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The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn-door. 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. His rapier hilt a-twinkle, under the jewelled sky. Over the cobbles he clattered and clashed in the dark inn-yard.
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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;
The poem, set in 18th-century rural England, tells the story of an unnamed highwayman who is in love with Bess, a landlord's daughter. Betrayed to the authorities by Tim, a jealous ostler , the highwayman escapes ambush when Bess sacrifices her life to warn him.
‘The Highwayman’ by Alfred Noyes is a gothic narrative of tells of the story of the highwayman, the red coats who wanted to capture him, and his lover. The poem details the love affair between the highwayman and the landlord’s daughter Bess.
The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn door. 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! His pistol butts a-twinkle, under the jeweled sky. Plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair.
In exploring “The Highwayman” by Alfred Noyes, I’ve discovered a captivating narrative poem that combines romance, tragedy, and adventure. Its unique blend of genres, vivid imagery, and enduring themes of love, betrayal, and sacrifice make it a timeless classic.
A classic poem about a doomed romance between a highwayman and a landlord's daughter. Read the full text, annotations, and analysis of the poem's themes, symbols, and structure.
