At the beginning of part 2, the third of these metaphors is varied slightly. The troop of redcoats comes marching to the inn to set a trap for the highwayman:

In both cases, the road is compared to a ribbon, though in the first image it is shining in the moonlight, which suggests a ribbon of iridescent satin, gleaming against the background of purple heather. "Gypsy" women often sold ribbons and other such small dressmaking items. The image of the ribbon here also suggests that the road shines and stands out from the dark background, like a ribbon on a dress, and that it curves in a soft, elegant manner over the landscape. This second attribute is further emphasized by the word "looping."

The ribbon is an apposite metaphor, in keeping with the atmosphere of the poem, since the highwayman in the poem is a highly romanticized gentleman-thief who pays great attention to his costume, wearing a lace jabot, a coat of claret-colored velvet, and close-fitting doeskin breeches. The poet pays far more attention to his appearance than that of Bess, the landlord's daughter.