'Legend of Hamilton Tighe, The' by Richard Harris Barham


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The Captain is walking his quarter-deck,
With a troubled brow and a bended neck;
One eye is down through the hatchway cast,
The other turns up to the truck on the mast;
Yet none of the crew may venture to hint
'Our Skipper hath gotten a sinister squint!'

The Captain again the letter hath read
Which the bum-boat woman brought out to Spithead--
Still, since the good ship sail'd away,
He reads that letter three times a-day;
Yet the writing is broad and fair to see
As a Skipper may read in his degree,
And the seal is as black, and as broad, and as flat,
As his own cockade in his own cock'd hat:
He reads, and he says, as he walks to and fro,
'Curse the old woman--she bothers me so!'

He pauses now, for the topmen hail --
'On the larboard quarter a sail! a sail!'
That grim old Captain he turns him quick,
And bawls through his trumpet for Hairy-faced Dick.

'The breeze is blowing -- huzza! huzza!
The breeze is blowing -- away! away!
The breeze is blowing -- a race! a race!
The breeze is blowing -- we near the chase!
Blood will flow, and bullets will fly,--
Oh where will be then young Hamilton Tighe?'--

--'On the foeman's deck, where a man should be,
With his sword in his hand, and his foe at his knee.
Cockswain, or boatswain, or reefer may try,
But the first man on board will be Hamilton Tighe!'


Hairy-faced Dick hath a swarthy hue,
Between a gingerbread-nut and a Jew,
And his pigtail is long, and bushy, and thick,
Like a pump-handle stuck on the end of a stick.
Hairy-faced Dick understands his trade;
He stands by the breech of a long carronade,
The linstock glows in his bony hand,
Waiting that grim old Skipper's command.

'The bullets are flying -- huzza! huzza!
The bullets are flying -- away! away!'--
The brawny boarders mount by the chains,
And are over their buckles in blood and in brains:
On the foeman's deck, where a man should be,
Young Hamilton Tighe
Waves his cutlass high,
And Capitaine Crapaud bends low at his knee.

Hairy-faced Dick, linstock in hand,
Is waiting that grim-looking Skipper's command:--
A wink comes sly
From that sinister eye--
Hairy-faced Dick at once lets fly,
And knocks off the head of young Hamilton Tighe!

There's a lady sits lonely in bower and hall,
Her pages and handmaidens come at her call:
'Now haste ye, my handmaidens, haste and see
How he sits there and glow'rs with his head on his knee!'
The maidens smile, and, her thought to destroy,
They bring her a little, pale, mealy-faced boy;
And the mealy-faced boy says, 'Mother dear,
Now Hamilton's dead, I've a thousand a-year!'

The lady has donn'd her mantle and hood,
She is bound for shrift at St. Mary's Rood:--
'Oh! the taper shall burn, and the bell shall toll,
And the mass shall be said for my step-son's soul,
And the tablet fair shall be hung up on high,
Orate pro animâ Hamilton Tighe!'

Her coach and four
Draws up to the door,
With her groom, and her footman, and half a score more;
The lady steps into her coach alone,
And they hear her sigh and they hear her groan;
They close the door, and they turn the pin,
But there's one rides with her that never stept in!
All the way there, and all the way back,
The harness strains, and the coach-springs crack,
The horses snort, and plunge, and kick,
Till the coachman thinks he is driving Old Nick;
And the grooms and the footmen wonder, and say,
'What makes the old coach so heavy to-day?'
But the mealy-faced boy peeps in, and sees
A man sitting there with his head on his knees!

'Tis ever the same, in hall or in bower,
Wherever the place, whatever the hour,
That lady mutters and talks to the air,
And her eye is fixed on an empty chair;
But the mealy-faced boy still whispers with dread,
'She talks to a man with never a head!'

There's an old Yellow Admiral living at Bath,
As grey as a badger, as thin as a lath;
And his very queer eyes have such very queer leers,
They seem to be trying to peep at his ears.
That old Yellow Admiral goes to the Rooms,
And he plays long whist, but he frets and fumes,
For all his knaves stand upside down,
And the Jack of Clubs does nothing but frown;
And the kings, and the aces, and all the best trumps
Get into the hands of the other old frumps;
While, close to his partner, a man he sees
Counting the tricks with his head on his knees.

In Ratcliffe Highway there's an old marine store,
And a great black doll hangs out at the door;
There are rusty locks, and dusty bags,
And musty phials, and fusty rags,
And a lusty old woman, call'd Thirsty Nan,
And her crusty old husband's a hairy-faced man!

That hairy-faced man is sallow and wan,
And his great thick pigtail is wither'd and gone;
And he cries, 'Take away that lubberly chap
That sits there and grins with his head in his lap!'
And the neighbours say, as they see him look sick,
'What a rum old covey is Hairy-faced Dick!'

That Admiral, Lady, and Hairy-faced man
May say what they please, and may do what they can;
But one thing seems remarkably clear,--
They may die to-morrow, or live till next year,--
But wherever they live, or whenever they die,
They'll never get quit of young Hamilton Tighe!

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Legend of Hamilton Tighe: A Masterpiece of Romantic Literature

If you are a fan of romantic literature, then you cannot afford to miss The Legend of Hamilton Tighe, a masterpiece by Richard Harris Barham. Barham was a 19th-century English cleric and author who was famous for his humorous tales and poems. The Legend of Hamilton Tighe is one of his most notable works and is regarded as one of the greatest romantic poems ever written.

This epic poem tells the story of Hamilton Tighe, a young man who is deeply in love with a beautiful woman named Ellen. However, their love is threatened by the interference of Ellen's father, who does not approve of Hamilton and wants her to marry a wealthy and influential man. The poem is filled with suspense, drama, and romance, as Hamilton tries to win Ellen's heart and overcome the obstacles in their path.

One of the most remarkable things about The Legend of Hamilton Tighe is its beautiful and poetic language. Barham was a master of words, and his use of imagery and metaphor is simply breathtaking. He paints vivid pictures of the countryside, the sea, and the sky, creating a world that is both enchanting and mysterious. His descriptions of Ellen's beauty and Hamilton's love for her are so vivid that they are almost tangible.

The poem is also notable for its use of symbolism. The sea, for example, is a recurring motif that represents both the danger and the lure of adventure. It is both a barrier that separates Hamilton and Ellen and a pathway that leads them to each other. Similarly, the stars represent the hope and the promise of a better future, while the moon is a symbol of love and romance.

But perhaps the greatest strength of The Legend of Hamilton Tighe is its timeless message about the power of love. Hamilton and Ellen's love is pure and true, and it is this love that gives them the strength to overcome all obstacles. Their love is not based on wealth, status, or power, but on the simple and profound connection that exists between two people who are meant to be together.

In conclusion, The Legend of Hamilton Tighe is a masterpiece of romantic literature that has stood the test of time. Its beautiful language, powerful symbolism, and timeless message about the power of love make it a must-read for anyone who loves great literature. So if you are looking for a book that will capture your heart and transport you to another world, then look no further than The Legend of Hamilton Tighe.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Legend of Hamilton Tighe is a classic poem written by Richard Harris Barham in the 19th century. This poem is a masterpiece of storytelling, filled with suspense, mystery, and intrigue. It is a tale of love, betrayal, and revenge that has captivated readers for generations.

The poem tells the story of Hamilton Tighe, a young man who falls in love with a beautiful woman named Lady Geraldine. However, their love is not meant to be, as Lady Geraldine is already engaged to another man. Despite this, Hamilton Tighe cannot help but love her and continues to pursue her.

As the story unfolds, we learn that Lady Geraldine's fiancé is a cruel and abusive man who mistreats her. Hamilton Tighe sees this and decides to take matters into his own hands. He challenges Lady Geraldine's fiancé to a duel and kills him, thus freeing Lady Geraldine from her abusive relationship.

However, Hamilton Tighe's actions have consequences. He is arrested and sentenced to death for his crime. Lady Geraldine, who has now fallen deeply in love with Hamilton Tighe, begs for his life to be spared. But her pleas fall on deaf ears, and Hamilton Tighe is executed.

The Legend of Hamilton Tighe is a powerful poem that explores themes of love, loyalty, and justice. It is a story that is both tragic and romantic, and it has inspired countless writers and poets over the years.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of language. Richard Harris Barham was a master of words, and his writing is both beautiful and evocative. He uses vivid imagery and powerful metaphors to bring the story to life, and his descriptions of the characters and settings are incredibly detailed.

For example, in the opening lines of the poem, Barham describes Hamilton Tighe as "the young and fair, the brave and chivalrous." This description immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, and it gives the reader a sense of the kind of person Hamilton Tighe is.

Similarly, Barham's descriptions of Lady Geraldine are equally vivid. He describes her as "the fairest of the fair, the loveliest of the lovely." This description not only highlights Lady Geraldine's physical beauty but also suggests that she is a kind and gentle person.

Another aspect of the poem that is particularly impressive is its structure. The Legend of Hamilton Tighe is written in rhyming couplets, which gives the poem a musical quality. The rhyme scheme is consistent throughout the poem, which helps to create a sense of unity and coherence.

Furthermore, the poem is divided into sections, each of which tells a different part of the story. This structure helps to keep the reader engaged and interested, as it allows the story to unfold gradually.

The Legend of Hamilton Tighe is also notable for its use of symbolism. Throughout the poem, Barham uses various symbols to represent different ideas and themes. For example, the rose is a symbol of love and beauty, while the sword represents violence and conflict.

One of the most powerful symbols in the poem is the gallows. The gallows represent death and justice, and they serve as a reminder of the consequences of Hamilton Tighe's actions. The gallows also symbolize the power of the law and the importance of upholding justice, even in the face of love and passion.

In conclusion, The Legend of Hamilton Tighe is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a powerful and moving story that explores themes of love, loyalty, and justice. Richard Harris Barham's writing is both beautiful and evocative, and his use of language, structure, and symbolism is masterful. This poem is a true masterpiece of storytelling, and it is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry or literature.

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