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. HELPS TO STUDY. Notes and Questions. What message did Paul Revere bear? Read an account of the battle of Lexington and observe how nearly this poem is true to history. Who were John Hancock and Samuel Adams? What does the second stanza tell you? The seventh stanza? Does this poem call your attention chiefly to the horse, the rider, or the message? Sketch a map locating Boston, Charlestown, Medford, Lexington, Concord. Words and Phrases for Discussion. "the fate of a nation was riding that night" "gaze at him with a spectral glare" "the spark struck out by that steed in his flight kindled the land into flame with its heat" "sombre" "red-coats" "fearless and fleet" * * * * * THE LEAP OF ROUSHAN BEG HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW Mounted on Kyrat strong and fleet, His chestnut steed with four white feet, Roushan Beg, called Kurroglou, Son of the road and bandit chief, Seeking refuge and relief, Up the mountain pathway flew. Such was the Kyrat's wondrous speed, Never yet could any steed Reach the dust-cloud in his course. More than maiden, more than wife, More than gold and next to life Roushan the Robber loved his horse. In the land that lies beyond Erzeroum and Trebizond, Garden-girt, his fortress stood; Plundered khan, or caravan Journeying north from Koordistan, Gave him wealth and wine and food. Seven hundred and fourscore Men at arms his livery wore, Did his bidding night and day; Now, through regions all unknown, He was wandering, lost, alone, Seeking, without guide, his way. Suddenly the pathway ends, Sheer the precipice descends, Loud the torrent roars unseen; Thirty feet from side to side Yawns the chasm; on air must ride He who crosses this ravine. Following close in his pursuit, At the precipice's foot Reyhan the Arab of Orfah Halted with his hundred men, Shouting upward from the glen, "La Illáh ilia Alláh!" Gently Roushan Beg caressed Kyrat's forehead, neck and breast; Kissed him upon both his eyes, Sang to him in his wild way, As upon the topmost spray Sings a bird before it flies. "O my Kyrat, O my steed, Bound and slender as a reed, Carry me this peril through! Satin housings shall be thine, Shoes of gold, O Kyrat mine, O thou soul of Kurroglou!