Summary for the poem "A Slave's Dream": The Slave's Dream by H.W. Longfellow portrays the lost dreams and ambitions of a slave. This slave is captivated by the images of his family and native land. He collapses and dreams about his "Native Land" where he was the king pre-slavery in an African nation, the river Niger nearby. He is embraced by his queen and children, a scene which is enough to melt his eyes. He rode majestically over his royal stallion, via landmarks, smiling at nature and the voices of wild animals. Once we are back into reality the slave no more feels the whips nor the tormenting heat. Death overrode his dreams "Illuminating his Land of Sleep". Darkness symbolises despair. Death illuminates his Land of Sleep, bringing a new ray in his life as freedom of his soul, although his body remains as a slave.