# III explained — Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral

> Chapter companion for Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral by Phillis Wheatley.

## What happens

The speaker praises Britannia's inviting climate and charms, and calls upon Neptune to fulfill a promise, expressing a prayer for safe passage or favorable outcome.

## Character check-ins

### Britannia

Addressed as the welcoming figure with serene climes and unnumber'd charms.

### Neptune

Invoked to keep a promise and record the speaker's prayer.

## Key lines

> To court thee to Britannia’s arms Serene the climes and mild the sky, Her region boasts unnumber’d charms, Thy welcome smiles in ev’ry eye.

The speaker invites Britannia to embrace them, describing her land as peaceful and beautiful, with everyone greeting her warmly.

_The speaker uses personification to depict Britannia as a welcoming and desirable realm._

> Thy promise, Neptune keep, record my pray’r, Not give my wishes to the empty air.

The speaker asks Neptune to fulfill his promise and record the prayer, hoping it will not be in vain.

_A classical allusion to Neptune as the god of the sea, reflecting a plea for safe voyage or divine favor._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters