Mark how yond eddy steals away
From the rude stream into the bay;
There, lock'd up safe, she doth divorce
Her waters from the channel's course,
And scorns the torrent that did bring
Her headlong from her native spring.
Now doth she with her new love play,
Whilst he runs murmuring away.
The eddy has a clear personality. She ‘steals’ away and ‘scorns’ the stream; suggesting a woman who is trapped and wants to escape. The stream itself also has a personality. The archaic word ‘rude’ suggests it lacks consideration or subtlety. The conflict is already established.
To My Mistress Sitting by a Rivers Side: An Eddy