A Synopsis of The Highwayman The poem expresses the highwayman's undying love for his lady. It also shows how easy one may accept death for the sake of love. The speaker tells the narrative of a highwayman who falls in love with Bess, the landlord's daughter. Although she loves another man, he cannot die until she does. So the highwayman agrees to wait until after her father dies. When Bess's lover returns from the war dead, the highwayman shoots him to save her pain. The highwayman's speech is written in iambic pentameter, which is the meter used for English poetry. It is difficult to understand because it is not natural language but rather rhyming couplets. However, the speaker's emotions are clear from his tone of voice and the audience would have understood his love story well. Highwaymen were common figures in early 17th-century England. They operated mainly on major roads near towns and cities. Their main weapon was a pistol, although some men carried swords as well. They would stop wealthy travelers in order to rob them. If caught, many people would agree to give up their money rather than be beaten or killed by the robber.