Even now that Care which on thy Crowne attends / and with thy happy greatnes dayly growes
-- Speaker (Lines 1 – 2)

Importance: This is an unusual beginning for a poem of praise. Sidney does not start by offering respect or admiration for Elizabeth, but instead by offering sympathy. She reflects that, as much as Elizabeth's "greatnes"--her political power, her socially admirable qualities, her reputation--increases, so, too, do her many responsibilities. The "care" in the poem's first line (and operative title, though Sidney did not give the poem a title) is the worry and responsibility that lies on Elizabeth's shoulders, which the speaker both admires and pities.

Europe acts in theise most active times
-- Speaker (Line 8)

Importance: This line reveals the speaker's attitude towards her historical moment. This poem was written in 1588. This was a particularly notable year in English history: an enormous fleet of 130 ships sailed from Spain, at the time the world's leading naval power, for England...