Poetry · Chapter

LXXIX explained

The speaker recounts playing a game of chess with the Princess, who falls asleep and dreams of Master Hubert.

What happens

The speaker recounts playing a game of chess with the Princess, who falls asleep and dreams of Master Hubert.

Dreams and Escape
The Princess falls asleep and dreams, suggesting an escape from waking reality.

Princess
Plays chess with the speaker, falls asleep, and dreams of Master Hubert.
Unknown
The speaker who plays chess with the Princess and observes her dream.

“She cried for chess⁠—I play’d a game with her⁠— Castled her king with such a vixen look, It bodes ill to his Majesty”
She demanded a game of chess, and I played with her; I checkmated her king with a fierce expression, which foretells trouble for the king.
The chess game is described with playful menace.
“The Princess fell asleep, and, in her dream, Talk’d of one Master Hubert, deep in her esteem.”
The Princess fell asleep and in her dream spoke of a Master Hubert, whom she held in high regard.
The dream reveals the Princess's admiration for Master Hubert.