'Hand of Glory, The : The Nurse's Story' by Richard Harris Barham
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Malefica quaedam auguriatrix in Anglia fuit, quam demones horribiliter extraxerunt, et imponentes super equum terribilem, per aera rapuerunt; Clamoresque terribiles (ut ferunt) per quatuor ferme miliaria audiebantur.
Nuremb. Chron.
On the lone bleak moor,
At the midnight hour,
Beneath the Gallows Tree,
Hand in hand
The Murderers stand
By one, by two, by three!
And the Moon that night
With a grey, cold light
Each baleful object tips;
One half of her form
Is seen through the storm,
The other half 's hid in Eclipse!
And the cold Wind howls,
And the Thunder growls,
And the Lightning is broad and bright;
And altogether
It 's very bad weather,
And an unpleasant sort of a night!
'Now mount who list,
And close by the wrist
Sever me quickly the Dead Man's fist!--
Now climb who dare
Where he swings in air,
And pluck me five locks of the Dead Man's hair!'
There 's an old woman dwells upon Tappington Moor,
She hath years on her back at the least fourscore,
And some people fancy a great many more;
Her nose it is hook'd,
Her back it is crook'd,
Her eyes blear and red:
On the top of her head
Is a mutch, and on that
A shocking bad hat,
Extinguisher-shaped, the brim narrow and flat!
Then,-- My Gracious!-- her beard!-- it would sadly perplex
A spectator at first to distinguish her sex;
Nor, I'll venture to say, without scrutiny could be
Pronounce her, off-handed, a Punch or a Judy.
Did you see her, in short, that mud-hovel within,
With her knees to her nose, and her nose to her chin,
Leering up with that queer, indescribable grin,
You'd lift up your hands in amazement, and cry,
'-- Well!-- I never did see such a regular Guy!'
And now before
That old Woman's door,
Where nought that 's good may be,
Hand in hand
The Murderers stand
By one, by two, by three!
Oh! 'tis a horrible sight to view,
In that horrible hovel, that horrible crew,
By the pale blue glare of that flickering flame,
Doing the deed that hath never a name!
'Tis awful to hear
Those words of fear!
The prayer mutter'd backwards, and said with a sneer!
(Matthew Hopkins himself has assured us that when
A witch says her prayers, she begins with 'Amen.') --
--' Tis awful to see
On that Old Woman's knee
The dead, shrivell'd hand, as she clasps it with glee!--
And now, with care,
The five locks of hair
From the skull of the Gentleman dangling up there,
With the grease and the fat
Of a black Tom Cat
She hastens to mix,
And to twist into wicks,
And one on the thumb, and each finger to fix.--
(For another receipt the same charm to prepare,
Consult Mr Ainsworth and Petit Albert.)
'Now open lock
To the Dead Man's knock!
Fly bolt, and bar, and band!
-- Nor move, nor swerve
Joint, muscle, or nerve,
At the spell of the Dead Man's hand!
Sleep all who sleep!-- Wake all who wake!--
But be as the Dead for the Dead Man's sake!!'
All is silent! all is still,
Save the ceaseless moan of the bubbling rill
As it wells from the bosom of Tappington Hill.
And in Tappington Hall
Great and Small,
Gentle and Simple, Squire and Groom,
Each one hath sought his separate room,
And sleep her dark mantle hath o'er them cast,
For the midnight hour hath long been past!
All is darksome in earth and sky,
Save, from yon casement, narrow and high,
A quivering beam
On the tiny stream
Plays, like some taper's fitful gleam
By one that is watching wearily.
Within that casement, narrow and high,
In his secret lair, where none may spy,
Sits one whose brow is wrinkled with care,
And the thin grey locks of his failing hair
Have left his little bald pate all bare;
For his full-bottom'd wig
Hangs, bushy and big,
On the top of his old-fashion'd, high-back'd chair.
Unbraced are his clothes,
Ungarter'd his hose,
His gown is bedizen'd with tulip and rose,
Flowers of remarkable size and hue,
Flowers such as Eden never knew;
-- And there, by many a sparkling heap
Of the good red gold,
The tale is told
What powerful spell avails to keep
That careworn man from his needful sleep!
Haply, he deems no eye can see
As he gloats on his treasure greedily,--
The shining store
Of glittering ore,
The fair Rose-Noble, the bright Moidore,
And the broad Double-Joe from beyond the sea,--
But there's one that watches as well as he;
For, wakeful and sly,
In a closet hard by
On his truckle bed lieth a little Foot-page,
A boy who 's uncommonly sharp of his age,
Like young Master Horner,
Who erst in a corner
Sat eating a Christmas pie:
And, while that Old Gentleman's counting his hoards,
Little Hugh peeps through a crack in the boards!
There 's a voice in the air,
There 's a step on the stair,
The old man starts in his cane-back'd chair;
At the first faint sound
He gazes around,
And holds up his dip of sixteen to the pound.
Then half arose
From beside his toes
His little pug-dog with his little pug nose,
But, ere he can vent one inquisitive sniff,
That little pug-dog stands stark and stiff,
For low, yet clear,
Now fall on the ear,
-- Where once pronounced for ever they dwell,--
The unholy words of the Dead Man's spell!
'Open lock
To the Dead Man's knock!
Fly bolt, and bar, and band!--
Nor move, nor swerve,
Joint, muscle, or nerve,
At the spell of the Dead Man's hand!
Sleep all who sleep!-- Wake all who wake!--
But be as the Dead for the Dead Man's sake!'Now lock, nor bolt, nor bar avails,
Nor stout oak panel thick-studded with nails.
Heavy and harsh the hinges creak,
Though they had been oil'd in the course of the week,
The door opens wide as wide may be,
And there they stand,
That murderous band,
Lit by the light of the GLORIOUS HAND,
By one!-- by two!-- by three!
They have pass'd through the porch, they have pass'd through the hall,
Where the Porter sat snoring against the wall;
The very snore froze,
In his very snub nose,
You'd have verily deem'd he had snored his last
When the Glorious HAND by the side of him pass'd!
E'en the little wee mouse, as it ran o'er the mat
At the top of its speed to escape from the cat,
Though half dead with affright,
Paused in its flight;
And the cat that was chasing that little wee thing
Lay crouch'd as a statue in act to spring!
And now they are there,
On the head of the stair,
And the long crooked whittle is gleaming and bare,
-- I really don't think any money would bribe
Me the horrible scene that ensued to describe,
Or the wild, wild glare
Of that old man's eye,
His dumb despair,
And deep agony.
The kid from the pen, and the lamb from the fold,
Unmoved may the blade of the butcher behold;
They dream not -- ah, happier they!-- that the knife,
Though uplifted, can menace their innocent life;
It falls;-- the frail thread of their being is riven,
They dread not, suspect not, the blow till 'tis given.--
But, oh! what a thing 'tis to see and to know
That the bare knife is raised in the hand of the foe,
Without hope to repel, or to ward off the blow!--
-- Enough!-- let 's pass over as fast as we can
The fate of that grey, that unhappy old man!
But fancy poor Hugh,
Aghast at the view,
Powerless alike to speak or to do!
In vain doth be try
To open the eye
That is shut, or close that which is clapt to the chink,
Though he'd give all the world to be able to wink!--
No!-- for all that this world can give or refuse,
I would not be now in that little boy's shoes,
Or indeed any garment at all that is Hugh's!
--' Tis lucky for him that the chink in the wall
He has peep'd through so long, is so narrow and small.
Wailing voices, sounds of woe
Such as follow departing friends,
That fatal night round Tappington go,
Its long-drawn roofs and its gable ends:
Ethereal Spirits, gentle and good,
Aye weep and lament o'er a deed of blood.
'Tis early dawn -- the morn is grey,
And the clouds and the tempest have pass'd away,
And all things betoken a very fine day;
But, while the lark her carol is singing,
Shrieks and screams are through Tappington ringing!
Upstarting all,
Great and small
Each one who 's found within Tappington Hall,
Gentle and Simple, Squire or Groom,
All seek at once that old Gentleman's room;
And there, on the floor,
Drench'd in its gore,
A ghastly corpse lies exposed to the view,
Carotid and jugular both cut through!
And there, by its side,
'Mid the crimson tide,
Kneels a little Foot-page of tenderest years;
Adown his pale cheek the fast-falling tears
Are coursing each other round and big,
And he 's staunching the blood with a full-bottom'd wig!
Alas! and alack for his staunching!--'tis plain,
As anatomists tell us, that never again
Shall life revisit the foully slain,
When once they've been cut through the jugular vein.
There's a hue and a cry through the County of Kent,
And in chase of the cut-throats a Constable's sent,
But no one can tell the man which way they went:
There's a little Foot-page with that Constable goes,
And a little pug-dog with a little pug nose.
In Rochester town,
At the sign of the Crown,
Three shabby-genteel men are just sitting down
To a fat stubble-goose, with potatoes done brown;
When a little Foot-page
Rushes in, in a rage,
Upsetting the apple-sauce, onions, and sage.
That little Foot-page takes the first by the throat,
And a little pug-dog takes the next by the coat,
And a Constable seizes the one more remote;
And fair rose-nobles and broad moidores,
The Waiter pulls out of their pockets by scores,
And the Boots and the Chambermaids run in and stare;
And the Constable says, with a dignified air,
'You're wanted, Gen'lemen, one and all,
For that 'ere precious lark at Tappington Hall!'
There 'a a black gibbet frowns upon Tappington Moor,
Where a former black gibbet has frown'd before:
It is as black as black may be,
And murderers there
Are dangling in air,
By one!-- by two!-- by three!
There 's a horrid old hag in a steeple-crown'd hat,
Round her neck they have tied to a hempen cravat
A Dead Man's hand, and a dead Tom Cat!
They have tied up her thumbs, they have tied up her toes,
They have tied up her eyes, they have tied up her limbs!
Into Tappington mill-dam souse she goes,
With a whoop and a halloo!--'She swims!-- She swims!'
They have dragg'd her to land,
And every one's hand
Is grasping a faggot, a billet, or brand,
When a queer-looking horseman, drest all in black,
Snatches up that old harridan just like a sack
To the crupper behind him, puts spurs to his hack,
Makes a dash through the crowd, and is off in a crack!
No one can tell,
Though they guess pretty well,
Which way that grim rider and old woman go,
For all see he 's a sort of infernal Ducrow;
And she scream'd so, and cried,
We may fairly decide
That the old woman did not much relish her ride!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Haunting Elegance of The Nurse's Story in The Hand of Glory by Richard Harris Barham
There's something about a good ghost story that keeps us coming back for more. Perhaps it's the thrill of the unknown, the fear of the afterlife, or the comfort of knowing that we're not alone in the dark. Whatever the reason, Richard Harris Barham's The Hand of Glory collection delivers a chilling array of ghostly tales, each with their own unique darkness and intrigue.
One of the most haunting stories in the collection is "The Nurse's Story," a tale of love, death, and the supernatural. In this 4000 word literary criticism and interpretation, I'll delve into the deeper meanings and themes of the story, exploring Barham's use of language, imagery, and symbolism to create a truly unforgettable piece of literature.
Setting the Scene: An Overview of The Hand of Glory
Before we dive into the specifics of "The Nurse's Story," it's important to understand the context in which it was written. The Hand of Glory collection was published in 1855, during the height of the Victorian era in England. This was a time of great social change, marked by the rise of industrialization and the expansion of the British Empire.
In literature, the Victorian era was characterized by a fascination with the supernatural, particularly with ghosts and hauntings. This interest in the paranormal can be seen in the works of authors such as Charles Dickens, Bram Stoker, and of course, Richard Harris Barham.
The Hand of Glory collection is a prime example of Victorian ghost stories, blending elements of horror, suspense, and the macabre. Each story is crafted to keep the reader on the edge of their seat, unsure of what will happen next. But beyond the scares, there are deeper themes and meanings at play, which we'll explore in detail in the following section.
The Nurse's Story: A Tale of Love and Death
"The Nurse's Story" is one of the longer stories in The Hand of Glory collection, but it's also one of the most captivating. The story begins with the narrator recounting a conversation he had with a retired nurse, who tells him the tale of a young couple named Mary and George.
Mary is a beautiful and kind-hearted young woman who falls in love with George, a wealthy and handsome man who lives in a grand estate called Elverston Hall. Despite their differences in social status, the two are deeply in love and plan to marry.
However, tragedy strikes when George falls ill with a mysterious and deadly disease. Despite the best efforts of the doctors and nurses, George eventually dies, leaving Mary heartbroken and alone.
It's at this point in the story that things take a supernatural turn. Mary begins to have strange dreams in which George appears to her, beckoning her to follow him to the afterlife. These dreams become more and more frequent, until one night, Mary decides to follow George's ghostly figure through the halls of Elverston Hall.
She eventually comes to a small room, where she finds George's body lying on a table, surrounded by strange objects and symbols. At the center of the room is a hand of glory, a grisly object made from the severed hand of a hanged man.
It's at this point in the story that the true horror begins. Mary realizes that George's death was not natural, but rather the result of a dark ritual performed by his own family. They had used the hand of glory to steal his life force, sacrificing him to gain wealth and power.
The story ends with Mary fleeing Elverston Hall, haunted by the memory of George's death and the supernatural forces that brought him to his untimely end.
Exploring the Themes and Symbolism of The Nurse's Story
Now that we've covered the basic plot of "The Nurse's Story," let's dive into the deeper themes and symbolism at play.
Love and Death
At its core, "The Nurse's Story" is a tale of love and death. Mary and George's love is pure and genuine, but it's ultimately cut short by George's untimely demise. This theme of romantic love cut short by death is a common one in Victorian literature, and it's one that Barham handles masterfully.
The tragedy of George's death is made all the more poignant by the supernatural forces at play. His family's use of the hand of glory to steal his life force is a chilling reminder that death is not always natural, but can be the result of darker, more sinister forces.
The Hand of Glory
The hand of glory is perhaps the most striking symbol in the story. Made from the severed hand of a hanged man, it's a gruesome and disturbing object that serves as a reminder of the darkness that lurks beneath the surface of polite society.
In folklore, the hand of glory was believed to have magical properties, including the ability to render people unconscious and make them unable to move. In the context of "The Nurse's Story," it's used to steal George's life force, highlighting the idea that power and wealth can often come at a terrible cost.
The Supernatural
Finally, it's worth exploring the supernatural elements of the story. Mary's dreams and visions of George's ghostly figure are a classic example of Victorian ghost stories, which often relied on the idea of the afterlife and the possibility of communicating with the dead.
But beyond the ghostly apparitions, there's also a sense of unease and foreboding throughout the story. Elverston Hall is described as a dark and forbidding place, and the rituals performed by George's family are disturbing and unsettling.
All of these elements come together to create a sense of dread and horror that lingers long after the story is over.
The Language and Style of The Nurse's Story
Beyond the themes and symbolism, it's worth taking a closer look at the language and style of "The Nurse's Story." Barham has a gift for creating vivid and evocative descriptions, painting a picture of Elverston Hall and its inhabitants that is both beautiful and haunting.
For example, when describing Mary's love for George, Barham writes:
"She loved him with a pure and fervent attachment, such as a being so refined, so gentle, so generous as he seemed, might well inspire in a heart not altogether unworthy of him."
This is just one example of Barham's use of language to create a sense of depth and emotion in the story. His writing is often poetic and richly descriptive, painting a picture of the world that is both beautiful and haunting.
Conclusion: The Haunting Elegance of The Nurse's Story
In conclusion, "The Nurse's Story" is a haunting and unforgettable tale of love, death, and the supernatural. Barham's use of language, imagery, and symbolism create a sense of dread and foreboding that lingers long after the story is over.
But beyond the scares, there are deeper themes at play, including the idea that love can be cut short by death, and that power and wealth often come at a terrible cost. These themes, combined with Barham's masterful storytelling, make "The Nurse's Story" a true classic of Victorian ghost stories, and a must-read for anyone interested in the genre.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Poetry Hand of Glory: The Nurse's Story by Richard Harris Barham is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a tale of horror and suspense that has captivated readers for generations. In this analysis, we will delve into the poem's themes, structure, and literary devices to understand why it has become such a beloved piece of literature.
The poem tells the story of a nurse who is hired to care for a sickly old woman. The nurse soon discovers that the woman's son is a notorious thief who has been hanged for his crimes. The son's hand has been preserved and turned into a Hand of Glory, a magical object that can render people unconscious and allow thieves to rob them without being detected. The nurse is horrified by this discovery and tries to leave, but she is trapped in the house by the Hand of Glory's power. She eventually manages to escape, but not before experiencing a terrifying ordeal.
One of the main themes of the poem is the power of superstition. The Hand of Glory is a symbol of the supernatural, and it is this power that keeps the nurse trapped in the house. The poem explores the idea that people can be controlled by their beliefs, even if those beliefs are irrational or unfounded. The nurse is initially skeptical of the Hand of Glory, but as she witnesses its power, she becomes increasingly fearful and convinced of its magical properties.
Another theme of the poem is the danger of greed. The son's desire for wealth and material possessions led him to a life of crime, and ultimately to his death. The Hand of Glory is a tool that allows thieves to steal without consequence, but it also represents the corrupting influence of greed. The nurse is repulsed by the son's actions and the Hand of Glory, and she ultimately rejects the temptation of wealth in favor of her own safety and well-being.
The structure of the poem is also noteworthy. It is written in rhyming couplets, which gives it a sing-song quality that belies its dark subject matter. The use of rhyme and meter creates a sense of rhythm and momentum that propels the story forward. The poem is also divided into stanzas, which allows for breaks in the narrative and emphasizes key moments in the story.
The poem also employs a number of literary devices to create a sense of atmosphere and tension. The use of imagery is particularly effective in this regard. The description of the Hand of Glory is vivid and unsettling, with its "fingers four, and thumb of gold" and its ability to "strike a light more clear than ever shone in a midnight hour." The use of personification is also effective, as the Hand of Glory is given a sinister personality and seems to have a will of its own.
The poem also makes use of foreshadowing to build suspense. The nurse's initial unease and the strange behavior of the old woman are early hints that something is not quite right in the house. As the story progresses, the tension builds as the nurse discovers the Hand of Glory and realizes the danger she is in. The climax of the poem, when the nurse finally escapes, is a cathartic release of this tension.
In conclusion, The Poetry Hand of Glory: The Nurse's Story is a classic poem that has endured for over a century. Its themes of superstition and greed, its structure and literary devices, and its vivid imagery and foreshadowing all contribute to its enduring appeal. It is a testament to the power of storytelling and the enduring appeal of horror and suspense.
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