Paul Revere's Ride - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The Midnight Ride that Shaped a Nation
Listen, my children, and you shall hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,
On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-Five;
Hardly a man is now alive
Who remembers that famous day and year.
He said to his friend, “If the British march By land or sea from the town to-night, Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry arch Of the North Church tower as a signal light,— One, if by land, and two, if by sea; And I on the opposite shore will be, Ready to ride and spread the alarm Through every Middlesex village and farm, For the country folk to be up and to arm.“
Then he said, “Good-night!“ and with muffled oar
Silently rowed to the Charlestown shore,
Just as the moon rose over the bay,
Where swinging wide at her moorings lay
The Somerset, British man-of-war;
A phantom ship, with each mast and spar
Across the moon like a prison bar,
And a huge black hulk, that was magnified
By its own reflection in the tide.
Meanwhile, his friend, through alley and street,
Wanders and watches with eager ears,
Till in the silence around him he hears
The muster of men at the barrack door,
The sound of arms, and the tramp of feet,
And the measured tread of the grenadiers,
Marching down to their boats on the shore.
Then he climbed the tower of the Old North Church,
By the wooden stairs, with stealthy tread,
To the belfry-chamber overhead,
And startled the pigeons from their perch
On the sombre rafters, that round him made
Masses and moving shapes of shade,—
By the trembling ladder, steep and tall,
To the highest window in the wall,
Where he paused to listen and look down
A moment on the roofs of the town,
And the moonlight flowing over all.
Beneath, in the churchyard, lay the dead,
In their night-encampment on the hill,
Wrapped in silence so deep and still
That he could hear, like a sentinel's tread,
The watchful night-wind, as it went
Creeping along from tent to tent,
And seeming to whisper, “All is well!“
A moment only he feels the spell
Of the place and the hour, and the secret dread
Of the lonely belfry and the dead;
For suddenly all his thoughts are bent
On a shadowy something far away,
Where the river widens to meet the bay,—
A line of black that bends and floats
On the rising tide, like a bridge of boats.
Meanwhile, impatient to mount and ride,
Booted and spurred, with a heavy stride
On the opposite shore walked Paul Revere.
Now he patted his horse's side,
Now gazed at the landscape far and near,
Then, impetuous, stamped the earth,
And turned and tightened his saddle-girth;
But mostly he watched with eager search
The belfry-tower of the Old North Church,
As it rose above the graves on the hill,
Lonely and spectral and sombre and still.
And lo! as he looks, on the belfry's height
A glimmer, and then a gleam of light!
He springs to the saddle, the bridle he turns,
But lingers and gazes, till full on his sight
A second lamp in the belfry burns!
A hurry of hoofs in a village street,
A shape in the moonlight, a bulk in the dark,
And beneath, from the pebbles, in passing, a spark
Struck out by a steed flying fearless and fleet:
That was all! And yet, through the gloom and the light,
The fate of a nation was riding that night;
And the spark struck out by that steed, in his flight,
Kindled the land into flame with its heat.
He has left the village and mounted the steep,
And beneath him, tranquil and broad and deep,
Is the Mystic, meeting the ocean tides;
And under the alders, that skirt its edge,
Now soft on the sand, now loud on the ledge,
Is heard the tramp of his steed as he rides.
It was twelve by the village clock,
When he crossed the bridge into Medford town.
He heard the crowing of the cock,
And the barking of the farmer’s dog,
And felt the damp of the river fog,
That rises after the sun goes down.
It was one by the village clock,
When he galloped into Lexington.
He saw the gilded weathercock
Swim in the moonlight as he passed,
And the meeting-house windows, blank and bare,
Gaze at him with a spectral glare,
As if they already stood aghast
At the bloody work they would look upon.
It was two by the village clock,
When he came to the bridge in Concord town.
He heard the bleating of the flock,
And the twitter of birds among the trees,
And felt the breath of the morning breeze
Blowing over the meadows brown.
And one was safe and asleep in his bed
Who at the bridge would be first to fall,
Who that day would be lying dead,
Pierced by a British musket-ball.
You know the rest. In the books you have read,
How the British Regulars fired and fled,—
How the farmers gave them ball for ball,
From behind each fence and farmyard wall,
Chasing the redcoats down the lane,
Then crossing the fields to emerge again
Under the trees at the turn of the road,
And only pausing to fire and load.
So through the night rode Paul Revere;
And so through the night went his cry of alarm
To every Middlesex village and farm,—
A cry of defiance, and not of fear,
A voice in the darkness, a knock at the door,
And a word that shall echo forevermore!
For, borne on the night-wind of the Past,
Through all our history, to the last,
In the hour of darkness and peril and need,
The people will waken and listen to hear
The hurrying hoof-beats of that steed,
And the midnight message of Paul Revere.
Introduction to "Paul Revere's Ride"
"Paul Revere's Ride" is a celebrated narrative poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, first published in 1860. The poem recounts the famous midnight ride of American patriot Paul Revere on April 18, 1775, during the early days of the American Revolutionary War. This event marked the beginning of the war as Revere rode to warn colonial militias about the approaching British forces.
Historical Context
The poem takes place on the eve of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, pivotal confrontations between the British Army and colonial militias. Revere's mission was to alert the colonial leaders Samuel Adams and John Hancock about the impending British march towards Concord to seize military supplies. His ride symbolizes the spirit of resistance and unity among the colonists against British oppression.
Structure and Style
Longfellow employs a rhythmic and rhyming structure that makes the poem memorable and engaging. Written in trochaic tetrameter, the poem mimics the galloping pace of Revere’s horse, creating a sense of urgency and momentum throughout the narrative.
Detailed Explanation
Stanza 1: The poem opens with an invitation to the reader—“Listen, my children”—to hear the tale of Paul Revere's heroic ride. It sets the historical stage by referencing the date, April 18, 1775, and acknowledges that few people alive remember this significant event.
Stanza 2-3: Revere instructs a friend to signal whether the British are advancing by land or sea using lanterns hung in the North Church tower—"One, if by land, and two, if by sea." This plan highlights the meticulous preparation and coordination involved in the mission. Revere then rows quietly across the Charles River under the cover of night.
Stanza 4-5: The poem vividly describes the ominous presence of the British warship Somerset, portrayed as a "phantom ship" casting prison-like shadows. Meanwhile, Revere’s friend navigates the streets, listening for signs of British movement. The tension builds as he hears the soldiers gathering and marching towards their boats.
Stanza 6-7: The friend ascends the Old North Church's belfry to hang the signal lanterns. The description of the churchyard and its eerie silence adds a haunting atmosphere, emphasizing the gravity of the moment. From his vantage point, he spots the British troops crossing the river.
Stanza 8-9: On the opposite shore, Paul Revere waits anxiously, observing the church tower. Upon seeing the first lantern and then the second, he understands the British are coming by sea. He mounts his horse and begins his urgent journey.
Stanza 10-11: The poem captures the intensity of Revere's ride through darkened villages, where his passing sparks ignite both literal and metaphorical flames of revolution. Each stanza marks his progress through different towns, noting specific times and sensory details like sounds and sights.
Stanza 12-13: As Revere rides through Medford and Lexington, the poem emphasizes the quiet yet tense atmosphere. The imagery of the gilded weathercock and spectral meeting-house windows foreshadows the impending violence. By the time he reaches Concord, the tranquility of nature contrasts sharply with the imminent bloodshed.
Stanza 14-15: The poem concludes by summarizing the subsequent events—the battles where farmers fought back against the British. Longfellow underscores the enduring significance of Revere's ride, portraying it as a timeless call to action in moments of national crisis.
Themes and Symbolism
- Patriotism and Resistance: The poem embodies the spirit of American patriotism and the determination to resist tyranny.
- Sacrifice and Courage: Revere’s bravery and willingness to risk his life for the cause highlight themes of sacrifice and courage.
- Unity and Vigilance: The coordinated efforts of Revere and his compatriots illustrate the importance of unity and vigilance in the face of danger.
Conclusion
"Paul Revere's Ride" is more than a historical recount; it is a stirring tribute to the courage and resolve of those who fought for American independence. Longfellow’s masterful storytelling ensures that Revere’s legacy endures, inspiring future generations to heed the call of duty in times of need.
Key points
This iconic poem captures the urgency and bravery of Paul Revere's midnight journey in 1775, highlighting themes of patriotism, courage, and unity during America's fight for independence; it serves as both historical narrative and inspiration for resilience against oppression.
