Summary

The speaker asks his beloved Lucasta not to tell him he is being unkind to leave the quiet and peaceful pleasure of her company in going to war. His new “mistress” is the enemy he must fight in the wars (6). He will no longer embrace her, but instead “a sword, a horse, a shield” (8). He concludes by reminding her that he would not be able to fully love her if he did not love honor even more than he loves her.

Analysis

This poem presents an image of idealized masculinity, and particularly the version associated with, promoted by, and identified with the “cavalier poets.” This school of poets were courtiers, loyal to King Charles I and to the traditional English values of monarchy, stability, and courtesy that he represented. “Cavalier poet” was not a term this group chose for themselves, but rather a scornful...