Tis time to leave the books in dust / And oil th' unused armour's rust
-- Speaker (Lines 5 – 6)

Importance: Here, the speaker introduces the cruel necessity of war. Entering battle requires leaving behind most of the things that make a life valuable and good: art, learning, and self-expression. Books are replaced with armor, and the muses set aside.

...restless Cromwell could not cease
-- Speaker (Line 9 )

Importance: This is the poem's initial characterization of Cromwell. Far from the imagined idea of a heroic leader, this Cromwell is not even in control of himself. It is not that he wants to fight, but that he is unable to stop. This compulsive view of war continues throughout the poem.

For 'tis all one to courage high, / The emulous or enemy
-- Speaker (Lines 17 – 18)

Importance: This line states that it does not matter to Cromwell whether someone is his enemy or he merely envies him (to be "emulous" is to be jealous). This is a fairly...