What does I first surmised the horses heads mean?

The phrase "I first surmised the horses heads" signifies the speaker's initial inference or guess about the direction the horses pulling the carriage were facing. It implies a significant journey is underway, with the destination being a concept as vast as eternity itself.

Breaking Down the Phrase

This line is a key moment of realization for the speaker in their journey. Let's explore its components:

• "I first surmised": This indicates that the speaker made an initial deduction or observation. It wasn't a certainty, but an inference based on what they saw or felt. "Surmised" suggests an intelligent guess rather than a definite knowing.
• "the horses heads": Refers to the physical orientation of the horses pulling the carriage. In the context of the journey with Death, these horses are not just pulling a vehicle; they are guiding the speaker towards their ultimate fate.
• "Were toward Eternity": This crucial detail, though implied in the full context of the poem, reveals the direction. The horses' heads were oriented towards "Eternity." This suggests that eternity is not a place already arrived at, but rather a distant horizon, a destination still ahead. The speaker is in transit, moving towards a timeless state that has not yet been fully reached.

Journey Towards Eternity

The implication of the horses' heads pointing "toward Eternity" is profound. It emphasizes that the journey depicted is one of transition, not immediate arrival. The speaker is on a path that extends infinitely, with eternity serving as a continuous, unreached objective. This highlights a state of perpetual movement towards the unknown, with the precise manner of arrival remaining unspoken.

This line encapsulates a moment of deep reflection on the nature of life, death, and the transition into what lies beyond, all seen through the lens of a continuous, purposeful journey.