The Highwayman – Alfred Noyes
by PART ONE
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.
He’d a French cocked-hat on his forehead, a bunch of lace at his chin,
A coat of the claret velvet, and breeches of brown doe-skin.
They fitted with never a wrinkle. His boots were up to the thigh.
And he rode with a jewelled twinkle,
His pistol butts a-twinkle,
His rapier hilt a-twinkle, under the jewelled 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.
And 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 red-lipped daughter.
Dumb as a dog he listened, and he heard the robber say—
“One kiss, my bonny sweetheart, I’m after a prize to-night,
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 rose 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 black cascade of perfume came tumbling over his breast;
And he kissed its waves in the moonlight,
(O, sweet black waves in the moonlight!)
Then he tugged at his rein in the moonlight, and galloped away to the west.
PART TWO
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, looping the purple moor,
A red-coat troop 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 at 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 tied her up to attention, with many a sniggering jest.
They had bound a musket beside her, with the muzzle beneath her breast!
“Now, keep good watch!” and they kissed her. She heard the doomed 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, now, 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 to attention, with the muzzle 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 of her veins, in the moonlight, throbbed to her love’s refrain.
Tlot-tlot; tlot-tlot! Had they heard it? The horsehoofs 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 red coats 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 musket, drenched with her own blood!
Not till the dawn he heard 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 on the highway,
Down like a dog on the highway,
And he lay in his blood on the highway, with a bunch of lace at his throat.
. . .
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.
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.
Copyright Credit: n/a
Source: Collected Poems (1947)
INTRODUCTION
Summary of the Poem:
The poem is set on a lonely road during a dark night. A highwayman arrives at an old inn on his horse. He is a brave and handsome outlaw who comes to meet his beloved Bess, the landlord’s daughter. He promises to return after collecting money and tells Bess that he loves her.
A group of King’s soldiers arrives at the inn. They know about the highwayman’s relationship with Bess and decide to use her as a trap to capture him. They tie Bess near a window and place a gun beside her. The soldiers wait silently for the highwayman to return.
Bess understands their plan. She tries to warn the highwayman about the danger. Unable to free herself, she uses her last strength to pull the trigger of the gun and sacrifice her life. The sound of the gunshot warns the highwayman and saves him from the soldiers.
The highwayman learns about Bess’s sacrifice and returns to the inn in anger and grief. He fights against the soldiers but is killed. Later, the poem suggests that their love continues beyond death, as their spirits are reunited.
Main Characters:
- The Highwayman
He is brave, loyal, and deeply in love with Bess. He represents courage and devotion.
- Bess
She is the landlord’s daughter. She is brave, selfless, and sacrifices her life to save the highwayman.
- Tim
Tim is the jealous stableman who informs the soldiers about the highwayman. He plays an important role in the tragedy.
Themes
- Love and Sacrifice
Bess sacrifices her life for the person she loves.
- Courage
Both Bess and the highwayman show great bravery.
- Loyalty
The poem highlights true love and faithfulness.
- Betrayal
Tim’s jealousy leads to betrayal and tragedy.
- Death
Death separates the lovers but their love remains eternal.
Literary Devices
- Imagery
The poet creates strong pictures of the dark road, stormy night, and the lonely inn.
- Simile
“The wind was a torrent of darkness” compares the wind to a powerful flow of water.
- Personification
The wind and road are given human qualities.
- Repetition
Repeated words create rhythm and suspense.
Character Sketch of Bess
Bess is a courageous and devoted woman. She faces a terrible situation when the soldiers capture her, but she does not lose hope. She chooses to sacrifice herself to save the highwayman’s life. Her bravery, loyalty, and love make her the hero of the poem.
Long Answer Questions
- Explain the theme of Love and Sacrifice in The Highwayman.
In Alfred Noyes’s poem “The Highwayman,” the theme of love and sacrifice is presented through the relationship between the highwayman and Bess. Their love is deep, loyal, and selfless. The highwayman risks his life by returning to meet Bess, even though he knows the dangers of being an outlaw. His love for Bess gives him courage and strength.
Bess shows the greatest example of sacrifice in the poem. When the soldiers capture her and use her as a trap to catch the highwayman, she does not think about her own safety. Instead, she tries to protect the man she loves. Although she is tied and unable to escape, she bravely uses the gun to warn the highwayman of the soldiers’ plan. Her sacrifice saves his life but costs her own.
The highwayman is deeply affected by Bess’s death. His return to fight the soldiers shows his love, grief, and desire for justice. His actions also prove his loyalty towards Bess.
Through these tragic events, Noyes shows that true love is not selfish. It involves courage, loyalty, and the willingness to sacrifice for another person. The poem suggests that genuine love can overcome fear and even death. The bond between the highwayman and Bess remains powerful even after their lives end, making their love unforgettable.
- Describe the character of Bess and her importance in the poem.
In Alfred Noyes’s poem “The Highwayman,” Bess is one of the most important characters. She is the landlord’s daughter and the beloved of the highwayman. Bess is shown as a beautiful, loyal, brave, and selfless woman. Her character represents true love, courage, and sacrifice.
Bess deeply loves the highwayman and waits for his return despite knowing the dangers of his life as an outlaw. When the King’s soldiers capture her and make a plan to trap the highwayman, she does not lose hope or become weak. The soldiers tie her near the window and place a gun beside her to force her into helping them capture him. However, Bess chooses to sacrifice her own life rather than betray the person she loves.
With great courage, she manages to warn the highwayman by firing the gun. Her action saves his life but leads to her own death. This sacrifice shows her loyalty, bravery, and devotion.
Bess is important to the poem because she drives the main action and creates the emotional impact of the story. Her sacrifice reveals the power of true love and makes the poem tragic and memorable. Through Bess, the poet presents the idea that love can inspire people to perform acts of great courage and selflessness. She becomes a symbol of love, strength, and sacrifice.
- How does Alfred Noyes create suspense and tragedy in the Poem?
In “The Highwayman,” Alfred Noyes creates suspense and tragedy through his use of setting, imagery, characters, and dramatic events. The poem begins with a dark and mysterious atmosphere. The lonely road, cold wind, and silent night create a feeling of danger and uncertainty. This setting prepares the reader for the tragic events that follow.
The poet builds suspense by introducing the highwayman as a brave but risky character who arrives at the old inn to meet Bess. The readers become curious about what will happen because his life as an outlaw puts him in danger. The arrival of the King’s soldiers increases the tension. Their secret plan to capture the highwayman by using Bess as a trap creates a sense of fear and expectation.
The situation becomes more dramatic when Bess is tied up with a gun placed beside her. The reader wonders how she will escape and whether she can save the highwayman. Noyes increases the suspense by showing Bess’s struggle and her determination to warn him. Her final act of firing the gun creates the turning point of the poem.
The tragedy reaches its peak when the highwayman returns and learns about Bess’s death. Filled with grief and anger, he attacks the soldiers and loses his own life. The deaths of both lovers make the ending deeply emotional.
Through these techniques, Noyes creates a powerful story of love, sacrifice, and tragedy that leaves a lasting impact on readers.
- Discuss the relationship between the Highwayman and Bess.
In Alfred Noyes’s poem “The Highwayman,” the relationship between the highwayman and Bess is based on true love, trust, loyalty, and sacrifice. They share a deep emotional bond that goes beyond ordinary affection. The highwayman, although an outlaw, is shown as a loving and devoted person when he meets Bess at the old inn.
Bess loves the highwayman sincerely and waits for his return despite knowing the dangers connected with his life. Their love is based on faith and understanding. The highwayman promises to return to her, showing his care and commitment. His desire to be with Bess gives him courage and happiness.
The strongest expression of their relationship is seen when Bess sacrifices her own life to save him. When the soldiers use her as a trap, she refuses to betray the highwayman. She bravely warns him by firing the gun, even though it leads to her death. This act proves the depth of her love and loyalty.
After learning about Bess’s sacrifice, the highwayman returns to fight the soldiers. His reaction shows his grief, anger, and devotion towards her. He cannot accept the loss of the person he loves.
Through their relationship, Noyes presents love as powerful and selfless. The bond between the highwayman and Bess represents true love that involves courage, loyalty, and sacrifice. Their tragic story makes their relationship unforgettable.
- Explain the ending of the Poem.
The ending of Alfred Noyes’s poem “The Highwayman” is tragic, emotional, and powerful. After Bess sacrifices her life to warn the highwayman about the soldiers’ trap, the highwayman learns about her death. He is filled with deep sorrow, anger, and a desire for revenge. Unable to accept the loss of Bess, he returns to the inn and attacks the soldiers who caused her death.
The highwayman fights bravely but is eventually killed by the soldiers. His death shows his deep love and loyalty towards Bess. He would rather risk his own life than live without her. The tragedy of both lovers highlights the strength of their bond and the sacrifices they make for each other.
At the end of the poem, the poet suggests a supernatural reunion. The spirits of the highwayman and Bess are shown as continuing to meet beyond death. This ending suggests that true love cannot be destroyed even by death. Their love becomes eternal and remains stronger than the circumstances that separated them.
The tragic ending also emphasizes the themes of love, courage, betrayal, and sacrifice. The death of both characters creates a sense of sadness, but it also shows the beauty and power of their devotion. Through this ending, Noyes leaves readers with the message that genuine love is selfless and can survive beyond the limits of human life.