Get out the microscope, because we’re going through this poem line-by-line.
Lines 2657-2668
Love is and was my Lord and King,
And in his presence I attend
To hear the tidings of my friend,
Which every hour his couriers bring.
Love is and was my King and Lord,
And will be, tho' as yet I keep
Within his court on earth, and sleep
Encompass'd by his faithful guard,
And hear at times a sentinel
Who moves about from place to place,
And whispers to the worlds of space,
In the deep night, that all is well.
- Love (now the emotion personified, and not his bestie) rules over Tennyson. Through Love, he will hear his friend.
- And remember who else is associated with Love in the poem? That's right—it's the Big Guy himself: Jesus. ("Lord" is the big tip-off here.)
- Here, Love works on two levels. It refers to both Arthur as well as the eternal love of Jesus and Christianity.
- Tennyson is reassured by love that everything is going to be all right.
- He's also reassured by his faith (Love = Jesus) that it will all end well, and with a bigger plan.