Love that doth reign and live within my thought
-- Speaker (Line 1)

Importance: This first line introduces the theme of the poem and its central metaphor. It establishes that this is a love poem, but also that it is a poem about love dominating and controlling someone. It personifies love as a conquering force.

Oft in my face he doth his banner rest
-- Speaker (Line 4)

Importance: This line is significant because it provides an example of how the poem personifies love. Here, the speaker's body is constructed as a battleground, in which love's battle banner can be seen. This might be a metaphorical depiction of blushing, which was considered an indicator of romantic feelings during the era.

She that taught me love and suffer pain
-- Speaker (Line 5)

Importance: Here, the speaker introduces the character of his mistress. This is really all we learn about her in the poem: that he learned how to love from her, but that he also...