Stanza I
My lute awake! perform the last
Labour that thou and I shall waste,
And end that I have now begun;
For when this song is sung and past,
My lute be still, for I have done.
These lines suggest a sense of finality and completion. The speaker is asking his lute to perform one last labor, acknowledging that once the song is sung and past, his lute can be still because the task is done. It conveys a feeling of accomplishment and the end of a creative endeavor. It’s like saying, “Let’s give it our all, and when it’s over, we can rest knowing we’ve finished.”
Stanza II
As to be heard where ear is none,
As lead to grave in marble stone,
My song may pierce her heart as soon;
Should we then sigh or sing or moan?
No, no, my lute, for I have done.
These lines describe the power of the speaker’s song to reach someone’s heart, even if there is no physical ear to hear it. The speaker compares his song to lead piercing through a marble stone, emphasizing its ability to deeply affect someone. The question of whether to sigh, sing, or moan suggests that the speaker is contemplating the appropriate emotional response to his song’s impact. However, he ultimately decides that there is no need for such expressions because his song has already achieved its purpose. It’s like saying, “My song will touch her heart, so there’s no need for additional emotions.”
Stanza III
The rocks do not so cruelly
Repulse the waves continually,
As she my suit and affection;
So that I am past remedy,
Whereby my lute and I have done.
These lines talk about the rejection and cruelty that the speaker experiences in his pursuit of someone’s love and affection. The speaker compares the relentless repulsion of waves by rocks to the way his suit and affection are consistently rejected by the person he desires. The phrase “past remedy” suggests that the speaker feels there is no hope or solution to his situation. This leads him to conclude that both he and his lute have reached the end of their efforts. It’s like saying, “The person I love rejects me so harshly, just like rocks repulse waves. I feel hopeless, and there’s nothing more I can do.”
Stanza IV
Proud of the spoil that thou hast got
Of simple hearts thorough Love’s shot,
By whom, unkind, thou hast them won,
Think not he hath his bow forgot,
Although my lute and I have done.
These lines address the pride that someone feels for the spoils she has obtained by capturing the hearts of innocent people through the power of love. The speaker acknowledges that this person has won over these hearts in an unkind manner. However, the speaker warns her not to think that Love has forgotten about her and her actions. Even though the speaker and his lute have finished their endeavors, Love’s influence and consequences will still remain. It’s like saying, “You may be proud of the hearts you’ve won through love’s influence, but don’t think you’re off the hook. Love hasn’t forgotten, and its consequences will still be felt.”
Stanza V
Vengeance shall fall on thy disdain
That makest but game on earnest pain.
Think not alone under the sun
Unquit to cause thy lovers plain,
Although my lute and I have done.
These lines highlight the idea that vengeance will befall the person who treats the pain of others as mere amusement. The speaker warns this person not to think that she is the only one who can cause suffering. She is reminded that his lover will not remain silent in his distress, even though the speaker and his lute have finished their part. It’s like saying, “You will face the consequences of your actions, as those you have hurt will seek vengeance. Don’t think you can cause pain without repercussions, even though my lute and I have finished our role.”
Stanza VI
Perchance thee lie wethered and old
The winter nights that are so cold,
Plaining in vain unto the moon;
Thy wishes then dare not be told;
Care then who list, for I have done.
These lines emphasize the idea that one’s desires and wishes may remain unspoken and unheard when they are old and weathered, especially during the cold winter nights. The speaker suggests that during this time, it doesn’t matter who cares or pays attention because he has already finished his part. It’s like saying, “When you’re old and alone, your wishes may go unspoken and unheard. It doesn’t matter who cares then, because I have already done what I could.”
Stanza VII
And then may chance thee to repent
The time that thou hast lost and spent
To cause thy lovers sigh and swoon;
Then shalt thou know beauty but lent,
And wish and want as I have done.
These lines suggest that there may come a time when the person mentioned in the poem will feel regret for the time she has wasted causing her lover to sigh and suffer. She will come to realize that beauty is temporary and fleeting, and she will experience the same desires and longings that the speaker has already gone through. It’s like saying, “You may someday regret the time you’ve wasted causing your lovers pain. You will understand that beauty is temporary and feel the same desires and wants that I have already experienced.”
Stanza VIII
Now cease, my lute; this is the last
Labour that thou and I shall waste,
And ended is that we begun.
Now is this song both sung and past:
My lute be still, for I have done.
These lines indicate that the speaker is bringing his song to an end. He instructs his lute to cease playing, as this is the last labor or effort he will waste on this matter. The speaker declares that what he began has now reached its conclusion. The song has been sung and is now in the past, and the speaker tells his lute to be still because his part in this is done. It’s like saying, “I’m ending this song now. We won’t waste any more time on it. It’s finished, and I’m telling my lute to stop playing because I have completed my part.”
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