The Nunnery

The nunnery is used metaphorically in the poem to represent a place of quiet rest. The speaker refers to Lucasta’s company as a “nunnerie” (2). This does not mean that Lucasta is literally a nun or in a nunnery, but instead that her presence creates for him a place of solace and removal from the world that normally demands violence from him.

The Mistress

A “mistress” is a symbol of complete devotion (5). In modern times, a mistress is a female partner in an extramarital affair, but in early modern writing, it could refer to any woman to whom one was devoted. Though Lucasta is the speaker’s mistress, this idea is used to demonstrate the importance of battle to him as well.

"A sword, a horse, a shield"

The sword, the horse, and the shield all symbolize military prowess. These were the key items used...