Curfew Must Not Ring Tonight
Encyclopedia
Curfew Must Not Ring Tonight is a narrative poem by Rose Hartwick Thorpe
, written in 1867 and set in the 17th century. It was written when she was 16 years old and first published in Detroit Commercial Advertiser.
rings. Knowing that Oliver Cromwell
will be late in arriving, the young woman begs the old sexton
to prevent the ringing of the curfew bell. When he refuses, she climbs to the top of the bell tower and heroically risks her life by manually stopping the bell from ringing. Cromwell hears of her deed and is so moved that he issues a pardon for Underwood.
The poem was set to music in 1895, by Stanley Hawley and published as sheet music by Robert Cooks and Co. Despite this, three silent film
s based on the poem were made. In two of the films, the title was modified to Curfew Shall Not Ring Tonight. No sound version has been made; however, the poem is quoted at length by Katharine Hepburn
(for comedic effect) in the film Desk Set
(1957).
A later Victorian poem, "Chertsey Curfew" by Montgomerie Ranking, is on a similar theme.
The material upon which Rose Hartwick Thorpe
based her poem is Lydia Sigourney
's article "Love and Loyalty", which appeared posthumously in Peterson's Magazine in September 1865 and which in turn is very likely to have been based on the earlier work "Blanche Heriot
. A legend of old Chertsey
Church", which was published by Albert Richard Smith
in The Wassail-Bowl, Vol. II., in 1843. In this account, the young woman, Blanche Heriot
, has a lover known as Neville Audley, and the action takes place during the Wars of the Roses
in 1471.
An illustrated version of this poem is contained in Fables for Our Time and Famous Poems Illustrated
.
Rose Hartwick Thorpe
Rose Hartwick Thorpe was an American poet. She was born in Mishawaka, Indiana. Among her poems were Curfew Must Not Ring Tonight. She died in San Diego, California. The poem was written while Thorpe resided in Litchfield, Michigan, a small rural town. A bell in the center of the town commemorates...
, written in 1867 and set in the 17th century. It was written when she was 16 years old and first published in Detroit Commercial Advertiser.
Synopsis
The story involves Bessie, a young woman whose lover, Basil Underwood, has been arrested, thrown in prison by the Puritans and sentenced to die that night when the curfew bellCurfew bell
The curfew bell was a bell rung in the evening in Medieval England as the signal for everyone to go to bed.A bell was rung usually around eight o'clock in the evening which meant for them to cover their fires - deaden or cover up, not necessarily put out altogether...
rings. Knowing that Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
will be late in arriving, the young woman begs the old sexton
Sexton (office)
A sexton is a church, congregation or synagogue officer charged with the maintenance of its buildings and/or the surrounding graveyard. In smaller places of worship, this office is often combined with that of verger...
to prevent the ringing of the curfew bell. When he refuses, she climbs to the top of the bell tower and heroically risks her life by manually stopping the bell from ringing. Cromwell hears of her deed and is so moved that he issues a pardon for Underwood.
Related matters
The poem, a favorite of Queen Victoria's, was one of the most popular of the 19th century, but later faded into obscurity.The poem was set to music in 1895, by Stanley Hawley and published as sheet music by Robert Cooks and Co. Despite this, three silent film
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
s based on the poem were made. In two of the films, the title was modified to Curfew Shall Not Ring Tonight. No sound version has been made; however, the poem is quoted at length by Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Houghton Hepburn was an American actress of film, stage, and television. In a career that spanned 62 years as a leading lady, she was best known for playing strong-willed, sophisticated women in both dramas and comedies...
(for comedic effect) in the film Desk Set
Desk Set
Desk Set is a 1957 American romantic comedy film directed by Walter Lang and starring Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn...
(1957).
A later Victorian poem, "Chertsey Curfew" by Montgomerie Ranking, is on a similar theme.
The material upon which Rose Hartwick Thorpe
Rose Hartwick Thorpe
Rose Hartwick Thorpe was an American poet. She was born in Mishawaka, Indiana. Among her poems were Curfew Must Not Ring Tonight. She died in San Diego, California. The poem was written while Thorpe resided in Litchfield, Michigan, a small rural town. A bell in the center of the town commemorates...
based her poem is Lydia Sigourney
Lydia Sigourney
Lydia Huntley Sigourney , née Lydia Howard Huntley, was a popular American poet during the early and mid 19th century. She was commonly known as the "Sweet Singer of Hartford". Most of her works were published with just her married name Mrs. Sigourney.-Early life:Mrs...
's article "Love and Loyalty", which appeared posthumously in Peterson's Magazine in September 1865 and which in turn is very likely to have been based on the earlier work "Blanche Heriot
Blanche Heriot
Blanche Heriot was a legendary heroine from Chertsey, Surrey, whose story was first brought to a wider public in two works by the Chertsey-born Victorian writer Albert Smith.-Background:...
. A legend of old Chertsey
Chertsey
Chertsey is a town in Surrey, England, on the River Thames and its tributary rivers such as the River Bourne. It can be accessed by road from junction 11 of the M25 London orbital motorway. It shares borders with Staines, Laleham, Shepperton, Addlestone, Woking, Thorpe and Egham...
Church", which was published by Albert Richard Smith
Albert Richard Smith
Albert Richard Smith , was an English author, entertainer, and mountaineer.-Biography:Smith was born at Chertsey, Surrey. The son of a surgeon, he studied medicine in London and in Paris, and his first literary effort was an account of his life there, which appeared in the Mirror. He gradually...
in The Wassail-Bowl, Vol. II., in 1843. In this account, the young woman, Blanche Heriot
Blanche Heriot
Blanche Heriot was a legendary heroine from Chertsey, Surrey, whose story was first brought to a wider public in two works by the Chertsey-born Victorian writer Albert Smith.-Background:...
, has a lover known as Neville Audley, and the action takes place during the Wars of the Roses
Wars of the Roses
The Wars of the Roses were a series of dynastic civil wars for the throne of England fought between supporters of two rival branches of the royal House of Plantagenet: the houses of Lancaster and York...
in 1471.
An illustrated version of this poem is contained in Fables for Our Time and Famous Poems Illustrated
Fables for Our Time and Famous Poems Illustrated
Fables for Our Time and Famous Poems Illustrated is a 1940 book by James Thurber. Thurber updates some old fables and creates some new ones of his own too. Notably there is 'The Bear Who Could Take It Or Leave It Alone' about a bear who lapses in into alcoholism before sobering up and going too far...
.