Looking back on the reckless confidence of young love, the speaker recalls telling his beloved that Time would never play tricks on them and that even Death, pictured as a highwayman, could not master lovers as defiant as they were. At the time, he insists, these were not empty boasts; they truly believed their love made them fearless. But the final question — “And that was foolish, wasn’t it, my dear?” — reframes everything. The shift is rueful and tender. What once felt like brave prophecy now sounds like innocence. The mood is wistful and gently ironic: love’s certainty is remembered with affection, but also with the ache of knowing it could not keep its promises.
Challenge — Summary
I said, in drunken pride of youth and you That mischief-making Time would never dare Play his ill-humoured tricks upon us two, Strange and defiant lovers that we were. I said that even Death, Highwayman Death, Could never master lovers such as we, That even when his clutch had throttled breath, My hymns would float in praise, undauntedly.
I did not think such words were bravado. Oh, I think honestly we knew no fear, Of Time or Death. We loved each other so. And thus, with you believing me, I made My prophecies, rebellious, unafraid.... And that was foolish, wasn’t it, my dear?