Sunrise on the Hills by H.W. Longfellow (Detailed Summary) (Plus One)

Sunrise on the Hills

H.W. Longfellow

Detailed Summary

Stanza 1

The poet is standing on the hill. He sees a brightened sky in the early morning. He describes sky as “heaven's wide arch”. The poet understands that the sun has risen in the east. The sun rays are falling everywhere. The “woods” are glistening with sun rays. Strong winds which the poet calls as “gales” are blowing very softly in the sun-covered valley (“sun-clad vales”). Since the poet is standing on the top of the hill, he feels that clouds are below him. Sun rays even make those clouds beautiful. The poet feels that these clouds are surrounding around trees. He even thinks that these clouds are hiding the beauty of the trees. But the poet can see some pinnacles of these trees. As the clouds go away, he understands that these are pine trees which are “blasted”, “bare” and “cleft”. Finally, the clouds disappear. Now the poet sees a beautiful valley which is glowing brightly below the hill. He closely observes the valley and sees a river whose water is darkened because of the “forest's shade” which means that the sun rays are not falling on the flowing river. But the sun rays shine the “white cascade”. Finally it is morning. The poet can hear the noise of bittern.

Stanza 2

In the beginning of the second stanza, the poet tells the sounds which he hears and what he sees while he is standing on the hills. He hears the dashing of waters. Then he sees how the water whirls and flashes because of the water current. The water flows to a “blue” lake and then to the “silver beach”. There are trees which are bending with a “reach”. Across the valley, one can hear “The music of the village bell” which is echoing everywhere in the hills. Throughout the forest, “wild” horn's sound can be heard. Its voice submerges the merry voices of the villagers. As the stanza ends, smoke comes from below the valley.

Stanza 3

In the third stanza, the poet says that if one is tired of one's worries and has any trauma, nature can heal it. So it is better if one goes for a travelling. Nature can heal one's sorrows and agony. It will teach good lessons to people such as compassion, empathy, living every moment, etc. If one is fed up with one's life, the poet tells that person to go for a trip which will rejuvenate and refresh his mind.