It employs strong imagery to depict the setting ("the road was a gipsy's ribbon, circling the purple moor-") and repetitive words to emphasize movement ("A red-coat troop came marching-marching-marching-"). The poem also contains many alliterative lines - words that begin with the same letter - which some scholars say enhances its dramatic effect. Its fame is based on several factors. First, it is one of only three English poems written before 1700 to become popular throughout Europe (the others are "Gulliver's Travels" and "Paradise Lost"). Second, it has been interpreted by many poets and musicians since its first publication in 1750. For example, Edward Lear included his own version of the ballad in his book Nonsense Songs and Other Poems (1846). A modern poet who has written his own version of the song is John Dowland. Finally, "The Highwayman" has been used as an example in studies of oral poetry because it is so effective at capturing listeners' attention through its rhythmic structure and vivid images. It is believed that its original author is Sir Thomas Malory, but this is uncertain. What is known for sure is that it was originally published under the name "Wat Tyler," probably around 1512. He was a revolutionary who led an uprising against taxes imposed by King Henry VIII.