Skip to content
Storgy

The Annotated Edition

The Building of the Long Serpent by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Summary, meaning, line-by-line analysis & FAQ.

Read aloud in ~4 minOpen reading mode →

A proud master shipbuilder named Thorberg Skafting is hired by King Olaf to create the greatest ship Norway has ever seen—twice the size of the legendary Dragon.

Poet
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Core theme
Art
The PoemFull text

The Building of the Long Serpent

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Thorberg Skafting, master-builder, In his ship-yard by the sea, Whistling, said, "It would bewilder Any man but Thorberg Skafting, Any man but me!" Near him lay the Dragon stranded, Built of old by Raud the Strong, And King Olaf had commanded He should build another Dragon, Twice as large and long. Therefore whistled Thorberg Skafting, As he sat with half-closed eyes, And his head turned sideways, drafting That new vessel for King Olaf Twice the Dragon's size. Round him busily hewed and hammered Mallet huge and heavy axe; Workmen laughed and sang and clamored; Whirred the wheels, that into rigging Spun the shining flax! All this tumult heard the master,-- It was music to his ear; Fancy whispered all the faster, "Men shall hear of Thorberg Skafting For a hundred year!" Workmen sweating at the forges Fashioned iron bolt and bar, Like a warlock's midnight orgies Smoked and bubbled the black caldron With the boiling tar. Did the warlocks mingle in it, Thorberg Skafting, any curse? Could you not be gone a minute But some mischief must be doing, Turning bad to worse? 'T was an ill wind that came wafting, From his homestead words of woe To his farm went Thorberg Skafting, Oft repeating to his workmen, Build ye thus and so. After long delays returning Came the master back by night To his ship-yard longing, yearning, Hurried he, and did not leave it Till the morning's light. "Come and see my ship, my darling" On the morrow said the King; "Finished now from keel to carling; Never yet was seen in Norway Such a wondrous thing!" In the ship-yard, idly talking, At the ship the workmen stared: Some one, all their labor balking, Down her sides had cut deep gashes, Not a plank was spared! "Death be to the evil-doer!" With an oath King Olaf spoke; "But rewards to his pursuer And with wrath his face grew redder Than his scarlet cloak. Straight the master-builder, smiling, Answered thus the angry King: "Cease blaspheming and reviling, Olaf, it was Thorberg Skafting Who has done this thing!" Then he chipped and smoothed the planking, Till the King, delighted, swore, With much lauding and much thanking, "Handsomer is now my Dragon Than she was before!" Seventy ells and four extended On the grass the vessel's keel; High above it, gilt and splendid, Rose the figure-head ferocious With its crest of steel. Then they launched her from the tressels, In the ship-yard by the sea; She was the grandest of all vessels, Never ship was built in Norway Half so fine as she! The Long Serpent was she christened, 'Mid the roar of cheer on cheer! They who to the Saga listened Heard the name of Thorberg Skafting For a hundred year!

Public domain

Sourced from Project Gutenberg

Study actions

Take the quizStudy sheet (PDF)

§01Quick summary

What this poem is about

A proud master shipbuilder named Thorberg Skafting is hired by King Olaf to create the greatest ship Norway has ever seen—twice the size of the legendary Dragon. When Thorberg secretly makes deep cuts into the nearly finished hull, the king is furious. However, Thorberg then transforms those cuts into a sleeker, more beautiful shape, demonstrating that what seemed like sabotage was actually a stroke of genius. The ship, named the Long Serpent, becomes legendary, and so does the name of the man who built her.

§02Themes

Recurring themes

§03Line by line

Stanza by stanza, with notes

  1. Thorberg Skafting, master-builder, / In his ship-yard by the sea,

    Editor's note

    We meet our hero right away: Thorberg Skafting, whistling to himself and brimming with confidence. Longfellow paints a picture of a bustling shipyard by the sea and quickly reveals that this man has a high opinion of himself — a self-belief that could stem from either arrogance or genius, and we’re still unsure which one it is.

  2. Near him lay the Dragon stranded, / Built of old by Raud the Strong,

    Editor's note

    The old ship Dragon, crafted by the legendary Raud the Strong, rests nearby as a point of reference. King Olaf's order is monumental: construct a new Dragon that is twice the size. This elevates the stakes right away — Thorberg isn't merely building a ship; he's aiming to surpass history itself.

  3. Therefore whistled Thorberg Skafting, / As he sat with half-closed eyes,

    Editor's note

    Thorberg is depicted in the classic pose of a creative mind at work—eyes half-closed, head tilted, mentally envisioning the vessel before even cutting a single plank. The whistling conveys a sense of ease and enjoyment with the challenge, not anxiety. He is truly in his element.

  4. Round him busily hewed and hammered / Mallet huge and heavy axe;

    Editor's note

    Longfellow pulls back the camera to capture the entire yard bustling with activity: axes swinging, mallets thumping, laughter ringing out, singing filling the air, and wheels spinning. The cacophony and vibrant energy are intentionally intense, portraying the shipyard as a lively hub of joyful, almost chaotic work. It’s a tribute to the art of skilled labor.

  5. All this tumult heard the master, -- / It was music to his ear;

    Editor's note

    Where another man might find the noise distracting, Thorberg listens to it as music. His imagination races ahead of the task, suggesting that his name will echo through the ages. This is the poem's initial expression of its core theme: the artist's desire for enduring recognition.

  6. Workmen sweating at the forges / Fashioned iron bolt and bar,

    Editor's note

    The scene shifts to a darker, more primal atmosphere. The boiling tar caldron resembles a warlock's midnight ritual — bubbling, smoking, and almost otherworldly. Longfellow employs this gothic imagery to hint that something foreboding is about to unfold in the story.

  7. Did the warlocks mingle in it, / Thorberg Skafting, any curse?

    Editor's note

    The narrator speaks to Thorberg in a teasing manner, questioning whether dark forces have cursed the project. This rhetorical question heightens suspense and suggests that misfortune is on the horizon — even though it will ultimately stem from human actions.

  8. 'T was an ill wind that came wafting, / From his homestead words of woe

    Editor's note

    Bad news comes from Thorberg's farm, forcing him to leave the shipyard. He provides the workers with thorough instructions before departing. The term 'ill wind' serves as a traditional warning, and this interruption feels like a test from fate to see if the project can endure without its leader.

  9. After long delays returning / Came the master back by night

    Editor's note

    Thorberg returns after a long absence, compelled by a deep yearning for his work. He heads straight to the shipyard and stays through the night—like someone who can't pull himself away from what he's creating. His dedication borders on obsession.

  10. "Come and see my ship, my darling" / On the morrow said the King;

    Editor's note

    King Olaf, blissfully unaware of any issues, invites everyone to come and admire the completed ship. His endearing term 'darling' reveals just how much he cares about the vessel. The dramatic irony is palpable: while the reader picks up on the underlying tension, the king continues to celebrate.

  11. In the ship-yard, idly talking, / At the ship the workmen stared:

    Editor's note

    The discovery: deep gashes run all along the hull. Every plank bears scars. The workmen are left speechless. Longfellow pauses before explaining, allowing the shock to settle in before revealing more.

  12. "Death be to the evil-doer!" / With an oath King Olaf spoke;

    Editor's note

    Olaf's rage is instant and all-consuming — he vows to take vengeance on whoever is responsible and offers rewards to anyone who can identify the culprit. His face turns a deeper shade than his scarlet cloak, a striking detail that makes his anger feel tangible and almost humorous in its intensity.

  13. Straight the master-builder, smiling, / Answered thus the angry King:

    Editor's note

    Thorberg's calm smile amidst the king's rage is the poem's most dramatic moment. He confesses right away, unafraid. That smile reveals it all: he was fully aware of his actions and trusts that the king will come to understand once he sees the outcome.

  14. Then he chipped and smoothed the planking, / Till the King, delighted, swore,

    Editor's note

    Thorberg shapes the gashes into smooth, elegant curves, enhancing the hull's beauty. The king's anger quickly turns to delight and praise. This is the poem's main point: true artistic vision may initially appear destructive until the artist reveals their true intent.

  15. Seventy ells and four extended / On the grass the vessel's keel;

    Editor's note

    Longfellow provides the ship's precise dimensions—seventy-four ells long—and paints a vivid picture of the fierce, gilded figurehead towering above the keel. This attention to detail anchors the legend in reality, allowing the grandeur to feel justified rather than inflated.

  16. Then they launched her from the tressels, / In the ship-yard by the sea;

    Editor's note

    The launch is a success. The Long Serpent glides into the water as the largest ship ever built in Norway. Longfellow brings us back to where we started — the shipyard by the sea — but everything has changed.

  17. The Long Serpent was she christened, / 'Mid the roar of cheer on cheer!

    Editor's note

    The ship earns her famous name, and the poem concludes by reflecting on its earlier prophecy: Thorberg's name is indeed heard for a hundred years, carried on by the saga. The ending feels subtly triumphant — the artist's risk paid off, and the work has endured beyond its time.

§04Tone & mood

How this poem feels

The tone is upbeat and slightly braggadocious, reflecting the hero's character. Longfellow writes with the enthusiasm of a storyteller who truly enjoys sharing the tale — the king's furious outbursts come with a sense of humor, the busy shipyard is depicted with warmth, and there's genuine admiration for skilled craftsmanship. Beneath the lively rhythm lies a more subdued note of respect: this poem strongly believes in the ability of art and hard work to grant a person a kind of immortality.

§05Symbols & metaphors

Symbols & metaphors

The Long Serpent
The ship stands as the heart of artistic achievement. It embodies what a skilled craftsman can create when allowed to pursue his vision fully, even if that vision seems reckless to others.
The gashes in the hull
What may appear as vandalism or sabotage is actually the artist's keen eye for correction. The cuts represent the bold, disruptive action that distinguishes a great artist from a competent one — the readiness to gamble everything on a more compelling idea.
The boiling tar caldron
Compared to a warlock's midnight ritual, the tar cauldron embodies the dark and mysterious, almost supernatural aspects of creation. Crafting something remarkable isn't a clean or comfortable process — it requires fire, smoke, and forces that seem just on the edge of chaos.
Thorberg's whistling
The whistling at the start of the poem expresses a sense of creative confidence and comfort. It shows that Thorberg is in his element, doing what he was meant to do. It captures the essence of someone who is truly engaged and vibrant in their craft.
The hundred years
The phrase "for a hundred years" signifies lasting fame, which is the artist's greatest desire: to be remembered long after they are gone. The poem fulfills this wish by preserving Thorberg's name in its lines.
King Olaf's scarlet cloak
The cloak symbolizes royal power and authority, and the detail of Olaf's face turning redder illustrates just how much the king's composure shatters. This small, comedic image adds a human touch to the powerful, reminding us that even kings can make mistakes.

§06Historical context

Historical context

Longfellow included this poem in his 1863 collection *Tales of a Wayside Inn*, which is a frame-narrative inspired by Chaucer's *Canterbury Tales*, featuring a group of travelers who share stories. The story of Thorberg Skafting references the Old Norse *Heimskringla*, a saga compiled by Snorri Sturluson in the thirteenth century, documenting the construction of the actual Long Serpent for King Olaf Tryggvason around 999 AD. Throughout his career, Longfellow had a strong interest in Norse and Scandinavian themes — his earlier works, *The Skeleton in Armor* and the epic *The Song of Hiawatha*, reflect his fascination with legend and oral tradition. By the 1860s, amid the turmoil of the American Civil War, poems that honored heroic craftsmanship and enduring achievements suggested a deeper message: that human creativity persists despite conflict and destruction.

§07FAQ

Questions readers ask

Is the story of Thorberg Skafting real or did Longfellow make it up?

The story is real—or at least as real as a medieval saga gets. Snorri Sturluson documented it in the Heimskringla, a collection of Norse kings' sagas penned around 1230 AD. Thorberg Skafting is mentioned as the master-builder of the Long Serpent, King Olaf Tryggvason's renowned warship, and the part about the damaged hull and the king's anger is included in the original text. Longfellow adapted it faithfully, preserving the key details and transforming the prose into a ballad.

What is the Long Serpent and why was it famous?

The Long Serpent (Ormen Lange in Norse) was King Olaf Tryggvason's flagship in Norway, built around 999 AD. At about seventy-four ells long — between 115 and 130 feet — she was the largest warship of her time in Scandinavia. Her legend grew not only from her impressive size but also from her involvement in the Battle of Svolder in 1000 AD, where Olaf faced a coalition of foes and the ship was ultimately captured. The saga tradition ensured her name endured for centuries.

Why did Thorberg cut gashes in the hull? Was he trying to sabotage the ship?

No — it was quite the opposite of sabotage. Thorberg made the cuts because he spotted a flaw in the hull's shape that nobody else had seen, and he realized that the only way to fix it was to cut deep and re-smooth the planking. He did it secretly because he knew that explaining the idea beforehand would have been more difficult than just demonstrating the outcome. The 'destruction' was actually the first step toward improvement.

What does the poem say about the relationship between art and authority?

The poem places that tension at its core. King Olaf can order the ship's construction and Thorberg's execution, but he lacks the artistic insight that Thorberg possesses. The master-builder challenges royal authority — doing so with calmness and a smile — because he believes in his own vision more than he fears the king's wrath. Ultimately, he proves to be correct. The poem implies that true creative skill grants a form of authority that surpasses mere rank.

What poetic form does Longfellow use?

The poem uses trochaic tetrameter — lines that begin with a stressed syllable and contain four beats each — featuring a consistent ABAB or ABCB rhyme scheme in its five-line stanzas. This lively, driving meter resembles what Longfellow employed in The Song of Hiawatha, fitting the theme perfectly: it evokes the feel of a chant or work-song, reflecting the rhythm of hammers and axes in the shipyard.

What is the poem's main theme?

At its core, the poem explores the artist's longing for enduring fame and the bravery required to pursue a vision that others might not yet recognize. Thorberg puts his life on the line to improve the ship beyond its initial design. The reward isn't solely the king's approval; it’s also the promise the poem makes from the very beginning: to be remembered for a century. Longfellow presents artistic greatness as both a personal ambition and a legacy for future generations.

Who is King Olaf and why does he matter to the story?

King Olaf Tryggvason ruled Norway from 995 to 1000 AD and stands out as one of the most captivating figures in Norse saga literature. He was celebrated for his physical prowess, his aggressive push to convert Norway to Christianity, and his dramatic death at the Battle of Svolder. In the poem, he acts as the patron and authority figure whose judgment Thorberg seeks to challenge. His rapid transition from furious anger to joyful praise is both humorous and enlightening—it illustrates that even formidable leaders can learn from a skilled craftsman.

Where does this poem appear in Longfellow's work?

It’s one of the stories in Tales of a Wayside Inn (1863), a collection centered on a group of travelers at a Massachusetts inn who share stories in verse. The Musician narrates this specific tale. The collection also features Paul Revere's Ride, which was included in the same first volume and gained much more fame. However, the Norse tales in the collection reflect Longfellow's enduring passion for Scandinavian legend.

Citation

Cite this poem

MLA

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "The Building of the Long Serpent." Storgy, https://storgy.com/poems/the-building-of-the-long-serpent-henry-wadsworth-longfellow/.

APA

Longfellow, H. W. (n.d.). The building of the long serpent. Storgy. https://storgy.com/poems/the-building-of-the-long-serpent-henry-wadsworth-longfellow/

TeacherAP Lit Q1 scaffold — preview

Row A — Thesis

1 pt

In 'The Building of the Long Serpent,' Longfellow uses the arc of Thorberg Skafting's apparent act of sabotage to argue that true artistic mastery cannot be recognized or completed without the artist's own audacious intervention, even when …

  • Row B — Evidence + Commentary4 pts
  • Row C — Sophistication1 pt
  • Common student errors
Unlock the full scaffold

Available on any Storgy plan — model paragraphs, band callouts, and common student errors for every poem.

The study desk

Teaching materials and reference tools prepared for this poem.

InteractiveSelf-test

Take the quiz on this poem

Test your reading directly on the page — instant scoring, no signup, no printing.

ReferenceMLA · APA · Chicago

Cite this poem

A properly formatted citation for your essay or bibliography, typeset by deterministic rules — no AI involved.

Adjacent texts in the archive

More by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Browse all Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poems →

Themes in this poem

Poems about ArtPoems about CouragePoems about IdentityPoems about Memory

Craft in this poem

Kenning

Compared with

Compare this poem with any other →

Poetry tools

Analyze another poem →Rate your own poem →Check rhyme & meter →