Is a stringed lute on which all winds can play,
Is it for this that I have given away
Mine ancient wisdom, and austere control? -
In the third, fourth and fifth line of the poem, the poet distresses over the fact that he has given his “ancient wisdom” and “austere control” in exchange for a lute. That makes it clear that the poet is burdened because of a choice he has made. He wonders if it was worth it, and when realizing it wasn’t, he continues his vexation, mulling over other sides of his life.
I did but touch the honey of romance -
And must I lose a soul's inheritance?
In the last two lines of the poem, the poet is examining his life and what he has done, used and accomplished and learnt. He is seemingly at the end of the road, touching death itself, when he realizes that he hasn’t felt real love. At the same time, he is saddened by the fact that when he loses his soul, he might forget everything he has learnt and experienced in his life soon lost.
Hélas!
«Hélas!» is taken from the French language, and can be directly interpreted to “Alas”, which then again can be defined as a word used to express grief. That shows that the whole poem in fact is one of grief, and sadness, and furthers the reader to believe that he has regretted choices made in his life, since the poem might be translated to a poem made by someone close to death, or close to losing his or her soul.
