Roses

Roses symbolize beauty. The symbol of roses as the most beautiful of flowers was already in popular use at the time of the poem's authorship. Rosamund's name adds extra layers of impact to this symbol.

The River

The river represents the passage into death. Made famous in Greek mythology by the River Styx, the idea that the journey into the afterlife is a river voyage is popular in many cultures. Rosamund uses the same metaphor.

The Pen

The pen represents the power of writing. Rosamund repeatedly implores the writer to take up his pen and tell her story, echoing the aphorism that the pen is mightier than the sword.

Eyes

Eyes symbolize connection between people. In early modern writing, the eyes or the gaze were a stock symbol of sexual or romantic attraction. However, in Daniel's poem, they also represent other kinds of connection: for example...