An Horatian Ode upon Cromwell's Return from Ireland

Cromwell’s sword is a symbol of his military might and position as a military leader. Swords, even in the 17th century, were relatively poor weapons. Compared to the more commonly used spears and arrows, swords used more valuable materials and lacked the reach and killing power of simpler weapons. Swords were typically held by members of the upper-class who could afford to buy and carry them. In the poem, the sword also acts as a symbol of Cromwell’s class.

Cromwell’s sword is alone among Cromwell’s armaments. Monarchs, particularly in the English tradition, are depicted holding both a scepter and sword to represent authority and strength, respectively. Cromwell, a military leader, holds only strength over the populace, no authority.

In Marvell’s poem, the speaker uses metaphors to communicate Cromwell’s leadership style. Cromwell is a trained “falcon high” (Line 91) that hunts according to the “falc’ner [who] has her sure” (Line 96). The falconer, in this extended metaphor, represents the English populace who, in a republican government, has command over their ruler.

The metaphor, when expanded to encompass Cromwell’s role in government, is absurd. As the head of state, Cromwell may be “in the republic’s hand” (Line 82) such as a falcon is on a falconer’s, but a bird of prey lacks the rational capability to make decisions.