Daybreak
Birds Of Passage. Flight The First
Daybreak - meaning Summary
Dawn's Summons Across Landscapes
Longfellow’s "Daybreak" personifies a wind as a herald of morning that moves from sea to land, rousing sailors, forests, birds, farms, and church bells. The poem maps a communal awakening, using brisk commands and changing tones to show nature and human life responding to dawn. The final image pauses at the churchyard, where the wind bids the dead to remain undisturbed, suggesting a respectful boundary between life and rest.
Read Complete AnalysesA wind came up out of the sea, And said, 'O mists, make room for me.' It hailed the ships, and cried, 'Sail on, Ye mariners, the night is gone.' And hurried landward far away, Crying, 'Awake! it is the day.' It said unto the forest, 'Shout! Hang all your leafy banners out!' It touched the wood-bird's folded wing, And said, 'O bird, awake and sing.' And o'er the farms, 'O chanticleer, Your clarion blow; the day is near.' It whispered to the fields of corn, 'Bow down, and hail the coming morn.' It shouted through the belfry-tower, 'Awake, O bell! proclaim the hour.' It crossed the churchyard with a sigh, And said, 'Not yet! in quiet lie.'
Feel free to be first to leave comment.