The Highwayman (poem)
Overview
 
"The Highwayman" is a narrative poem written by Alfred Noyes
Alfred Noyes
Alfred Noyes was an English poet, best known for his ballads, "The Highwayman" and "The Barrel-Organ".-Early years:...

, first published in the August 1906 issue of Blackwood's Magazine
Blackwood's Magazine
Blackwood's Magazine was a British magazine and miscellany printed between 1817 and 1980. It was founded by the publisher William Blackwood and was originally called the Edinburgh Monthly Magazine. The first number appeared in April 1817 under the editorship of Thomas Pringle and James Cleghorn...

. The following year it was included in Noyes' collection, Forty Singing Seamen and Other Poems, becoming an immediate success.
The poem, set in 18th century England, tells the story of a nameless highwayman
Highwayman
A highwayman was a thief and brigand who preyed on travellers. This type of outlaw, usually, travelled and robbed by horse, as compared to a footpad who traveled and robbed on foot. Mounted robbers were widely considered to be socially superior to footpads...

 who is in love with Bess, a landlord's (innkeeper) daughter. Betrayed to the authorities by Tim, a jealous ostler (stableman), the highwayman escapes ambush when Bess sacrifices her life to warn him.
 
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