The Divine Right of Kings
The Divine Right of Kings - meaning Summary
Love as Divine Monarchy
The speaker celebrates a woman named Ellen King by recasting romantic devotion as political obedience. He declares her the sole legitimate monarch and gladly surrenders personal liberty to serve her. Her moral authority is absolute in his eyes, excluding vice and criticism. The poem frames love as willing subjection, claiming that if she rules him, her will is beyond question and therefore cannot be wrong.
Read Complete AnalysesThe only king by right divine Is Ellen King, and were she mine I’d strive for liberty no more, But hug the glorious chains I wore. Her bosom is an ivory throne, Where tyrant virtue reigns alone ; No subject vice dare interfere, To check the power that governs here. O! would she deign to rule my fate, I’d worship Kings and kingly state, And hold this maxim all life long, The King — my King — can do no wrong.
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