The Summons
The poem describes a scene where the speaker is summoned to appear before a judge on judgment day. The speaker reflects on their life and realizes that they have been given many opportunities but has squandered them. They are now being called to account for their actions, and they fear that they will be found wanting.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1827 · Genre: Poetry, Religious, Social Commentary · 229 words
First lines
MY ear is full of summer sounds, Of summer sights my languid eye; Beyond the dusty village bounds I loiter in my daily rounds, And in the noon-time shadows lie.
I hear the wild bee wind his horn, The bird swings on the ripened wheat, The long green lances of the corn Are tilting in the winds of morn, The locust shrills his song of heat.
Another sound my spirit hears, A deeper sound that drowns them all; A voice of pleading choked with tears, The call of human hopes and fears, The Macedonian cry to Paul!
The storm-bell rings, the trumpet blows; I know the word and countersign; Wherever Freedom's vanguard goes, Where stand or fall her friends or foes, I know the place that should be mine.
What this Textopian page supports
The Summons is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1827 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: John Greenleaf Whittier
- Date: 1827 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Religious, Social Commentary, Nature, Inspirational
- Length: 229 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Summons by John Greenleaf Whittier
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Summons?
- How does this poem by John Greenleaf Whittier fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Requirement by John Greenleaf Whittier
- Hymn by John Greenleaf Whittier
- The Friends Burial by John Greenleaf Whittier
- The Homestead by John Greenleaf Whittier
- Aftermath by Emily Dickinson
- The Martyrs by Emily Dickinson
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhythm and meter typical of poetry.
- Religious — Themes of spiritual struggle, divine calling, and moral duty are central to the text.
- Social Commentary — The poem addresses societal issues such as freedom and human responsibility.
- Nature — Imagery of nature and seasonal elements is prevalent throughout the work.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Nature Poetry · Mortality · Death · Loss · Grief · Family · Relationships · Love · Friendship