The first-person narrator of the poem functions as a highly creative and observant entity. As a poet and singer, the speaker catalogs a wide array of topics, from springtime nature and rural festivals to mythology and Christian theology. They serve as a guide preparing the reader for the diverse themes of the broader poetry collection, ultimately expressing a desire to attain eternal peace in Heaven.

Time is a personified, abstract entity representing the omnipresence of change in the world. As a moving, morphing force, it transitions the focus of the verse from bright, springtime imagery into darker, historical, and mythological subjects.

A traditional figure from English folklore, she serves as the queen of the fairies. Her inclusion represents the mystical and imaginative realms of human history, contrasting directly with the earlier realistic nature imagery.

A mythological figure from folklore, he rules the fairy court alongside Queen Mab. He represents the imaginative, non-Christian traditions that populate the diverse catalog of creative subjects.

The divine Christian creator is responsible for the intricate design of the world, including assigning the white of the lilies and the red of the roses. His divine plan pervades every aspect of life and history, culminating in the eternal reward of Heaven.