess’ sacrifice is a testament to the power of selflessness and bravery, and her death is a tragic reminder of the cost of love in a dangerous world.

In conclusion, “The Highwayman” is a classic poem that continues to captivate readers today. Its use of language, imagery, and structure is masterful, and its themes of love and sacrifice are timeless. Noyes’ poem is a work of art that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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