A Wraith in the Mist
The speaker asks whether a giant figure in Highland dress on Inchkenneth's shore is Sir Allan McLean, then identifies him as the Rambler and Idler of Bolt Court. He says he would surround himself with a fort if he were the island's laird.
By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow · Genre: Satirical Poetry · 161 words
First lines
"Sir, I should build me a fortification, if I / came to live here. " -- BOSWELL'S Johnson.
On the green little isle of Inchkenneth, / Who is it that walks by the shore, / So gay with his Highland blue bonnet, / So brave with his targe and claymore?
His form is the form of a giant, / But his face wears an aspect of pain; / Can this be the Laird of Inchkenneth? / Can this be Sir Allan McLean?
Ah, no! It is only the Rambler, / The Idler, who lives in Bolt Court, / And who says, were he Laird of Inchkenneth, / He would wall himself round with a fort.
What this Textopian page supports
A Wraith in the Mist is listed on Textopian as a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, dated Date unknown.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Satirical Poetry
- Length: 161 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Wraith in the Mist by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Satirical Poetry — The rhymed portrait contrasts a figure's imposing Highland weapons with his wish to shelter behind a fort.
Tags
Highland dress · mistaken identity · fortifications · comic verse