Allegiance is, as it were, the essence of law; it is the chain of faith.

Explanation

Allegiance is the reciprocal bond between the sovereign and the subject — the sovereign protects, the subject obeys, and this mutual obligation is the foundation of lawful government.

Where this applies

• A citizen owes allegiance to the government and the government owes protection in return.
• Someone claims they do not owe any duty to the country of their birth.