To Althea, from Prison Loyalty Quotes Page 1
(Line)
| Quote #1 When flowing cups pass swiftly round |
The speaker and his friends' devotion—loyalty—to their king is fiery and powerful, to say the least. The phrase "loyal flames" suggests as much. At the same time, the word "flame" implies that there might be something dangerous about their loyalty. Like, being put in prison, maybe?
| Quote #2 When, like committed linnets, I |
The speaker goes all-out in these lines, referring to the king's "sweetness, mercy, majesty" and his "glories." This is a bold statement of the speaker's loyalty and praise. In addition, the lines themselves are "sweet." Notice the pleasing alliteration (the words that begin with s and m) and the consonance (the l sound) used here.
| Quote #3 When I shall voice aloud how good |
Publicly proclaiming one's loyalty ("voice aloud") can be a source of great freedom and power. When the speaker does just that, he is more free and powerful than "enlargèd winds."
