Watch for me by moonlight,
I'll come to thee by moonlight, though hell should bar the way."
... Yet another example of Optimism and Perseverance is in the poem, "The Highwayman" by Alfred Noyes. The Highwayman shows optimism when he talks to Bess, the Landlord's daughter. "
'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.'"(20-25)
'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.'"(20-25)
The Highwayman shows his love for Bess by telling her that he will be back for her no matter what obstacles or trials and tribulations he must overcome. This is very significant; especially when we learn that King George's men are after the Highwayman because of his crimes. The Highwayman is similar to Dewey Bozella in some ways, as both characters had to be optimistic in the face of injustice to overcome their individual obstacles. (Dewey's obstacle: a wrongful conviction, The Highwayman's obstacle: being with the woman he loved) Since Alfred Noyes casts the Highwayman as the protagonist in the story; we feel pathos for him, believing that he just wants to be with the woman that he loves. While King George's men act despicable and tie Bess up to lure the Highwayman, "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."(35-40)
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."(35-40)
the Highwayman keeps his promise to evade pursuers and get back to Bess. While the Highwayman returning didn't help the protagonists in the story,(Bess shoots herself to warn the highwayman, King George's men shoot him anyway.) it goes to show what you can accomplish when you believe in yourself and don't let anyone get in your way...
