But Only Three in All God’s Universe (Sonnet 2)

Song Meaning

This sonnet paints a picture of an intensely private, almost divinely ordained connection between two people, shattered by a divine curse. The speaker emphasizes the exclusivity of their shared moment, stating only God, the beloved, and themselves were privy to a crucial word. This shared intimacy is then brutally interrupted by God’s own decree, which blinds the speaker, severing their ability to see the object of their affection. The core tension lies in the paradox of a bond so strong it feels eternal, yet so fragile it can be broken by divine will. The speaker laments that even death would have been a less absolute separation than this enforced blindness. The word "Nay" from God carries a weight far exceeding any human rejection, highlighting the devastating finality of this divine intervention. The craft here is in the stark contrast between the imagined permanence of their connection and the sudden, absolute severance. The speaker lists insurmountable barriers like mountains and seas, only to dismiss them as powerless against their bond. Yet, the divine curse, described as darkening eyelids and “amerce[ing] my sight,” renders all these physical barriers irrelevant by making the beloved invisible. This lyrical construction makes the emotional impact so profound because it elevates their relationship to a cosmic level, only to have that very cosmos inflict the wound.