The Speaker (The Lover): The speaker of the poem is an aged lover. He is deeply in love and speaks to someone who criticizes him. He tells that person to stop judging his love and to mind their own business. The speaker believes his love is pure, spiritual, and even holy. He says that his love hurts no one. His love makes him and his beloved one soul. He feels that their love is strong enough to make them “saints of love.”

The Beloved (The Lady): She is the woman whom the speaker loves deeply. Though she does not speak in the poem, we learn about her through the speaker’s words. She is his perfect partner in love. The speaker describes their love as equal and spiritual. They are like “the eagle and the dove.” It shows both strength and peace. Together, they are like the “phoenix,” a mythical bird.

The Listener (The Critic or the World): This is the person or people the speaker talks to at the beginning. The listener represents society, those who mock or question his love. The speaker tells them to mind their own business. He tells them to let him love, because his love is not harmful to anyone or anything.