To Summer by William Blake | Explanation | Summary | To Summer Key Points | William Blake Biography | Word Meaning | Questions Answers | Critical Appreciation | Themes | Free PDF Download – Easy Literary Lessons
To Summer
(William Blake)
O Thou who passest thro’ our vallies in
Thy strength, curb thy fierce steeds, allay the heat
That flames from their large nostrils! thou, O Summer,
Oft pitched’st here thy golden tent, and oft
Beneath our oaks hast slept, while we beheld
With joy, thy ruddy limbs and flourishing hair.
Beneath our thickest shades we oft have heard
Thy voice, when noon upon his fervid car
Rode o’er the deep of heaven; beside our springs
Sit down, and in our mossy vallies, on
Some bank beside a river clear, throw thy
Silk draperies off, and rush into the stream:
Our vallies love the Summer in his pride.
Our bards are fam’d who strike the silver wire:
Our youth are bolder than the southern swains:
Our maidens fairer in the sprightly dance:
We lack not songs, nor instruments of joy,
Nor echoes sweet, nor waters clear as heaven,
Nor laurel wreaths against the sultry heat.
To Summer by William Blake: YouTube Link
To Summer Analysis
O Thou who passest thro’ our vallies in
Thy strength, curb thy fierce steeds, allay the heat
That flames from their large nostrils! thou, O Summer,
Oft pitched’st here thy golden tent, and oft
Beneath our oaks hast slept, while we beheld
With joy, thy ruddy limbs and flourishing hair.
Explanation: In these opening lines of To Summer, William Blake personifies the season of Summer as a powerful figure passing through the valleys with immense strength. The speaker calls on Summer to restrain (“curb”) its intensity, symbolized by fierce steeds (horses), whose fiery breath (“heat that flames from their large nostrils”) represents the overwhelming heat of summer. Blake vividly describes Summer as pitching a “golden tent” in the valleys and resting under the oaks, suggesting a close, harmonious relationship between Summer and nature. The “ruddy limbs and flourishing hair” depict Summer as full of life, robust and radiant, while the people (“we”) watch with joy and admiration.
Poetic Device
Personification: Summer is personified as a strong, living being with human-like qualities. It “passes,” “curbs,” “pitches tents,” “sleeps,” and has physical features like “ruddy limbs” and “flourishing hair.” This brings the season to life, making it more relatable and vivid.
Imagery: The poem uses rich visual imagery, like “flames from their large nostrils,” “golden tent,” “ruddy limbs,” and “flourishing hair,” to evoke a sense of the season’s heat, beauty, and vitality. These images create a vivid mental picture of summer’s strength and brilliance.
Apostrophe: The speaker addresses Summer directly, with the repeated use of “O” (e.g., “O Summer”), a common feature of apostrophe. This device makes the poem feel like a conversation or plea directed toward the season.
Metaphor: The “fierce steeds” represent the intense heat of summer, while “flames from their large nostrils” is a metaphor for the oppressive heat associated with the season. Summer’s heat is compared to the power and fire of wild horses.
Symbolism: The “golden tent” symbolizes the sun or the warmth of summer, while “ruddy limbs” and “flourishing hair” symbolize vitality and growth during the season.
Beneath our thickest shades we oft have heard
Thy voice, when noon upon his fervid car
Rode o’er the deep of heaven; beside our springs
Sit down, and in our mossy vallies, on
Some bank beside a river clear, throw thy
Silk draperies off, and rush into the stream:
Our vallies love the Summer in his pride.
Explanation: In this passage, Blake continues to personify Summer as a vibrant and powerful figure. The speaker recalls hearing Summer’s “voice” under the shade of trees, a poetic way of describing the sounds of nature during the height of summer. The mention of “noon upon his fervid car” refers to the sun at its peak in the sky, riding across heaven like a charioteer in blazing heat, reinforcing the idea of Summer’s intense presence.
Blake invites Summer to relax and enjoy the cool natural surroundings: beside springs, in mossy valleys, or on the banks of clear rivers. The image of Summer casting off its “silk draperies” and rushing into the stream suggests the shedding of heat and the refreshing embrace of nature. The lines close with the declaration that the valleys themselves take pride in Summer’s strength and abundance, further emphasizing the harmonious relationship between the season and the land.
Poetic Device
Personification: Summer is given human characteristics, such as having a “voice” and being able to “throw thy silk draperies off” and “rush into the stream.” This enhances the reader’s connection to Summer as a living, almost godlike figure.
Metaphor: “Noon upon his fervid car” is a metaphor comparing the sun at noon to a charioteer, emphasizing the sun’s intense heat as it rides across the sky. This enhances the imagery of summer’s power and dominance during midday.
Imagery: The poem is rich with sensory imagery, such as “thickest shades,” “fervid car,” “mossy vallies,” “river clear,” and “silk draperies.” These details help to create a vivid and serene picture of a summer landscape and the natural beauty it holds.
Symbolism: “Silk draperies” symbolize the luxuriousness and beauty of Summer, while the act of throwing them off suggests a return to nature, shedding excess to embrace the simple, refreshing elements of the environment.
The “stream” symbolizes purity and renewal, reflecting the cooling relief that comes from escaping the heat of Summer.
Our bards are fam’d who strike the silver wire:
Our youth are bolder than the southern swains:
Our maidens fairer in the sprightly dance:
We lack not songs, nor instruments of joy,
Nor echoes sweet, nor waters clear as heaven,
Nor laurel wreaths against the sultry heat.
Explanation: In these concluding lines, Blake shifts the focus from the natural landscape and Summer itself to the people of the valley. The speaker proudly describes the cultural richness of their society. The “bards” (poets or musicians) are renowned for their talent, specifically for “strik[ing] the silver wire,” a reference to playing musical instruments, possibly stringed ones like the lyre or harp. The speaker praises the youth for their boldness and bravery, surpassing that of the “southern swains” (youths or shepherds from the South). The maidens are also celebrated for their beauty and skill in the “sprightly dance,” highlighting the joy and vibrancy of the community.
Blake emphasizes that the valley is abundant in joy and artistic expression, with no shortage of “songs” or “instruments of joy.” Nature itself seems to echo this joy with “echoes sweet” and “waters clear as heaven,” suggesting a harmonious relationship between the people and their environment. The “laurel wreaths against the sultry heat” are symbolic of victory or protection, further emphasizing the people’s triumph over Summer’s intense heat.
Poetic Device
Imagery: The poem is filled with rich imagery that appeals to the senses: the “silver wire” evokes the sound of music, “sprightly dance” suggests lively movement, and “waters clear as heaven” paints a picture of pure, pristine nature. This helps create a vivid picture of a vibrant and harmonious community.
Parallelism: Blake uses parallel structure in the lines describing the community’s bards, youth, and maidens (“Our bards are fam’d… Our youth are bolder… Our maidens fairer…”). This structure emphasizes the distinct qualities of the people and unifies their cultural achievements in a balanced, rhythmic way.
Symbolism: The “laurel wreaths” symbolize victory, achievement, and honor. In ancient times, laurel wreaths were awarded to victors in various competitions, so here they represent triumph over the heat of Summer and the strength of the people.
Anaphora: Blake uses anaphora through the repetition of “our” and “nor” at the beginning of successive lines. The repetition of “our” highlights the collective pride of the valley’s people, while “nor” emphasizes the abundance of joy, music, and beauty they possess. This literary device enhances the poem’s rhythmic flow and reinforces its celebratory tone.
To Summer Summary
William Blake’s poem To Summer was first published in 1789 as part of his collection Poetical Sketches. This early collection showcased a range of Blake’s lyrical works, often delving into themes like nature, human emotion, and spirituality.
In To Summer, William Blake personifies Summer as a powerful and vibrant force of nature, portraying its arrival and presence in a pastoral landscape. The poem begins by addressing Summer directly, describing it as a strong figure passing through the valleys with intense heat. The speaker asks Summer to restrain its fiery intensity, comparing it to a charioteer riding wild horses whose “large nostrils” breathe flames. Despite its fierce power, Summer is also depicted as a familiar and cherished guest, having often “pitched its golden tent” and rested peacefully beneath the oaks, admired by those who live in the valley.
As the poem progresses, Blake shifts from emphasizing Summer’s power to its relationship with nature. The speaker invites Summer to relax beside springs and rivers, casting off its “silk draperies” and cooling off in the stream. This imagery suggests a harmonious connection between the season and the natural world, with the landscape embracing Summer’s presence.
In the final stanza, Blake celebrates the people of the valley. The bards are famous for their musical talents, the youth are bold, and the maidens are fair and graceful in their dances. The valley is portrayed as abundant in joy, music, and natural beauty, with “echoes sweet” and “waters clear as heaven.” Even in the face of the season’s intense heat, the people and the land thrive, adorned with “laurel wreaths” as symbols of victory and honor.
Overall, the poem paints a vivid picture of the powerful yet beloved presence of Summer and the harmonious relationship between nature, the season, and the people who celebrate its glory and beauty.
