Comes the Highwayman

The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes, a brooding tale of old England has forever found a place in literary history. Noyes was a genius. He easily, in two pages or so, created the life, love and death of two lovers. Only two pages is all he needed to describe the adventures of a thief, his love, and his death. The poem tells you about Bess, even Tim, but who was the Highwayman? Bess, his lover, was clearly described. We even have a glimpse of Tim who also loved Bess and obviously hated the outlaw. But who was the Highwayman? Why was he a highwayman? And what about the others? Hell, at one dark window, the Landlord, even the king's men. It appears Noyes, as a talented writer should, left a good part of this story to the readers imagination. What is "Comes the Highwayman? It is a love story, though a tragic one. An adventure tale, as life in those days of old England should be. And lastly, a tale of murder, treachery, romance and revenge. It is an effort to dig deeper into the poem, giving readers possible answers to questions about the poem. Along with the highwayman you may even discover a pirate or two. For the traditionalist, if my take on the story behind the poem offends you, there will be no apologies. After all, it is only fiction.