Loyal hearts (metaphor)
Queen Elizabeth I is sure that people will not betray and will not leave her alone on the battlefield. She gives the whole security and power to her faithful hearts. Elizabeth trusts her “loyal hearts”. These hearts is a metaphor of her people. Every heart of a warrior is very kind and strong; every heart loves its queen.
Even in the dust (metaphor)
Talking with her people, Queen Elizabeth I says that she is ready “to lay down her honor and blood in the dust” for the sake of her God, kingdom, and people. This moment shows the queen’s devotion. To lay down honor and blood in the dust means to die for the sake of other people. The queen is ready to sacrifice herself.
Growth of dishonor (metaphor)
“The growth of dishonor” is a metaphor for disgrace and disrespect. Queen Elizabeth I is afraid that her people will abandon her because of her cowardice or will start to disrespect her because of their defeat. Therefore, Elizabeth tries to encourage her troop in every possible way. She wants to fight together with her people against their enemy.
